| Unit name | Foundations of Psychology 1 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYC10016 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Damian |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
This unit introduces the areas of developmental psychology and social psychology, which are among the core areas of psychology. The unit provides a foundation for the degree programme in psychology as required for accreditation by the professional body, the British Psychological Society. The unit is mandatory for students on the BSc Psychology, MSci Psychology and Neuroscience and MSci Psychology with Innovation programmes.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit (along with Foundations of Psychology 2) lays the groundwork for your core knowledge in psychology and provides some historical context. The taught content of Years 2 and 3 will build on these foundations.
An overview of content
The unit covers topics that introduce you to developmental psychology and social psychology, without assuming any background knowledge. Topics include cognitive development, language development, emotional development, social perception, self-control, self-esteem and prosocial behaviour.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will become familiar with two of the foundation areas of psychology (developmental and social), with a developing sense of mastery over these core areas of the field. Your critical thinking skills in these areas will be enhanced, and you will become familiar with some of the contemporary methods and techniques for studying psychology.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
Regular lectures supported by online resources and independent study.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Around the midpoint of the teaching block you will submit a draft of your 1600 word coursework essay for formative feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
You will use the feedback provided to complete a summative essay to be submitted toward the end of the teaching block (40%).
In addition there will be a 2-hour exam (60%) in the TB1 assessment period.
A reasonable attempt at all assessments must be made for the award of credit.
When assessment does not go to plan
If deemed necessary, outstanding assessments (or equivalent) will be completed during the reassessment period.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PSYC10016).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
