COURSE IN DEPTH
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
Introduction to Psychology
20 credits
This module explores the origins, developments and refinements in the study of modern-day Psychology, dating back to early philosophy. The module will ensure students will see how modern-day Psychology has evolved, not just in terms of the “big-names” but also by viewing the scientific, cultural and social movements and influences that were happening alongside the development of this new discipline.
Psychology of Individual Differences and Personality
20 credits
This module focuses on current and historical understanding of personality and individual differences. We review the main theories of personality and use contemporary empirical evidence to explore the complex relationship between personality and behaviour. In-depth examples of the complexity of individual differences will be provided, and some lectures will focus of personality disorders and problems assessing and classifying such disorders.
The academic component of this module provides you with an experiential learning process that will further develop your understanding of the complex theoretical and conceptual issues involved in the measurement and assessment of personality and individual differences. In particular, the seminar component will provide you with the opportunity to experience projective and objective personality tests and to further explore the problems associated with diagnosing personality disorders.
Key Debates in Criminological Theory
20 credits
Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics
20 credits
This module introduces you to the process of conducting research, analysing data and evaluating the findings. The module will provide a conceptual understanding of reporting research, the core statistical principals and tests used. The module provides hands-on experience of conducting an experiment, using statistical software for carrying out analyses and writing up the experiment in practical workshops. This module will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills required to prepare you for future work, training or careers in an applied area of Psychology or research. This module will also identify how the skills and knowledge gained during this module are relevant to future modules that cover GBC competencies and training which are relevant to future work and studies in the area of Psychology.
The Criminal Justice System
20 credits
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
Popular Images and Psychological Understanding
20 credits
The intention of this module is to bring aesthetic awareness in to the living space of students in order to demonstrate the fascinating and useful lens that psychology can provide in helping make sense and understanding of the immediate symbolic world that surrounds people in society. This module takes aspects of every day art, culture, design, architecture and creativity, and attempts to provide psychological commentaries which are novel, speculative, and above all, interesting. The focus is on seeing through images to the psychological fantasies and themes they portray, and the drives that animate the human condition.
Parapsychology
20 credits
The parapsychology module focuses on exploring how Psychology is placed in the wider domain of “science” and through debates about the meaning and function of parapsychological belief, parapsychological research, and the social/historical relevance of parapsychology. Throughout the module you will be presented with a number of parapsychological topics (e.g., Alien abduction; Telepathy; Clairvoyance; Demonic possession) which will be underpinned by two broad perspectives: (i) believer and (ii) sceptic. You will be introduced to the methodological, theoretical and psychological problems in examining paranormal belief and experience in order to provide opportunities for the development of semantic learning and critical thinking skills.
Introduction to Psychopathology
20 credits
Introduction to Psychopathology, will introduce you to psychological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, addiction etc. and how these psychological disorders have an effect on daily thinking, functioning and behaviour. The assessment and diagnosis process of a psychological disorder will play a central role in this module and this will be done by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5; 2013). The DSM-5 (2013) is used by clinicians worldwide to assess and diagnose individuals with a psychological disorder. In this module the DSM-5 (2013) will be used to describe the key symptoms of psychological disorders which will help to enhance your understanding of key symptoms and criteria used by clinicians to diagnose a psychological disorder.
Positive Psychology and Counselling
20 credits
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
Qualitative Research Methods and Analyses
20 credits
This module provides you with an overview of the purpose, design, and conduct of qualitative research in psychology. This module builds upon and complements research methods modules delivered in level 4 by providing students with grounding in the use of qualitative research methods and analysis techniques commonly used in psychology. All sessions are structured to facilitate both conceptual learning and the development of applied research skills. More specifically, this module aims to help you develop skills in research and inquiry and develop academic attributes such as being able to think critically about different methodologies and knowledge claims.
Neuropsychology
20 credits
This module will continue to develop key transferable skills from level 4 such as group discussion and debate, critical evaluation and evidence-based reasoning. There will be research-led teaching which will explore key debates and methodologies used in neuropsychology and cognitive Psychology. The GBC area of biological Psychology and cognitive Psychology will be supplemented through this module.
Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics
20 credits
This module builds on the Research Methods and Psychology literacy module (Level 4), by providing you with the skills to master the process of designing and executing research using quantitative research methods, and analysing and evaluating the findings with quantitative data analysis techniques. The module provides hands-on experience of using computer software to build experiments and statistical software for carrying out analyses in the practical workshops. The module will enhance your skills in critically evaluating the strengths and limitations of published research papers and equip you with an advanced understanding of ethics in psychological research.
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
Substance Use, Crime and Deviance
20 credits
Making Sense of Homicide
20 credits
Race and Crime
20 credits
Experiencing Harm
20 credits
Crime in the City
20 credits
Youth Crime and Justice
20 credits
Youth Crime and Justice aims to equip students with a sound theoretical knowledge of juvenile offending and justice. In essence, the understanding of the complex relationship between young people and criminality fits within the wider aims of the degree programme and associated pathways as it draws on sociological, psychological and criminological understandings, furthering students’ ability to understand and problematize crime and its causes. The module also recognises that the separate and distinct administration to criminal justice to young people is a topic worthy of consideration in its own right, and considers important debates around justice, welfare, education and the construction of youth and childhood. It takes both a contemporary and historical focus, considering how the nexus of crime, control and youth have variously been considered during different historical periods.
