Course Description

English Language Support Unit

Years II-III, Semesters I & II

As most textbooks and research books in Cambodia are written in English or French, foreign language acquisition is essential for professors and students alike. The development of students� knowledge base and research skills across all disciplines at the Royal University of Phnom Penh is an outstanding goal of this foreign language program.

Ms. Sek Sisokhom, Mr. Phan Chanpeou

Year II, Semesters I & II

In this course, students learn to use measurement tools and devices, as well as statistical methods and regression analyses for data processing in psychological research. They also learn about the process of psychological report writing.

Ms. Sek Sisokhom, Mr. Phan Chanpeou

Year II, Semesters I & II

In this course, students learn to use measurement tools and devices, as well as statistical methods and regression analyses for data processing in psychological research. They also learn about the process of psychological report writing.

Ms. Sek Sisokhom, Ms. Nhong Hema

Year III, Semester I & II

This course introduces students to the concepts, principles, procedures and issues of experimental methods for studying human behavior and mental processes. Students develop their knowledge and skills in designing and conducting experiments, writing research reports, and evaluating existing and future research. In completing this course, students gain a more scientific attitude to solving relevant human problems.

Ms. Sek Sisokhom, Ms. Nhong Hema

Year III, Semester I & II

This course introduces students to the concepts, principles, procedures and issues of experimental methods for studying human behavior and mental processes. Students develop their knowledge and skills in designing and conducting experiments, writing research reports, and evaluating existing and future research. In completing this course, students gain a more scientific attitude to solving relevant human problems.

Mr. Somchan Sovannara, Mr. Chey Samoeurn

Year III, Semesters I & II

In this course, students learn to think about the context of the field of psychology. Course content reflects on ways in which social, cultural, and environmental systems influence individual and community well-being, and how psychologists can take account of these different contexts.

Mr. Somchan Sovannara, Mr. Chey Samoeurn

Year III, Semesters I & II

In this course, students learn to think about the context of the field of psychology. Course content reflects on ways in which social, cultural, and environmental systems influence individual and community well-being, and how psychologists can take account of these different contexts.

Ms. Nhong Sopheany

Year II, Semesters I & II

Students develop a theoretical and working knowledge of human information processing systems, including memory acquisition, memory retrieval and the process of forgetting, and issues related to cognition, such as emotional and neurological interactions.

Ms. Nhong Sopheany

Year II, Semesters I & II

Students develop a theoretical and working knowledge of human information processing systems, including memory acquisition, memory retrieval and the process of forgetting, and issues related to cognition, such as emotional and neurological interactions.

Ms. Nhong Sopheany, Ms. Nhong Hema

Year II, Semesters I & II

This course provides students with a working knowledge of the development of human personalities. Students focus on socio-cultural factors that can influence personality development, and compare these factors across major Euro-American theories, including psychoanalytic-dynamic, behavioral and attachment theories. Students then reflect on the relevance of these theories to personality development in the Cambodian context.

Ms. Nhong Sopheany, Ms. Nhong Hema

Year II, Semesters I & II

This course provides students with a working knowledge of the development of human personalities. Students focus on socio-cultural factors that can influence personality development, and compare these factors across major Euro-American theories, including psychoanalytic-dynamic, behavioral and attachment theories. Students then reflect on the relevance of these theories to personality development in the Cambodian context.

Mr. Lor Monirith

Year II, Semesters I & II

In this course, students gain an understanding of how to communicate with each other, building their listening skills and skills in managing people in small groups. They also develop skills in recognizing how thoughts, feelings and behaviors of individuals and groups are influenced by social and cultural settings, develop their understanding of the process of communication, and build their skills in listening and inter-personal communication.

Mr. Lor Monirith

Year II, Semesters I & II

In this course, students gain an understanding of how to communicate with each other, building their listening skills and skills in managing people in small groups. They also develop skills in recognizing how thoughts, feelings and behaviors of individuals and groups are influenced by social and cultural settings, develop their understanding of the process of communication, and build their skills in listening and inter-personal communication.

Mr. Chey Samoeun, Ms. Kruy Kimhourn, Ms. Lay Sokhanak

Year II, Semesters I & II

Students learn about human development from the prenatal period through to old age, exploring and analyzing theories of physical, emotional, cognitive, intellectual, creative and social development.

Mr. Chey Samoeun, Ms. Kruy Kimhourn, Ms. Lay Sokhanak

Year II, Semesters I & II

Students learn about human development from the prenatal period through to old age, exploring and analyzing theories of physical, emotional, cognitive, intellectual, creative and social development.

Mr. Phan Chanpeou

Year II, Semester I

Continuing on from the Foundation Year course, this unit of study introduces students to the role of neurobiology in human behavior, sensation and emotion. Students reflect on the complexities of human physiology and psychology and their relationship to the broader socio-cultural environment.

