📖Program Curriculum
The module details given below are indicative they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Year 1
COMPULSORY MODULES
Introduction to Developmental and Social Psychology
This module will allow you to explore a range of topics in developmental individual differences and social psychology. You will learn about how psychologists have carried out research to better understand human behaviour and thought from expert staff with experience of working in these areas.
Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
You will learn about how psychologists have carried out research to better understand human behaviour and thought from expert staff with experience of working in these areas. Typical topics could include the structure and function of the brain neuronal impulses how we make sense of sensory stimuli memory higher level cognitive processes such as problem solving and the ways in which genes and hormones influence our behaviour.
Answering Questions with Qualitative Data
In this introductory module to qualitative research design and data collection you will learn how you can research human experiences and behaviour using a variety of qualitative data such as interviews and social media. Stepping into the world of qualitative research you will also explore the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of methods as well as reflect on the ethics of various qualitative research designs.
Answering Questions with Quantitative Data
This module will introduce you to the world of psychology research with quantitative data. We will cover a host of topics from what we consider knowledge to be to how do we propose and test hypotheses. As you progress in the module you will learn a host of different analytic methods which allow you to draw conclusions about the world and behaviour around you.
Exploring Psychology Topics I
This module will allow you to develop your understanding of key topics and issues in developmental and social psychology beyond the core topics covered in the module Introduction to developmental and social psychology. It will also introduce you to health psychology and demonstrate how different sub disciplines of psychology can come together to inform different topics.
Exploring Psychology Topics II
This module will allow you to explore a range of authentic topics in cognitive biological and forensic psychology such as driving behaviour how people live with cognitive impairments in ageing and lie detection.
Distress and Mental Health
This module aims to provide you with a broad introduction to contemporary research and practice in the area of mental health and distress. You will cover different models and conceptualisations of mental health (e.g. medical model biopsychosocial model continuum models) psychological approaches to improving mental health how sleep interacts with mental health and looking after your own mental health and wellbeing.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Science Communication
This module will teach you techniques for ensuring your voice as a psychologist is heard as widely as possible. You will design engaging communications suitable for non-specialist audiences providing the opportunity to demonstrate using techniques to produce fascinating and compelling psychological science communications. The module will further make you aware of your communication skills strengths while identifying areas for further development.
Global Challenge Pathways (GCPs)
From year one you will have the option to choose an exciting route of elective study from Keele's ground-breaking Global Challenge Pathways. You can take this alongside your core degree programme to complement and enhance your studies at Keele. Each pathway is designed over the three years of undergraduate study and enables you to engage with a global issue or challenge which connects you directly to societal issues.
Year 2
COMPULSORY MODULES
Developmental and Social Psychology
Classes in developmental psychology will cover topics such as parenting emotional development peer relationships language development. Classes in social psychology will cover core topics such as attitudes social identity group and intergroup behaviour.
Biological and Cognitive Psychology
This module builds upon and extends your knowledge and understanding of key issues in the study of cognitive processes and the biological basis of behaviour. Cognitive topics include processes such as perception attention human learning and memory. Biological topics are related to the central nervous system in normal and pathological conditions.
Qualitative Research Methods
This module aims to advance your understanding of qualitative research methods and analyses used in Psychology and builds on the content of the first-year research methods modules. You will gain an understanding of a variety of methods such as interviewing focus groups world cafes etc. as well as a variety of analysis techniques such as thematic analysis discourse analysis interpretative phenomenological analysis etc.
Statistics for Psychology
This module will cover commonly used advanced research methods in psychology ranging from classical tests through to statistics at the forefront of Psychology. These include factorial ANOVA regression and an introduction to Bayesian analysis. Additionally you will be provided with hands-on experience working on your own research projects.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Psychopathology
In this module we ask the question what has happened to the brain and the cognitive structure of the mind to develop conditions such as autism schizophrenia and depression.
The Psychology of Crime Investigation and Punishment
This module provides an introductory overview of forensic psychology covering the causes of crime and victimisation investigation of crime punishment of crime and life after crime as well as more specialist coverage and discussion of topics such as criminal justice theory forensic evidence false confessions and alternative dispute resolution.
