Contemporary Issues

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
Contemporary Issues

Aims:
As a balance to the specialisation that is required by the options, this module encourages students to integrate material from different areas of Psychology and to think about issues of current importance that have not been explicitly taught.
This module is available to Study Abroad students on a Psychology programme only.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Students will write two essays, one as coursework and one under examination conditions, which demonstrate an awareness of the points of convergence and divergence between different parts of the course in relation to contemporary issues in the news and an ability to marshall evidence from diverse sources.

Additional outcomes:
Students will be prompted to review what they have been taught from different perspectives and to research the literature and other sources to provide material for the essay.

Outline content:
There is no formal teaching on this course, in which students are expected to invest time throughout the term. Its purpose is to encourage students to examine points of convergence and divergence between different parts of the course. Essay topics will require attempts to integrate material from several areas, and to demonstrate the ability to apply students' knowledge of theory and research to topics of contemporary interest. For example, students might be asked if it is possible to study cognition independent of its social context. Students will be required to write a coursework essay in Autumn Term, whilst visiting their host institution. The essay provides experience for the Contemporary Issues paper of the Final Examinations. The exam paper will be available to students two weeks before the start of the examination period, to allow students to research the question they will answer.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module is designed to encourage independent learning. Students will be expected to source information for their essay from recent journal articles, and to integrate material from a wide variety of sources.

Contact hours:
Lectures- 1
Guided independent study- 49
Total hours by term- 50
Total hours for module- 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam- 90%
Written assignment including essay- 10%

Other information on summative assessment:
Assessment is by coursework.

Students complete one 2,500 word assessed essay in Autumn Term, which contributes 10% of the marks for the module. Students complete a 2 hour examination in Summer Term, which contributes 90% of the overall assessment. Students are provided with the exam paper two weeks before the start of the exam period, in order that they can select the question they wish to research.
Formative assessment methods:

Length of examination:
2 hours

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September