PY3HP-Health Psychology

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 6
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Dr KN Harvey
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: k.n.harvey@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. Using short lectures, student-led presentations, discussion and small group work this course will introduce key topics in health psychology. Initially the focus will be on theories of health beliefs, models of health behaviour and illness cognitions. These theories and models will then be applied to specific health behaviours. Students will have some choice about which health behaviours are examined. Possibilities include smoking, alcohol use, exercise, obesity and eating behaviour, sex (contraception and STDs), health screening, and stress.

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.

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

Last updated: 23 November 2009