| Unit name | Applied Psychology Professions |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYC30027 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Anderson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit will introduce you to a range of applied psychology professions for which your undergraduate degree provides foundational training (e.g. clinical psychology, educational psychology…). As such, it will explore how psychology is applied in society and the workforce and give you insight into critical considerations that these professions encounter when undertaking psychological assessments and interventions.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit is delivered in the third year of your programme and will show how the skills and knowledge you have developed across your degree support a variety of psychology professions. The unit therefore bridges content learned across the degree with applied psychology professions and will help introduce you to some of the ways in which psychology plays an important role in society.
An overview of content
This unit will explore the history of the classification of psychological issues and the development of a number of professions in which psychology is applied in society. In introducing a range of psychology professions, critical consideration will be given to assessment techniques, the use of diagnostic/classification categories and different approaches to intervention. The unit will also explore broader issues around applied psychology disciplines including political and resource issues, third-sector organisations and community psychology. This will provide insight into issues driving the continued development of applied psychology.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will develop insight into a variety of psychology professions and critical issues that underlie their practice. Accordingly, you will be able to understand how the knowledge and skills you have developed during your degree underlie a number of applied psychology disciplines and how you could utilise your skills after graduating. You should be able to think critically about how we use psychology in these disciplines and how these professions have and continue to develop.
Learning Outcomes
Describe and evaluate the application of psychological knowledge and methods in a number of different contexts/professions.
Critically evaluate how we assess and intervene in psychological difficulties.
Appraise the social, political and historical influences on psychological professions and how these are driving developments in applied psychology.
This unit will utilise lectures and seminars so that you receive a mixture of lecture-style taught content and smaller group-based discussion and activities. This will allow subject matter experts to provide core knowledge relating to the different disciplines of psychology while also providing you with a chance to engage in activities that explore and strengthen your understanding. Use of case examples will aid your understanding of the professions and related critical issues as they apply to practice, and you will benefit from both peer and instructor feedback in reviewing these.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
When introducing different psychology professions, teaching on this unit will present case examples that demonstrate the role of those psychology professions and highlight key issues they face in their practice. In small groups, you will evaluate a case example for an applied psychology discipline and you will then discuss this case with other groups. This case example will allow you to explore critically key issues when undertaking psychological assessment and intervention. In addition to peer feedback, the unit leaders will provide feedback on a sample of group evaluations. Both levels of feedback will support you when later undertaking an individual evaluation of a case example for summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Summative assessment on this unit will comprise coursework and a time assessment, both worth 50% each. Following formative feedback on a group-level case evaluation, you will undertake coursework which is an individual evaluation of a case example. You will be able to choose a case from a variety of different psychology professions.
This unit will finish with a timed assessment (50% of unit mark) that asks questions covering the breadth of the unit to ensure you have a good overall understanding of critical issues underlying applied psychology professions and the wider influences that impact upon these professions and their practice.
When assessment does not go to plan
Reassessments will usually take a similar form as the original assessment (a case evaluation and a timed assessment).
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. PSYC30027).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
