Unit information: Contemporary Issues in Psychology in 2018/19

Unit name	Contemporary Issues in Psychology
Unit code	PSYC30016
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18)
Unit director	Dr. Dani Ferriday
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Psychological Science
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is designed to highlight selected contemporary issues in psychology. Students select two seminars from a range of topics proposed by the School.

The aims of this unit are to develop students’ critical evaluation skills via the synthesis and oral presentation and discussion of research findings and debate related to important current topics in psychology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

1. Review the methodological approaches to the study of the respective research topic.
2. Appraise the application of these approaches in a specific study.
3. Relate the methodology to broader aspects of psychological enquiry.
4. Demonstrate the skills necessary for an assessed oral presentation.

Teaching Information

Weekly small group seminars.

Assessment Information

Two oral presentations (30%) and 2 x 500-word critiques (70%).

Attendance and participation in group discussions is mandatory. For each unexcused non-attendance, there will be a reduction in the associated overall presentation mark by 25%.

Reading and References

Recommended and further reading will be made available through Blackboard