Health Psychology
20 credits
This module aims to introduce you to the area of health psychology and demonstrate how psychological principles may be applied to understand and alleviate problems of illness, ill health and health-related behaviours which are significant real world problems (pursing excellence). Key models and theories that aim to predict risk behaviour and at promoting health and self-care will be discussed, compared and contrasted. Interventions to promote behaviour change will also be covered. Behaviour change techniques and adherence will be debated with practical examples given. After considering the role of psychology in the field of health the module will focus on factors such as stress and its effects on health and illness. Coping styles and strategies as well as social support will be discussed as moderators of the relation between stress and illness.
Work and Organisational Psychology
20 credits
Work and Organisational Psychology will cover the importance of how the workplace can impact upon people’s health (in both negative and positive ways) and how the workplace can also be used to improve well-being. Work and Organisational Psychology aims to improving the quality of work life and to protecting and promoting the safety, health and well-being of workers’ (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; NIOSH).
Educational Psychology
20 credits
This module aims to equip you with the relevant skills and knowledge, which are required for the role of the educational psychologist. The module will provide you with an understanding of the general principles and concepts underlying the British educational system and the relevance of psychology to that system. This module examines the role of the educational psychologist and explores the relationship between theory and practice within different educational contexts. The module will familiarise you with different methods of investigation (psychometric testing, observational techniques, interviewing and projective techniques) and intervention methods (behaviour modification, task analysis, conflict mediation and counselling). The module will also help you appreciate the integration and inter-relationships of different perspectives in psychology which contribute to this specialised applied area in psychology which transcend into applied and specialised areas of work within the Educational sector.
Forensic Psychology
20 credits
This optional Level 5 module is designed to introduce you to the field of forensic psychology. Forensic psychology is one of the key psychological domains recognised by the British Psychological Society and covers a broad range of topics highly relevant to the real world context. A key aim of the module is to teach you about a range of criminal justice settings within which psychology can be applied to assist the work of practitioners and the police.
Real World Work Experiences
20 credits
At this level of study you will be encouraged to think about areas of study or work that you would like to pursue upon completion of this course. You will be firstly introduced to the different areas of psychology that you can specialise in. This will involve looking at the roles that psychologists perform within each of the branch areas as well as what is entailed to become specialised and charted within each particular branch. Workshops will be carried out within the following which will be supported by psychologists both within and external to the university.
Psychological Understanding of Mass Killing
20 credits
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Final Year
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits):
Integrative Psychology Project
40 credits
Understanding research issues is an essential skill for psychologists operating in an evidence-based paradigm. The ability to produce an in-depth dissertation and present a logical argument using such research is a crucial skill for a successful psychology graduate.
This module builds upon learning at level 4 and level 5 in previous Psychological Research Methods modules. This module will encourage you to plan, execute and write up a research project which adheres to principles of the Psychology Ethics Committee. You should seek out research sources to produce an in-depth dissertation that answers your own identified research question or knowledge gap, making a contribution to the existing literature within your chosen topic area. This will be facilitated through critical evaluation of the sources you have selected and used. You will also be facilitated in using statistical and other specialist software, testing equipment and materials, as well as the use of the Psychology laboratories.
Applied Social Psychology
20 credits
The applied social psychology module focuses on exploring how social psychological theory and research can be applied to real life. Throughout the module you will be presented with a number of contemporary social issues and will explore relevant theoretical models and examples to illustrate the impact that social psychological constructs, theories and research has had on informing applied interventions. Theoretical perspectives might include cross cultural psychology, individual differences, and critical social psychology. Contemporary social issues might include encouraging cooperation with authorities, understanding responses to terrorism, reducing prejudice, and promoting employee production.
Lifespan Psychology
20 credits
This module aims to investigate human development throughout the lifespan focusing on changes to biological, cognitive, social and emotional elements of psychological functioning. The module will provide you with an understanding of the general principles and concepts, different theoretical perspectives, research methodologies, contemporary debates and areas of application of Lifespan Development. This module will enable you to develop skills in critical reading and analysis of theoretical and empirical issues related to Lifespan Development. In the context of contemporary societies and globalisation, the role of social and cultural context of development is explored.
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
Local to Global Organised Crime
20 credits
Hate Crime
20 credits
Cyber Crime
20 credits
The module will introduce students to the complex world of cyber-crime and issues related to cyber technology and how the police deal with cyber issues from cyber terrorism, cyber bullying and cyber hate. The module will work well alongside the other modules related to security studies where students will examine the rationale of cyber-crimes.
Gender and Crime
20 credits
This module will explore the gendered nature of crime and criminal justice. In doing so, we will consider the gendered perspective of victims, perpetrators and those working within the Criminal Justice System. This module will draw on a broad theoretical framework; including feminist, psychological, biological and human rights perspectives. This module is central to the students’ development of critical appreciation of the relationship between the individual and social aspects of crime and victimisation.
Everyday Surveillance
20 credits
Emotions in Crime and Criminal Justice
20 credits
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