Mr. Khan Sareth, Mr. Phan Chanpeou

Year II, Semester II & Year III, Semester I

Students learn to understand the complexities of social and mental disorders in the Euro-American, Japanese, Chinese, and Cambodian theoretical contexts.

Mr. Khan Sareth, Mr. Phan Chanpeou

Year II, Semester II & Year III, Semester I

Students learn to understand the complexities of social and mental disorders in the Euro-American, Japanese, Chinese, and Cambodian theoretical contexts.

Mr. Chhuon Tray

Year III, Semesters I & II

Students gain an understanding of learning styles, theories of learning, developmental tasks related to learning, and the interaction between learning environments and teaching modes.

Mr. Chhuon Tray

Year III, Semesters I & II

Students gain an understanding of learning styles, theories of learning, developmental tasks related to learning, and the interaction between learning environments and teaching modes.

Mr. Ly Vanna, Ms. Chhim Sovanny

Year III, Semester I

Through this course, students become aware of how gender influences beliefs, perceptions, behaviors and sexual identity. They study the relationship between the biological and psychological dimensions of gender, gender-based human interaction as well as issues of power and identity, communication, sexual behavior and susceptibility to disease. To contextualize their knowledge, students are also introduced to the ways in which political policies impact on the equality of men and women.

Mr. Chey Samoeurn

Year III, Semester I

Students are introduced to community-based mental health issues, with specific reference to the Cambodian context. Students gain an understanding of community systems that influence psychological wellbeing, such as family, religion, moral systems and local, national and international values.

Ms. Nhong Hema, Mr. Ly Vanna, Ms. Chhim Sovanny

Year III, Semester II

This course introduces students to Industrial-Organizational Psychology, the applied branch of psychology concerned with people�s attitudes, behaviors, cognition, emotions and personality at work. Students analyze a variety of scientific theories about the structuring of organizations and work results, seeking improvements in organizational productivity and the quality of the working experience in various organizations.

Mr. Srun Hour

Year III, Semester II & Year IV, Semester I

This course provides an in-depth examination of Euro-American foundations and theories of psychotherapy. Students explore competing conceptions of therapy as a science and as an art, and discuss the relevance of theory to the Cambodian context. Regular guest lecturers canvass other specialized areas such as Japanese approaches to psychotherapy, including Morita and Naika therapy.

Mr. Srun Hour

Year III, Semester II & Year IV, Semester I

This course provides an in-depth examination of Euro-American foundations and theories of psychotherapy. Students explore competing conceptions of therapy as a science and as an art, and discuss the relevance of theory to the Cambodian context. Regular guest lecturers canvass other specialized areas such as Japanese approaches to psychotherapy, including Morita and Naika therapy.

Mr. Khann Sareth, Chhuon Tray

Year III, Semester II

This course introduces students to Buddhist ideas, stories and theories of health and psychology. Using this knowledge, students reflect on how religion can affect the theory and practice of psychology, and how to appropriately manage religious beliefs in the field of psychology.

Mr. Srun Hour, Ms. Nhong Hema

Year IV, Semester I & II

Students develop a working knowledge of counseling theory in order to develop skills that will assist clients. After completing this course, students will be able to explain the major theories and practices of different types of counseling, use listening and counseling skills to assist patients, and describe the importance of probing a patient�s inner life in the counseling process.

Mr. Srun Hour, Ms. Nhong Hema

Year IV, Semester I & II

Students develop a working knowledge of counseling theory in order to develop skills that will assist clients. After completing this course, students will be able to explain the major theories and practices of different types of counseling, use listening and counseling skills to assist patients, and describe the importance of probing a patient�s inner life in the counseling process.

Mr. Somchan Sovandara

Year IV, Semester I & II

Through this course, students increase their understanding of the relationship between culture and human behavior. Lectures focus on the ways in which different cultures create meaning and order in the world, and how a sense of disorder can affect individuals� physical and psychological health. Students also learn psychological research methods that are sensitive to culture and cultural difference.

Mr. Somchan Sovandara

Year IV, Semester I & II

Through this course, students increase their understanding of the relationship between culture and human behavior. Lectures focus on the ways in which different cultures create meaning and order in the world, and how a sense of disorder can affect individuals� physical and psychological health. Students also learn psychological research methods that are sensitive to culture and cultural difference.

Mr. Pann Vutha

Year III, Semester I

In this course, students examine the nature of scientific knowledge, and question the differences between scientific knowledge and everyday assumptions. In particular, students discuss the dispute between evolution and creationism and the question of scientific relativism.

Mr. May Sinan

Year III, Semester I

In this course, students examine phenomenology, which developed as a philosophy in German universities before World War I, under the leadership of Edmund Husserl. The theory was then expanded by Martin Heidegger and others, and was taken as a basis for existentialism by Jean-Paul Sartre. The flexibility and vitality of phenomenology has allowed it to continue it to grow and flourish as a cogent philosophy up until the present day.

