University of the
West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USPJDM-20-3 Title: Contemporary Issues in Social Psychology Version:
Level: UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:
Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field:
Faculty Committee approval: Quality and Standards Committee Date: September 2010
Approved for Delivery by: N/A
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites:
USPJDB-20-2 Social and Developmental Psychology 2, Or USPJDJ-20-2 Developmental and Social Psychology 2, Or USPJLB-30-2 Social and Theoretical Psychology: Conceptual and Historical Issues 2
Co-requisites:
Entry Requirements:
N/A
Excluded Combinations:
Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
• demonstrate an awareness and understanding of contemporary issues and debates in social psychology;
• critically evaluate a range of perspectives and conceptual approaches in social psychology;
• appreciate the significance of new directions in methodology, and demonstrate an ability to critically analyse recent research in social psychology;
• critically evaluate the application of social psychological theory and research to a range of contemporary social issues;
• perform a coherent and critically aware evaluation of an issue of contemporary concern in relation to contemporary social psychology theory.
Syllabus Outline:
This module will cover a range of contemporary theories and research in social psychology. Students will be introduced to a number of different theoretical perspectives, a range of contemporary debates, and some of the key controversies in the discipline. In addition, students will be presented with the ways in which contemporary social psychology has been applied to the analysis of key issues in society, and will be asked to critically evaluate the role that social psychology plays in understanding these issues.
Specific issues explored may include:
• The history and development of social psychology as a discipline and the “crisis in social psychology”
• Perspectives and key theoretical developments in social psychology
• Key methodological developments in social psychology; debates around the social production of knowledge
• Environmental psychology and the social psychology of space
• Identities and social psychology
• Anthropological and cross-cultural social psychology
• The application of contemporary social psychology theories to social issues such as anti-social behaviour, immigration, and the consumption practices of young people.
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Students will be taught using a mixture of lectures, discussion and activities within lectures, and independent supervised learning.
Reading Strategy:
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.
Indicative Reading List:
Benwell, B. & Stokoe E (2006). Discourse and Identity. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Bonnes, M., Lee, T. & Bonaiuto, M. (2003). (Eds.), Psychological Theories for Environmental Issues.Aldershot: Ashgate.
Brown, R. & Gaertner, S. (2000). Blackwell Handbook of Social Psychology: Intergroup Processes. Oxford: Blackwell.
Dovidio, J. F., Piliavin, J. A., Schroeder, D. A., & Penner, L. A. (2006). The social psychology of prosocial behavior. London: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Durrheim, K. & Dixon, J.A. (2005). Racial Encounter: The Social Psychology of Contact and Desegregation. London: Psychology Press.
Hogg, M. & Tindale, S. (2001). Blackwell Handbook of Social Psychology: Group Processes. Oxford: Blackwell.
Hollway, W., Lucey, H. & Phoenix, A. (2007). Social Psychology Matters. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Langdridge, D. & Taylor, S. (2007). Critical Readings in Social Psychology. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Postmes, T., & Jetten, J. (Eds.). (2006). Individuality and the group: Advances in social identity. London: Sage.
Reicher, S. & Hopkins, N. (2001). Self and Nation. London: Sage.
Indicative Journals:
British Journal of Social Psychology
Discourse & Society
Environment & Behavior
European Journal of Social Psychology
Feminism and Psychology
Journal of Applied and Community Social Psychology
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Political Psychology
Assessment:
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%
FIRST ATTEMPT
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
EX1 |
|||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW1 |
|||
CW2 |
|||
Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) further attendance at taught classes
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
EX2 |
|||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW3 |
|||
EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)