PSY4252 - Controversial issues in psychology

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

(1) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychology as an evidential discipline.
(2) Engage actively with theoretical and methodological debates and controversies in psychology.
(3) Collaborate in the collection, collation and employment of appropriate evidence to build and present and effective argument.

Content:

This module provides students with opportunities to engage with a range of historical and contemporary controversies and debates in psychology. The emphasis is on the development of teamwork, the collection, evaluation and use of appropriate primary sources and on the development of oral presentation skills.

The module will introduce students to the value of evidence in psychology and to the methods of identifying and evaluating primary sources.

Indicative examples of the types of controversial issues to be considered are: Does current animal research in psychology make a valuable contribution?; Is there such a think as a 'hynotic state'?; Are psychological findings valid beyond the culture within which they are collected?; Does ESP exist?; Are media portrayals of the 'thin ideal' major influencees on people's body image?

Learning and Teaching Information:

A key aim of this module is to offer students at level 4 the opportunity to develop their research and argument skills within the context of dynamic teamwork exercises.
Semester 1 provides an essential teaching structure within a series of lectures on the issues and debates to be addressed in group work in semester 2. These lectures and the essay assessment, allow students to develop an understanding of the fundamental issues. Acquiring a balanced knowledge base assists students in participating with confidence in the debate focused activities in semester 2.
Semester 2: students work in groups to gather information and to construct an argument presenting both ‘sides’ of a controversy, but concluding with a stated position on the issue. Two alternative views will be presented in the Portfolio. All students will be expected to engage with all of the topics in order to facilitate lively and informed workshops. Students will develop discussion and teamwork skills.
Students will also be encouraged to participate in group discussion outside formal teaching time by using the Moodle VLE.

Semester 1: Lectures
Hours: 10 x 2 hr
Intended Group size: 1

Semester 2: Supervised workshops/groups
Hours: 10 x 1 hr
Intended Group size: 10-12

Independent guided study
Hours: 170

Assessment:

001 Essay 1 x 2000 words (sem 1) 50%
002 Portfolio of workshop activities 2000 words end of sem 2 50%


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