Cyberpsychology - the Psychology of Technology and the Internet
You will explore the effects of the Internet and technology will be examined from a psychological perspective. We will examine many contemporary issues such as online dating the use of social media online advertising and how we interact with others on the Internet.
Collective Action and Social Change
This module will introduce the key theories concepts and psychological processes including but not limited to social norms individual traits conformity identity efficacy and emotion as well as sedative and energizing effects of prejudice reduction strategies.
Sports and Exercise Psychology
You will learn about key psychological theories and concepts relevant performance and adherence to exercise. You will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge of psychology and skills to provide solutions to the challenges faced by athletes and non-athletes in authentic situations.
Foundations of Health Psychology
During this module you will learn about key theories and models from health psychology that help us to understand the psychological aspects of health the main methodological approaches we use to study health psychology and how we can develop health interventions to promote aspects of health. You will also learn more about the inequalities in health that exist in society and what we might be able to do to tackle them.
Neuroimaging & Cognitive Neuroscience
In this module you will learn about the methods and applications of cognitive neuroscience as a way to study brain-behaviour relationships to test psychological theories of cognition and to understand the effects of brain injury and disease. You will be introduced to brain imaging methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and EEG brain stimulation (e.g. TMS) eye-tracking studies of patients with brain injury and more.
Child Psychology in Practice
This module is designed in two sections the first will introduce you to the foundational principles of intervention design and evaluation; it’s critically important to ensure that the work we do with children is the most beneficial it can be. The second section will provide you with overviews of how psychology has been applied in a variety of contexts which may include: how children learn healthy and unhealthy relationships children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) amongst others.
Year 3
COMPULSORY MODULES
Final Year Project (Double) - ISP
During your Final Year Project you will conduct an independent and substantive piece of empirical psychological research under supervision. You will also have the opportunity to develop a research question and hypotheses design a research project and submit an application to gain ethical approval.
Grand Challenges in Psychology
The Grand Challenges in Psychology module will enable you to extend your appreciation of the ways in which psychology and psychological science have developed culturally and historically to get us to where we are now. The topics covered invite you to think critically about current debates and future challenges in a wide range of areas of Psychology such as consciousness and cognition in human and non-human animals the use of psychology for manipulation and control and community action and change.
OPTIONAL MODULES
Psychology in Education
Psychology in Education is designed to develop your understanding of psychological theory research and practice in education. The sessions will introduce theories and research and then ask you to put this into practice in a variety of ways for a variety of audiences. Indicative topics may include Bullying Social skills training and Diversity in the classroom.
Health and Disease
In this module indicative topics include prevention of illness health promotion behaviour change and community approaches to health. In the second half of the module indicative content includes patient and health care professional perspectives regarding becoming ill and diagnosis with diseases such as cancer.
Models of Cognition
This module will develop not only your understanding of key issues in cognitive psychological models but also your capacity to reason and evaluate as a scientist. Indicative topic areas include models of attention memory task switching and judgment and decision making.
Vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice System
This module will discuss vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system covering a range of individual factors such as age gender ethnic and cultural background and mental health issues which can render certain populations more vulnerable in the criminal justice system.
Psychology of Climate Change
Taking a historical and contemporary perspective through a psychological lens this module will provide an in-depth understanding of human areas impacting the climate negatively as well as discussing short- and long-term human impacts fighting the climate change.
Investigative Forensic Psychology
Explores some of the psychological processes relevant to eyewitness testimony. How effectively are people able to describe or recognise a suspect? How accurate is our memory for details of a crime and how can psychological research help us improve the testimony witnesses provide? These questions and more will be considered during the module.
Psychosocial Engineering
Psychosocial engineering is the application of social-psychological techniques to solve problems related to human behaviour. The sessions will teach you up-to-date social psychological theories of behaviour and attitude change along with case studies of their application to tackle real-world problems.
Cognitive Development
When do new-born infants recognise their mother? Can chimpanzees take others' perspectives? Are human infants moral creatures? This module will advance your understanding of key areas of cognitive development. You will discuss studies focusing on developmental populations in human and non-human primates.
Illness and Coping
This module will give you knowledge and skills in health psychology focusing on illness and how people cope with a range of health conditions. You will explore the psychological effects of these conditions on all those living with them including patients family and carers.
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