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Unit information: Foundations of Psychology in 2022/23

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Foundations of Psychology
Unit code LANG00033
Credit points 20
Level of study QCA-3
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Dr. Andersen
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

IELTS: minimum 6.0 overall; minimum 5.5 in Writing component, minimum 5.0 in Speaking, Listening and Reading components, or equivalent

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

Not applicable

School/department Centre for Academic Language and Development
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

The unit is intended to provide students with a broad understanding of the fundamental principles of psychology and will cover three core areas: social, cognitive and developmental psychology.

The aims of the unit are to introduce students to these foundation areas of psychology, to enhance their critical thinking and oral presentation skills in these areas, and to become familiar with contemporary methods and techniques for studying psychology.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, a student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the major theoretical perspectives taken in social, cognitive and developmental psychology.
  2. Describe and apply the methodologies and techniques used in social, cognitive and developmental psychology to illustrate and support the theory.
  3. Critically evaluate the theory and research in terms of strengths and limitations.

How you will learn

Students will attend 3 hours of study per week. Learning is facilitated in small group classroom sessions involving a combination of teacher-led input, combined with discussion about the practical application of the topics and group-based activities which will be increasingly project related. On-line delivery of materials through Blackboard VLE.

How you will be assessed

Formative assessment:

  • Multiple choice and short answer questions with peer and tutor feedback

Summative assessment:

  • Research report on a conducted experiment (1,500 words) (40%) ILO 1, 2
  • Written exam (60%) ILOs 1, 3 (3 SAQs)

Resources

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. LANG00033).

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.

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