PY3RA-Risk and Accidents

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Professor FP McKenna
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: f.p.mckenna@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
To enable students to study chosen areas of Psychology in depth; to give them experience of critical evaluation of selected topics in those areas; to give them experience of current research being undertaken in the department; to help them develop the ability to study independently.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the student will be able to demonstrate a depth of knowledge in their selected subject area such that they can write knowledgeably and critically about this in examinations.

Additional outcomes:
Students will gain experience from participating in evaluative discussion in research and theory in large and small groups and will be asked to write a summary of a research paper for possible oral or visual presentation.

Outline content:
5 3-hour seminars. The format will depend on the number of students involved, but will probably focus on student led seminars/presentations and discussions supplemented by occasional short lectures. The overall aim will be to consider how individuals come to take risks and cover a range of topics such as
1. Unrealistic optimism (do we believe that we are less vulnerable to risks than others?),
2. Accident proneness (are there some people who are more likely to be involved in accidents?)
3. Risk Homeostasis Theory (do people compensate for safety measures such as seat belts and bring the risk back to the preceding level?).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, seminars, interactive discussions, and student presentations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures
Tutorials/seminars		15
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours		15
Number of essays or assignments
Other (eg major seminar paper)	Oral presentation if assigned for this module.	Oral presentation if assigned for this module.

Assessment:
Coursework
1.7% of the credit will be contributed by an average mark for all presentations given within all optional modules.
Penalties for late submission:
In accordance with University wide policy.
Relative percentage of coursework: 1.7%
Examinations
Examination in Summer Term. No of hours 1½. This contributes 98.3% of the overall assessment.
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in Aug/Sept