
- UCAS course code
- X300
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Foundations of psychology
Unit code | EDUC13011 |
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Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Offered by | School of Environment, Education and Development |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
The purpose of the unit is to introduce and acculturate students into the idea of studying psychology as a science and through a range of perspectives. Major topics include:
- What is Psychology (e.g. is it the science of mind, or is it the science of experience)?
- What encapsulates ‘science’ as a practice?
- Major schools of psychology (e.g. Philosophy, psycho-physics, Introspection, Behaviourism + neo-behaviourism (Wundt, Skinner et. al), Humanism)
- Differences between European and American schools of thought
The taught content will be augmented by formative, online activities, including case-based study examples and online quizzes.
Aims
Introduce students to the study of psychology as a science by examining the social and cultural construction of psychology through the lens of major shifts in paradigm and perspective. Attention will be paid to its application to ‘real world questions’ with particular regard to education.
Learning outcomes
Category of outcome | Students should/will (please delete as appropriate) be able to: |
Knowledge and understanding | Demonstrate understanding of the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline, its historical origins, development and limitations |
Intellectual skills | Be able to comparatively analyse and evaluate phenomena relating to human functioning from a range of different perspectives. |
Practical skills |
|
Transferable skills and personal qualities | Be able to problem solve by clarifying questions, consideration solutions and evaluating likely outcomes Take charge of their own learning and undertake self-directed study to produce a credit-bearing assignment Written communication Oral communication (contributing to discussion and debate) Working with others (group work, case-based work) IT skills (word processing, accessing electronic databases and library facilities, managing references) |
Teaching and learning methods
Face to face lectures (e.g. including whole class discussion and debate, case/scenario based learning, and other approaches to learning and teaching)
Supplementary e-learning resources provided online
Assessment methods
Assessment task | Length | How and when feedback is provided | Weighting within unit |
Students are a provided a case-vignette and asked to select two Psychological approaches (as studied in class) in order to consider to what extent psychological perspectives help us understand the situation. | 1,500 | Onlinen via Blackbord/Turnitin | 100% |
Students are also required to complete an online ‘mid term quiz’, as indicated on Blackboard. This assessment covers a breadth of knowledge from across the unit.
This assessment is open book may be completed at any time, and multiple re-sits are allowed. However, a pass mark of at least 80% is required in order to be able to submit your credit-bearing assignment.
Feedback methods
Online via Blackboard/Turnitin
Recommended reading
Gross, R. (2015). Psychology: The Science of Mind and Behaviour (7th Ed.). London: Hodder
Forshaw, M. (2012). Critical thinking for psychology: A student guide. West Sussex: BPS
Blackwell.
Hayes, N. (2000). Foundations of Psychology (3rd Ed.). London: Thomson.
Ruscio, J. (2005). Critical Thinking in Psychology: Separating Sense from Nonsense. Belmont, CA: Thomson, Wadsworth.
Slife, B. (2010) Taking sides: Clashing Views on Psychological Issues. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
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eAssessment | 20 |
Lectures | 15 |
Independent study hours | |
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Independent study | 65 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Michael Wigelsworth | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Activity | Hours Allocated |
Staff/ Student contact | 10* interactive lectures @ 1.5 hours 15 |
Facilitated, formative online activities | 20 |
Private study, reading and assignment preparation | 65 |
Total Hours | 100 |