Unit name | Evolutionary Psychology |
---|---|
Unit code | PSYC30001 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Philip Collard |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Psychological Science |
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
The unit provides a framework for independent in-depth study of current research literature on evolutionary approaches to psychology. Evolution is a powerful but problematic theory in science, as evolutionary theory is considered by some to be untestable, and by others to have undesirable but unavoidable political and moral consequences, especially when applied to human social behaviour.
The aims of this unit are to consider theories in evolutionary biology of social behaviour (natural selection, sexual selection, kin selection, reciprocity and parental investment), the contemporary issues in the subject area and the role of empirical evidence in the formation of theory.
On successful completion of the unit, a student will be able to:
Self-paced online asynchronous learning materials will be supported with weekly live synchronous sessions.
These live sessions will take a variety of different forms depending on the focus of the week, but will typically involve Q&A based on the weeks' content and student discussion groups.
1 x 1600-word coursework (50%) and 1 x timed assessment (50%)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PSYC30001).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.