PSYC 3P01:
Facilitating Communication and Critical Thinking in Groups
WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2025-26.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PSYC 3P01 IS A HALF COURSE
THAT WILL BE SPREAD ACROSS THE FULL ACADEMIC YEAR.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PSYC 3P01 IS A HALF COURSE
THAT WILL BE SPREAD ACROSS THE FULL ACADEMIC YEAR.
Students who are interested in leading seminars for PSYC 1F90 must apply to PSYC 3P01, which is an experiential learning course designed to provide upper-year students with the skills and support they need to be successful facilitating group-based discussion. Seminar leaders must be in their third or fourth year of study; consequently people apply for the position at the end of their second or third year. We accept applications from students in any undergraduate program at Brock.
Why Take PSYC 3P01?
Though it is closely connected to the introductory psychology course, PSYC 3P01 is intended to foster several broadly transferable skills, including:
Former 3P01 students tell us that these skills have been critically important to them as they moved on to graduate school or the workforce. We asked former 3F01 student Lewis Lau to tell us a bit about how his experience in the course was beneficial:
Why Take PSYC 3P01?
Though it is closely connected to the introductory psychology course, PSYC 3P01 is intended to foster several broadly transferable skills, including:
- Clear and effective oral communication, as well as active listening
- Creating and implementing strategies for engaging diverse groups
- Critical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- The ability to think on your feet and adapt to a changing environment
Former 3P01 students tell us that these skills have been critically important to them as they moved on to graduate school or the workforce. We asked former 3F01 student Lewis Lau to tell us a bit about how his experience in the course was beneficial:
PSYC 3P01 Class Time and Course Work
PSYC 3P01 is a half course that includes between 55-60 hours of class time, broken down according to the table below. Please note that, though 3P01 is a half course, class time will be spread across the full academic year (September to April).
Course Component |
Time Allocated |
Notes |
Orientation |
8 hours |
This session is mandatory, and will take place September 2, 2025 (8:30-4:30) |
Instructor-led preparation for 1F90 seminars |
22 hours |
1 hour/week for 22 weeks across D2 & D3 (during scheduled class time) |
Peer Observations |
4 hours |
Observing 4 peers' 1F90 seminars (two each during D2 and D3; times TBD) |
D2 3P01 classes |
~12 hours |
approximately 2 hours/week for 6 weeks in D2 (during scheduled class time) |
D3 3P01 classes |
~12 hours |
approximately 2 hours/week for 6 weeks in D3 (deliver TED-Ed talks during scheduled class time) |
There are no exams or major papers in 3P01. Course work will vary from year to year, and will typically include:
Teaching Assistantship (Paid Position)
PSYC 3P01 students will hold a paid contract as a PSYC 1F90 Teaching Assistant. The rate of pay for this position is determined by the current CUPE 4207 Collective Agreement. Paid duties vary from year to year, but typically include:
- Class preparation (readings; assignments), attendance, and participation
- Orientation before the start of classes in September
- Peer assessment of seminar facilitation skills and written report detailing feedback
- Reflection papers
- In-class presentation (Ted-Ed talk)
Teaching Assistantship (Paid Position)
PSYC 3P01 students will hold a paid contract as a PSYC 1F90 Teaching Assistant. The rate of pay for this position is determined by the current CUPE 4207 Collective Agreement. Paid duties vary from year to year, but typically include:
- Leading group discussions for 4 PSYC 1F90 seminars per week
- Reading all seminar materials prior to the weekly instructor-led discussion
- Attending PSYC 1F90 lectures (2 hours per week)
- Proctoring exams in December and April
- Attending grade collation meetings (this requires being on campus until as late as Dec 22 in D2 and April 30 in D3)
- Tracking student attendance and participation and assigning seminar grades
Who Should Apply?
Applicants who are psychology majors will be given priority for positions in the course, but applications from strong students in other majors are welcomed. Successful non-psychology applicants will be given an override into 3P01 if they do not meet all of the course requirements noted in the calendar.
You should not apply for this position if you cannot commit to the time that will be needed (typically about 10-12 hours per week), nor should you apply if you have a required course that conflicts with PSYC 3P01.
The following document from the American Psychological Association may be helpful as you make a decision about whether to apply for this position:
Applicants who are psychology majors will be given priority for positions in the course, but applications from strong students in other majors are welcomed. Successful non-psychology applicants will be given an override into 3P01 if they do not meet all of the course requirements noted in the calendar.
You should not apply for this position if you cannot commit to the time that will be needed (typically about 10-12 hours per week), nor should you apply if you have a required course that conflicts with PSYC 3P01.
The following document from the American Psychological Association may be helpful as you make a decision about whether to apply for this position:
How To Apply
If you are interested in applying to PSYC 3P01, please follow the steps below:
1. Complete the online application form using the following link:
PSYC 3P01 application
2. Submit the following three documents to [email protected].
- Your cover letter in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
- Your resume in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
- A copy of your grades in .pdf format: The grades file should be downloaded from Brock's self serve so that your name is printed by the system at the top of the document. Use the following instructions:
- Load your current marks screen.
- Choose the "Print" option from the top right as the screen.
- Choose "print to PDF" in your print options.
- Note: If you have a lot of courses you may need to load the second page of courses and repeat this process.
Please note: The filenames for each of the documents must include your surname (e.g., SMITHresume.docx, SMITHgrades.pdf).
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WITHOUT EMAILING THESE THREE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Please feel free to contact Tammy Stewart ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
The deadline for completed applications (the application form plus all supporting documentation) is MAY 31 at 5:00 pm.