COURSE PLAN TEMPLATE
Comprehensive Course Plan – EVEN Semester (2022-23)
SECTION I: COURSE INTRODUCTION
Class
6BPSY
Semester
VI
Course title
Environmental Psychology
Course Code
BPSY642C
Total hours in the semester :
75
Total hours/week:
5
Faculty name
Class policies and
guidelines
Rakesh K.R.
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Contact details
rakesh.kr@christuniversity.in
Students should be present in the class before the second bell
Students must be attentive during attendance and respond to roll call. No corrections can be
made once it is submitted.
Late entrants will not be entitled to attendance.
Students should not converse with each other during the class. Students found disturbing the
flow of the class will be marked absent.
Mobile phones should be turned off or put in silent mode and kept in the bag unless permitted by
the teacher under special circumstances. Use of phones in class will lead to confiscation and it
will not be returned.
Proper dress code should be followed. Students found in inappropriate or improper dress code
will be denied entry or asked to leave class and attendance will not be marked.
Students should be respectful towards their classmates. Everyone deserves respect and support.
Students should not disturb the teacher in between the class to go out for any reason. Requesting
permission to answer calls during class is also not allowed.
Students should turn in their work on time. Assignment submission deadlines cannot be
extended. Students should be ready for consequences if not submitted in time.
Students should not negotiate to extend the deadlines for assignment submission
Late submission of the assignment will lead to deduction of 1 mark per day up to 3 days.
Thereafter, assignments will not be accepted.
Course Description
Course Objectives
This course introduces the field of Environmental Psychology. It aims to provide a basic
understanding of the influence of environment on human behavior and wellbeing and how
do human behaviors influence the environment
This course aims to:
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Introduction to the emerging field and subfields of environmental psychology.
Understand the different types of environment and its impact on human behavior and
wellbeing.
Understand the role of the environment on human behavior and wellbeing.
Understand individual and situational factors influencing sustainable behaviour.
CO1 - Identify and explain the basic concepts, issues, subfields and debates in the field of
environmental psychology.
Course Outcomes
CO2 - Identify and explain the different types of environments and its impact on human
behaviour and wellbeing.
CO3 - Outline the factors determining pro-environmental behavior.
SECTION II: WEEKWISE & UNITWISE DESCRIPTION
*S = Synchronous
Week
Unit
Topic(s) Details
Synchronous
(class hours)
List teaching
modalities/activities
Week 1
Week 2
Introduction to
Environmental,
Ecological and
Unit- conservation
Psychology
1
Introduction to
Environmental,
Ecological and
conservation
Psychology
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Course plan discussion
Ice breaking session
Lecture on
introduction to
environmental
psychology
Definition of
environmental
psychology
Four characteristics of
the field of
environmental
psychology (Scope
and challenges)
Doubt clearing session
on the concepts taught
Readings, assignments,
submissions, assessments
Google classroom /
Moodle
Enter details of reference
materials/ activities to be
used
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Duration
Hours
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
5
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Week 3
Foundations of
Ecological
Psychology
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Introduction to
Environmental
perception
wayfinding and
spatial cognition;
Environmental
attitudes;
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Week 4
Foundations of
Ecological
Psychology
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Environmental values;
Justice and the
allocation of natural
resources (3-part
lecture)
Children and nature;
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Week 5
Foundations of
Ecological
Psychology
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Introduction to
emotions and
environment
Place attachment;
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
5
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Week 6
Specific
Environments
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Environment and
identity
Cultural differences in
environmental
engagement
Doubt clearing session
on the concepts taught
Oxford University Press.
Introduction to
concept of specific
environments
Cities;
Residential places
neighborhoods;
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Week 7
Specific
Environments
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Work environments
School environments;
Health care
environments;
Special lecture on
Work environment
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
5
Week 8
Specific
Environments
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Week 9
Environment
and wellbeing
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Week
10
Environment
and wellbeing
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Correctional
environments
Natural landscapes;
Extreme and unusual
environments.
Guest lecture on
natural landscapes,
extreme and unusual
environments
Doubt clearing session
on the concepts taught
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Environmental factors
influencing behaviors:
Noise, Light and
Temperature (2 part
lecture series)
Crowding and
Loneliness;
Response to
environmental
disasters;
Introduction of CIA III
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Introduction to
Therapeutic uses of
nature
Restorative
environments;
Healthy physical
activity and eating
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
5
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Week
11
Environment
and wellbeing
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Week
12
Foundations of
Conservation
psychology
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(Health psychology
lecture series)
Environmental
supports for health
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
The natural
environment in
residential settings
Influences on human
health and function.
Climate change and
wellbeing.
Debate/discussion on
climate change
Doubt clearing session
on the concepts taught
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Psychology and
climate change:
beliefs, impacts, and
human contributions;
The development of
conservation behaviors
in childhood and
youth;
Introduction to
promoting proenvironmental
behavior and overview
of the various
approaches
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
5
Week
13
Foundations of
Conservation
psychology
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Week
14
Individual oriented
approaches:
Information
Campaigns;
Egoistic Approachesprompt based
approach;
contingencies based
approach;
Social-Altruistic
Approaches- Public
Commitments;
Social Norms; Social
Dilemmas;
Biospheric
Approaches;
Campbell paradigm;
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Clayton, S. D. (Ed.).
