PY1SK-Skills for Psychology

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: 4
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Spring
Module Convenor: Dr EA Gaffan
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: e.a.gaffan@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
Students should develop their skills as psychologists, to a level appropriate for first-year university students, providing a good foundation for more advanced work in the subject. Some of these skills, such as information searching, research interpretation, essay writing and critiques, will be useful in spheres other than academic psychology.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Writing essays and short reports. Reading scientific literature. Summarizing other people's writing. Critiquing various sources (e.g. websites, media reports, scientific journal articles). Searching for online information using specialized databases and more generic sources. Distinguishing plagiarism and independence. Distinguishing different strategies of psychological research.

Additional outcomes:
Regular contact with personal tutor. Group communication which may include presentations.

Outline content:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, practical classes, tutorials, computer study sessions, self-study. We will draw on resources provided by the University (e.g. SOAR website, Library website) as well as producing subject-specific teaching material within the Department.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	6	6	3
Tutorials/seminars	2	2
Practicals		2
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours
Number of essays or assignments	4	3	2
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework:
A variety of written and practical assignments, e.g. essays, resumés, critiques, literature searches, computer-based assessments.
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Examinations:
None
Requirements for a pass:
40%
Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of assignments before end of August.

Last updated: 23 November 2009