Module Information

Module Identifier
CR12510
Module Title
Readings in Psychology
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Co-Requisite
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminar 5 x 2 Hour Seminars
Lecture 1 x 2 Hour Lecture
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Written Assignment (1,500 words)  50%
Semester Assessment Oral Presentation  50%
Supplementary Assessment Written Assignment (1,500 words)  50%
Supplementary Assessment If the oral presentation is failed, the associated supplementary assessment will take a written format (1,500 words)  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Review and evaluate some of the central studies key to the sub-disciplines of psychology, including social, biological, cognitive and developmental;
2. Understand and be able to contrast the major theoretical perspectives within psychology and apply these theories to understand selected aspects of human development, behaviour and functioning;
3. Develop an ability to understand, organise and utilise knowledge and present this both orally and in written form;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific nature of psychological enquiry;
5. Identify the significance of scientific information and data and understand the relationship between theory and data.

Content

The aim of this module is to allow students to focus in depth on some key readings in psychology and to critically appraise these studies. Key readings from these fields will be used by students to gain a deeper understanding of the methodology and findings from these studies.

A series of seminar papers ? which the students will be required to read and present on as part of their assessment ? will look at a range of fields within psychology, drawing from areas such as biological, social, developmental, cognitive, etc. These will involve some of the key studies in psychology and be related to crime and the criminal justice system where possible (e.g. memory = eyewitness testimony).

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Students will be introduced to the key concepts of reading and understanding psychological studies and empirical data and be able to understand the nature of scientific research.
Communication Oral: Students will develop oral communication skills by presenting in the seminar as part of their assessment. They will learn to be clear and direct with their discussion. Written: Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format and their written communication will be assessed according to effective expression of ideas, good language skills and a coherent argument.
Improving own Learning and Performance Interactive seminars will encourage the critical and lateral thinking of students with exercises planned to deliver a range of opportunities to facilitate the learning of abstract concepts, and will allow students to reflect on their own learning.
Information Technology Searches of on-line electronic information sources (such as Web of Science and PsychLit, Psych Info) and accessing information from electronic journals will provide practice in IT skills. Module information on Blackboard will be accessed using IT skills. Students will submit their assessed work in word-processed format.
Personal Development and Career planning Preparation for seminars and the assessed assignment will develop time management skills; collation of sources for assessment will nurture research skills; appreciation of complex theoretical issues will develop critical thinking skills. All of these skills will contribute to their portfolio of transferable skills.
Problem solving The assimilation of a range of complex theories will develop students' problem-solving abilities and a range of interactive elements in seminars and the assignment will encourage lateral thinking.
Research skills Research skills will be developed by accessing and critically analysing literature on various psychological theories in order to construct and present an informed discussion for the assessed exercise and oral presentation. Independent preparation for the seminars will also develop research skills.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work Small group seminars will foster team working skills.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4