(2012). The Oxford
handbook of
environmental and
conservation psychology.
Oxford University Press.
Foundations of
Conservation
psychology
5
5
Steg, L. E., Van Den Berg,
A. E., & De Groot, J. I.
(2013). Environmental
psychology: An
introduction. BPS
Blackwell.
Week
15
Foundations of
Conservation
psychology
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environmental
education.
Structural approaches:
infrastructure;
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rewards; penalties;
behavioral
environmental
policies;
choice architecture;
green nudges (Special
lecture on nudge
theory)
Doubt clearing on the
concepts taught
SECTION III: ASSESSMENT AND MAPPING
Assessment outline: The weightage of marks allotted is as follows
CIA I
CIA II
CIA III
ESE
(MSE)
20
25
Class
Total
Participation
20
30
(scaled down
(scaled down from
from 50)
50)
5
100
Mapping: A template to map the Programme Outcomes against the components of assessment is given below (PO to COs):
Programme
Outcomes
Course Outcomes
CO 1
CO 2
CO 3
PO 1
PO 2
PO 3
PO4
PO5
PO6
PO7
PO8
Mapping: A template to map the Learning Outcomes of the course against the components of assessment is given below
(CO to CIAs):
Course Outcomes
Components of assessment
CIA I
CO 1
CO 2
CO 3
MSE
CIA III
ESE
SECTION IV: ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION DESCRIPTION
Assessment
Description
Individual
Assignment Details
CIA IA (5 marks)
CIA IA: Environmental Psychology Conference
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Assignment
description:
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Learning
outcomes:
The student would have to attend any conference with environmental psychology concepts as its theme
(produce certificate)
Observe any two sessions in the conference
Write a report about those two sessions highlighting the new developments, research implications,
limitations/barriers to research, paradigm shifts.
Reflections about the conference proceedings.
Evaluation will happen for 10 marks and be scaled to 5 marks.
Last date of Submission: 24/01/2023
 Awareness about the various research in the field of environmental psychology and allied fields.
 Be a participant in a conference to experience firsthand how a conference is held, organized and
executed.
 Understand how a paper is presented in a conference
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation
Rubric/s:
Presentation (4 marks)
Reflections (3 marks)
Format (3 marks)
Description
Presentation of the two scientific sessions
Observations and reflections are present
APA format is present
Assessment
Description
Individual
Assignment Details
CIA IB (15 marks)
CIA IB: Awareness Video (Group Assignment)
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Assignment
description:
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Create a 3-5 minutes video to spread/enhance awareness and motivate action among laypeople on any
environmental crisis in your campus, neighborhood, or city.
The video can be about a skit/play/song/etc.
Format to be submitted: Video File with report about the topic chosen
Format of the report would be shared at the time of assigning CIA
Topic: Any topic from the syllabus like open-air rubbish incineration or pollution of water-bodies
Last date of Submission: 23/01/2023
Learning
outcomes:
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Familiarize with the physical environments and issues
Apply the environmental psychology theories and evidences to address the environmental issues.
Apply the knowledge of the field to spread/enhance environmental awareness among lay men.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation
Rubric/s:
Description
Observation & presentation skills
(5 marks)
The component of observation and presentation of the issue
(topic chosen) is present in the video
Conceptual clarity (5 marks)
Conceptual clarity related to application of theoretical
knowledge is present
Engagement with audience and
adherence to the guidelines (5
marks)
The video is engaging the audience and at the same time is
adhering the guidelines of the CIA
Assessment
Description
Individual
Assignment Details
CIA III (20 marks)
CIA III: Environmental Psychologist (Individual Assignment)
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Assignment
description:
Learning
outcomes:
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Each student would have to analyze any aspect of the physical environment related to the syllabus.
(E.g. effect of ambient noise on sleep or on workplace productivity; effect of traffic pollution on health
of roadside vendors or auto-drivers)
Provide practical solutions to environmental problem(s) drawing on theories and empirical facts in
context of the problem identified.
Plagiarism check would be mandatory in this assignment.
Submit a written report, organized, and using APA format.
Reflections about the solutions
Last date of Submission: 03/04/2023
 Familiarize with the physical environments and issues
 Apply the environmental psychology theories and evidences to address the environmental issues.
 Apply the knowledge of the field to spread/enhance environmental awareness among lay men.
 Present research supported solutions to real life environmental problems
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation
Rubric/s:
Description
Presentation of Details
(5 marks)
The presentation of details of the topic are present
Clarity of explanation
(5 marks)
Clarity of explanations regarding the topic chosen are present
Critical reflection
(5 marks)
Critical reflections of the student are present
Quality and organization of report
(5 marks)
The report submitted is organized and following APA format