Sport and Health Psychology, 7.5 Credits

Contents

In this course, a variety of aspects of sport and health psychology are discussed in relation to individual and public health. The course uses a holistic approach that emphasizes the interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors as well as their consequences for sport performance, health, and wellness. The course also discusses concepts underlying performance and health including stress, sleep, and emotions, motivation and adherence, injury prevention and rehabilitation. Moreover, the course deals with issues related to health and sport performance considering multiple disciplines within psychology such as developmental, social, and cognitive psychology, occupational health psychology, positive psychology, and psychophysiology. The course content is presented in a format that promotes students' use of material to explain and interpret approaches to basic research methods and interventions. The course is delivered and assessed in English.

Expected learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
- Explain central theories of aspects within sport and health including links between physical activity and mental health, behavior change and health promotion, as well as optimizing sport performance and wellbeing.
- Identify health and performance mechanisms and outcomes of stress, sleep, and emotion regulation, motivation and adherence, injury prevention and rehabilitation.
- Recognize the influence of individual differences, significant others, and environmental factors in relation to sport and health psychology.
- Understand potential issues with measurement and interventions in sport and health psychology. 

Skills and ability
- Interpret sport and health psychology concepts based on consideration of diversity, culture, and intersectionality.
- Communicate sport and health psychological science orally and in writing.
- Summarize relevant scientific methods and interventions.
- Show ability to communicate about Sport and Health Psychology in English. 

Evaluation ability and approach
- Critically review, interpret, and explain sport and health psychology methods and literature.
- Summarize and discuss sport and health behaviors based on consideration of diversity, culture, and intersectionality.

Required Knowledge

Form of instruction

The pedagogical approach to the course aims to promote students' active learning through the use of lectures (some will be online), seminars, lab based exercises, practical activities, group work, and peer learning. The teaching is campus based. However, substantial teaching resources are provided online and some aspects of communication will be exchanged via the Internet based course platform. This requires specific demands on technical equipment and individuals' IT competence.

The right to receive teaching and supervision applies only during the time period that the student is registered on the course. The course is given in English.

Examination modes

Both written and oral examination will occur. Examination will be performed both individually and in groups.
 
Individually
- Knowledge and understanding is examined by a written exam.
- Skills and abilities are examined in workshops.
- Re-examination is given with an equivalent task within two months of ordinary examination. 

In groups
- Skills, ability, evaluation ability, and approach are examined by a written group report and by oral presentation in groups.
- Re-examination is given with an equivalent task within two months of ordinary examination. 
 
Supplementary re-examination is individually adjusted based on the goal or goals that the student has not reached and takes place at the earliest two weeks after the students have received their results and at the latest two months after the regular examination. Only students who have not received a passing grade are eligible to make revisions in order to pass the exam. Revisions are not allowed for those who have already received a passing grade.
 
Examining elements are indicated in the schedule. All aspects of teaching can be subject to examination. Decision on deviation from type of examination is made by the Director of studies.
 
The grade for the course / each part of the course will be assigned when the written test / tests and all mandatory elements are approved. The possible grades are either 'Pass' or 'Fail'. Students are entitled to rewrite the same examination five times. Students who do not pass the regular examination should be provided an opportunity for further examination according to the University's "Regulations for tests and examinations at the undergraduate and graduate levels." A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it (HF 6 Chap. 22 §). Requests for new examiners are made to the head of the department of Psychology. Students have the right to be examined on the same curriculum as the regular examination at least two occasions up to two years after the first registration.
 
Deviations from the form of examination in the syllabus can be made for a student who has pedagogical support due to disabilities. Individual adjustment of the examination form is determined based on the student's needs. The examination form is adjusted within the framework of the expected learning outcomes of the syllabus. Decision on deviation from the current form of examination is made by the director of studies. After a request from the student the course coordinator shall contact the director of studies, who promptly decides on the adjusted form of examination. The decision is then to be reported to the student.