Mr. Heng Sreang

Year III, Semester II

This course examines the development of British, European and American philosophy in the 20th century, with a special focus on linguistic analysis theories. The course begins with the early twentieth-century rejection of the idea that our knowledge and experience of the world is pure, and shows students how philosophers have reconceptualized human existence and human understanding as fundamentally historicized, embodied and dependant on language.

Mr. Pann Vutha

Year III, Semester II

In this course, students learn about theories of dualistic interactionism, behaviourism, emotion, intention, functionalism, artificial intelligence and the varieties of materialism that are concerned with the nature of humanity. As part of this, students question their capacity for self-knowledge, the relationship between the mental and the physical, and the nature of human actions. They study theories of the self and of evaluating humanity�s capacity, using classical, modern and contemporary sources.

Mr. May Sinan

Year III, Semester II

In this course, students examine the philosophical questions central to understanding what it means to exist as a human being. Central issues include human knowledge and conscious will, personal and social identity, the foundation of morality, and the existence of God.

Mr. Un Leang

Year IV, Semester I

Feminist theory offers a cogent, although sometimes contentious, philosophical system. Students discuss the many various forms of feminist philosophy and their similarities and differences, focusing especially on theories of feminism for equality and feminism for difference. This course also introduces students to current issues in feminist philosophy, including its critique of Western philosophy, and the different theories of human nature which arise from the feminist critique.

Mr. Kang Om, Mr. Somchan Sovandara

Year IV, Semester I

This course examines the nature of Cambodian culture, including its history, customs, beliefs, language and rituals, as it relates to the field of psychology. Students focus on the cultural context behind perception, concepts of personality, cognition, emotions and beliefs. Following their research into the Cambodian context, students broaden their field of study, inquiring into the cultural context of psychology in nations around the world.

Mr. Chhuon Tray

Year IV, Semester II

Students develop a working and theoretical knowledge of management processes in the workplace, within a psychological framework. Key topics include group processes and structures, leadership styles, and ethical management procedures.

Ms. Nhong Hema

Year IV, Semester II

This course introduces students to the development of family therapy in Cambodia, emphasizing family systems, modes of communication and family dynamics. Students reflect on Cambodian family dynamics in urban, rural and remote areas, and on the changes to family dynamics caused by social mobility and rapid urbanization.

Ms. Kruy Kimhourn , Chhuon Tray

Year IV, Semester I

In this course, students gain an overview of psychological assessments, including normal and abnormal development in intellectual, emotional, behavioral, and creative fields.

Ms. Nhong Hema

Year IV, Semester I

This course introduces students to theories of psychosocial trauma, and teaches them relevant assessment measures. Students are encouraged to understand the factors and experiences that can place individuals and/or communities at risk of trauma, and to understand the concept of cumulative trauma. In particular, students focus on the specific Cambodian context in relation to trauma research.

Mr. Phan Chanpeou

Year IV, Semester I

Students learn about the realities of working as a psychologist, in order to prepare themselves for practice. They analyze the differences between various work practices, explore the personal stress that psychologists can face, and learn ways to manage and reduce this stress. They then plan a projected career path in the field of psychology, and map ways to continue learning in the field following their graduation.

Ms. Kruy Kimhuorn, Mr. Lor Monirith

Year IV, Semester II

In this course, students explore what is considered normal and abnormal in childhood development, and examine some of the social issues which may be responsible for childhood impairments. They explore the occurrence of psychological impairment in childhood and adolescence, taking account of ailments including depression, anxiety, psychosis, seizure activities and intellectual delay. Students also learn about childhood disabilities, including autism, pica and dissociation. The link between substance use and social and individual disorders is examined, as is the culture of substance use and misuse that can impact on childhood development in the Cambodian context. Students then examine sexual abuse and abnormal sexual behaviors in children and adolescents, and learn possible strategies for the intervention and treatment of victims of childhood abuse. Finally, the class takes a broader view of social problems which may negatively impact on children in Cambodia, looking at issues of alcohol, glue, petrol and amphetamine abuse, before learning tools to assess when, how and if substance abuse is affecting the user�s physical and mental health.

Ms. Nhon Sopheany, Mr. Ly Vanna

Year IV, Semester II

Students learn about the complex network of causes of violence, particularly domestic violence, and its effects on community, family and individual well-being. Students are encouraged to think about the broader culture of violence and to recognize the lack of simple cause and effect scenarios behind domestic violence. As part of class discussions, students debate the effects of neglect-abuse cycles, age, gender, disability and power on domestic violence scenarios, and examine the complex victim-survivor processes which can follow domestic violence.

Students with outstanding performance throughout their degree are offered the chance to research and write an original thesis during the final semester of their degree. Students choose a topic in consultation with a supervisor, who then guides them through the period of research and writing over one semester, culminating in the completion and presentation of a completed thesis.