Program Overview

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Course Overview

The course PSYC 437, Advanced Human Memory, covers several types of human memory errors and emphasizes the importance of such errors in understanding memory function. It includes factors in production and avoidance of the errors, phenomenological experiences associated with the errors, and theoretical explanations for the errors and for memory, in general.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,376.40 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,679.00 for international students
• Lecture Start Times: Thursday, 11.00am
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 15
• Availability: Limited entry

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The course is taught by Te Kura Mātai Hinengaro—School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be announced once the course has begun.

About This Course

The content of this course focuses primarily on episodic memory.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course will be able to:

1. Demonstrate advanced learning of and ability to evaluate some methods in memory research.
2. Demonstrate advanced learning of some theoretical concepts in memory research, including the ability to evaluate and apply the concepts.
3. Demonstrate independent (self-directed) study.
4. Demonstrate an ability to summarise information from research articles.
5. Develop and demonstrate advanced writing skills.
6. Demonstrate some ability to generate (and develop) ideas for new memory research and to express those ideas clearly in written form.
7. Describe research at a level appropriate for a layperson.
8. Demonstrate some ability to generate (and develop) multiple ideas for new memory research on a shared theme.
9. Demonstrate an advanced ability to communicate orally.
10. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate similarities and dissimilarities across research articles and topics.

How This Course Is Taught

This course requires in-person attendance for class meetings. The teaching delivery is in the form of a seminar with readings, questions, and discussion. Some teaching will be done in a manner that is more consistent with a lecture-based approach, but interaction is expected. Some teaching may be impromptu based on the interactions in class.

Assessment

• Reading Summary and Research Proposal: 25%
• Thematic Research Proposal: 25%
• Brief Written Summaries: 20%
• Participation: 5%
• Test: 25%

Assessment Dates and Extensions

Assessment dates and information about extensions can be found on the University's online learning environment once enrolled in the course.

Mandatory Requirements

There are no mandatory requirements for this course.

Group Work

Students may be asked to work together during class, and the outcome of these efforts may be assessed as part of the participation assessment.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 23 February 2026 to 5 April 2026
• 20 April 2026 to 31 May 2026

What You'll Need to Get

Students should have a means of taking notes and will need to submit written assessments in hard copy.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.