Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module PSYC2167: HISTORICAL AND CONCEPTUAL ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY

Department: Psychology

PSYC2167: HISTORICAL AND CONCEPTUAL ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2019/20 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to CFG0 & CFG1
Tied to CV85 & CV58
Tied to X1C8 & XC82 & XC81

Prerequisites

  • PSYC1062 Introduction to Psychological Research

Corequisites

  • PSYC2xx7 Biological Psychology plus PSYC2xx7 Cognitive Psychology

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The aim of this module is to develop skills in studying a set of classic papers in psychology
  • It will provide students an opportunity to discuss psychological research in a tutorial context

Content

  • Students will undertake weekly tutorials to discover, share, and discuss historical and conceptual issues in psychology
  • The focus of the module will be on research-led teaching and the development of skills for understanding and communicating empirical findings and theoretical concepts

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • In depth knowledge relating to a sub-set of historical and conceptual topics in psychology
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Understand the relationship between theory and data, including the ability to evaluate theories and concepts
  • Ability to formulate research questions and hypotheses
Key Skills:
  • Competent in written communication skills
  • Competent in presentation skills
  • Competent IT skills in word processing and data presentation
  • Location, reading, and review of a body of research evidence
  • Critical evaluation of the quality of evidence and arguments
  • Ability to adopt different theoretical positions and see relationships between them

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Acquisition of knowledge and understanding in the areas studied is facilitated by activities undertaken in tutorials, as determined by individual tutors, and by individual study outside the tutorial setting
  • The tutorials will guide understanding of the relationship between theory and data
  • Knowledge and understanding will be assessed via an essay assignment and a recorded presentation
  • The essay assignment will assess the ability to organise, review and evaluate evidence and theory, to provide critical appraisal, and to contrast theoretical positions
  • The presentation assignment will assess the ability to verbally review and evaluate evidence and theory, to provide critical appraisal, and to contrast theoretical positions
  • A key component in the preparation of the essay is the acquisition of adequate word processing skills
  • A key component in the preparation of the presentation is the acquisition of adequate computer visual display skills
  • Feedback on progress in the module will be provided via in-class activities
  • Subject-specific and Key skills are fostered through discussion and will be assessed via the coursework assignments

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Introductory Lecture 1 Once at the start of the module 1 hour 1
Skills Lecture 1 Once between tutorial blocks 1 hour 1
Tutorials 8 Weekly in two four-week blocks 1 hour 8
Preparation and Reading 90
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Summative Essay Component Weighting: 70%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Summative Essay 1500 words 100%
Component: Summative Presentation Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Recorded presentation 10 minutes 100%

Formative Assessment:

Formative assignments and presentation opportunities within tutorials


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University