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PSYC1061: Academic Skill Development for Psychology

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 1
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Psychology

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to fundamental skills required for studying Psychology at degree level.
  • To provide an opportunity for students to practice psychological literacy skills in a small group tutorial context.

Content

  • The module will introduce academic skills related to psychological literacy and studying at degree level.
  • The skills covered will include aspects of written and oral communication in line with psychological literacy skills, e.g. summarizing articles, critical evaluation, presentations.
  • Skill teaching will be embedded within the context of key areas/issues (research-led by members of staff) in Psychology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Acquisition of knowledge in core areas of Psychology in research-led manner

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Academic skills related to psychological literacy and study at degree level.

Key Skills:

  • Developing ability to organise and utilise knowledge.
  • Finding and summarizing evidence
  • Making an argument
  • Critical evaluation of evidence
  • Developing written communication skills
  • Developing oral communication skills eg. academic posters and presentations
  • Writing and presenting for a range of audiences
  • Reflective approach to feedback

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Asynchronous online recordings will introduce students to the relevant academic skills that will be practiced throughout the module.
  • The in-person, small-group tutorials in this module will give students opportunities to practice academic skills, give and receive feedback from tutors and peers. Assessment of this knowledge will be carried out via a portfolio, a summative essay and a reflective piece.
  • The tutorials develop students ability to organise and utilise knowledge and to present that knowledge.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Asynchronous lectures101 fortnightly1 Hour10 
In person Lecture21 per Term2 Hours4 
Small Group Tutorials101 fortnightly1 Hour10Yes
Examination Revision Session1First week of Easter Term2 Hours2 
General Revision Session1Second week of Easter Term1 Hour1 
Preparation and Reading173 
Total200 
 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 30%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Reflective Essay1000 words100Yes
Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 70%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination2 hours100Yes

Formative Assessment

Essay submitted in term 1

More information

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