Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module PSYC3357: Applied Social Psychology

Department: Psychology

PSYC3357: Applied Social Psychology

Type Open Level 3 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2020/21 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • 40 credits from C800 Psychology Level 2 modules

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • Develop an understanding of the range of ways in which social psychology can be applied to solve problems in the private, public and third sectors

Content

  • This module examines how social psychology can be applied to solve real-world problems
  • Topics can vary from year to year but are likely to include applications in health, business, environment, government, and/or forensic settings
  • The module will also cover issues of designing and testing interventions, theory development and evidence-based professional practice

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Detailed knowledge of a range of specific research topics and methods in the field of applied social psychology
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately
Key Skills:
  • Good written communication skills
  • Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation and data presentation
  • Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

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

  • Students' acquisition of detailed knowledge will be facilitated by lectures, (break-out) small group work, audio-visual materials, discussions and detailed reading lists
  • These modes of teaching provide students with detailed knowledge of key theories and skills needed to evaluate different theoretical positions in light of current evidence
  • The summative exam will assess students' detailed subject knowledge
  • An assessment of the range, recency and appropriateness of sources will be included in the overall assessment of the exam
  • Guided private study and in-class discussions will ensure that students are exposed to a range of different theoretical positions, and encouraged to understand their inter-relations
  • Lectures and in-class discussion will also give students the opportunity to interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work
  • The exam assesses students' acquired knowledge of theoretical principles and empirical studies and their ability to organise and synthesise them coherently and critically in written form in response to a set question
  • The exam will also assess students' written communication skills

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 11 1 per week 2 hours 22
Preparation and reading 78
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Examination 2 hours 100%

Formative Assessment:

None


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