Unit information: Developing Thinking in 2018/19

Unit name	Developing Thinking
Unit code	EDUCM5407
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Meadows
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Cognition and Learning, Brain, Mind and Education, Social and Socio-Cultural Psychology, Issues in the Psychology of Development, Individual Differences
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit offers students the opportunity to work on a topic of their own choice with guidance from an adviser working in the same field, in order to develop their knowledge and skills beyond the normal level expected for taught courses. Students will learn about research methods appropriate to the study of their chosen topic, though they may carry out a literature review rather than a piece of empirical work for the unit.

During the unit students should be in a position:

• To develop a deep understanding of psychological processes in the chosen area.

• To examine how such processes underpin behaviour in children and adults.

• To examine factors associated with their development during childhood.

• To develop a critical awareness of theories and models of psychological development and the evidence that supports them.

• To review research in psychology, including the methods by which data are collected, analysed and interpreted.

• To develop skills in reading and writing psychological research.

• To apply understanding of cognitive processes to educational domains.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will be able to demonstrate that they:

• have a critical understanding of current approaches to studying psychology.

• can show knowledge of current theoretical models and theories in psychology and the evidence that supports them.

• are skilled in reading, summarising, critiquing, and writing literature in the area of psychology.

Teaching Information

The method of study is supervised individual study. There are no classes; students will only undertake such study after the successful completion of other psychology units and may be advised to audit additional classes if this is appropriate. Contact hours will depend on the progress of the study.

Assessment Information

An assignment or research report of 4000 words demonstrating critical understanding of current approaches to studying psychology, knowledge of current theoretical models and theories in psychology and the evidence that supports them, and skills in reading, summarising, critiquing, and writing literature in the area of psychology.

Reading and References

Reading will be determined in discussion between tutor and student. Students will draw on journals such as Child Development, British Journal of Developmental Psychology, British Journal of Educational Psychology, Developmental Psychopathology, Annual Review of Psychology, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.