PC5067 - Social and Cultural Understanding of Us and Others (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25, but may be subject to modification | ||||||||
| Module title | Social and Cultural Understanding of Us and Others | ||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module examines social perception and behaviour in terms of how individuals think about and seek to understand their social world through their interactions with others at the group and societal levels. The module will provide students with an understanding of:
• key theories and models of social psychology in their historical and cultural contexts;
• how these areas can be scientifically and ethically investigated using appropriate research methodologies;
• how knowledge of social psychology can be ethically applied to the ‘real-world’ and their relevance to a range of settings.
This will develop students’ employability by providing a basis of knowledge and understanding which will be beneficial in future work and training (e.g. understanding the underlying dynamics of interpersonal and intergroup relations) and foster skills in the development of psychological assessment, academic argument and critical evaluation.
Prior learning requirements
Any introductory psychology module
Syllabus
Topics will be drawn from: social attribution and cognition, self and identity, intergroup behaviour, language and communication; critical and cross-cultural social psychology.
Learning Outcomes LO 1 - 3
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
The module is delivered through a variety of teaching and learning methods. A combination of group and individual activities will take place within a framework of lectures, seminars and workshops. Supplementary guided learning via WebLearn and self-managed private study will be provided when suitable.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will:
1. have in-depth knowledge, understanding and real-life applications of key theories relating to social cognition, social identity, and social behaviour and the relationship between individuals, society and culture;
2. be able to critically evaluate key concepts, theories and empirical work and debate the comparative merits of both cross-cultural findings and different types of explanation and methodology;
3. be able to critically evaluate key concepts, theories and empirical work and debate the comparative merits and ethics of different types of explanation and methodology taking into account cross-cultural variations and gaps.
Assessment strategy
The summative assessment consists of one piece of coursework (OR SEEN EXAM IF IT SUITS THE BSc PLANNING) providing the opportunity to discuss and reflect on cross-cultural social psychology topics.
Students will choose either a written essay topic or a photo from a given pool (or be allowed to produce their own photo) and either:
i) write an essay type of answer, or
ii) create a PowerPoint presentation with notes on how a topic/photo can be discussed/seen from several angles within social psychology.
Students will have the opportunity to engage in similar peer-reviewed formative exercises in class.
A minimum grade of 40% in the assessment is required to pass the module.