Education with Psychology BA(Hons)

This module introduces the study of education including education as a business and its contribution to the labour market. It examines the historical and political dimensions which have shaped the modern educational system. Your understanding of the nature and purposes of education will be developed through the examination of key theoretical perspectives and educational ideologies. Your understanding will be assessed through a presentation examining the education systems in England and one other country. You will also produce an annotated bibliography of the key texts used to prepare the presentation.

You'll study the major perspectives and methodologies in child development. The module focuses on applied settings such as education, the mental health system, the criminal justice system and the wider social world. You'll consider how developmental concepts have influenced the work of professionals in understanding development. The module will also help you in your transition to studying at degree level.

In this module you will study Personality and Social Psychology. The module addresses three important questions. How do psychologists study personality? How do psychologists study individual and group behaviours, such as attitudes and language? Is Personality best understood as originating in constitutional or social factors?

You'll be introduced to the main counselling theories (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and person-centred) and explore how they relate to helping skills within the Egan model of helping. You'll explore the counselling theories using exercises and case studies in order to develop an understanding of the different approaches.

This module explores the impact of different philosophical systems on the way that education is conceived and put into practice. You will have the opportunity to design an ideal educational system based on your own unique philosophy and representing your own values.

You'll be supported to build on your knowledge of social psychology and personality psychology through lectures and seminars. You'll consider some of the key issues we face in our world today, including crowds and social conflict, group processes and identity and close relationships.

You'll be supported to build on your knowledge of developmental psychology considering human development within the context of social experiences and everyday life. You'll critically consider a range of psychological approaches across the lifespan through the discussion and application of a socio-cultural ontology. You'll also review and evaluate current research in developmental psychology and reflect on its merit in explaining individual developmental trajectories.

You'll have the opportunity to build on your knowledge of broad counselling perspectives developed in Year 1, by exploring in greater detail different approaches to counselling. This may include examining cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, humanist-existential, systemic and constructionist approaches. You'll critically reflect on the implications of these differing perspectives for practice.

You’ll explore areas of psychology that relate to gender and sexuality through the study of published literature and will attend lectures based on a variety of topical areas of interest in the study of gender and sexuality.

This module allows you to pursue your academic and work-related interests and to demonstrate the breadth of knowledge, understanding, and strengths that you have developed during your degree studies. You will review critical understanding of project planning and evaluation, research protocols, methods, ethics, and analysis. You will be supported in the selection of a focus for your final project, in the development of an application for ethical approval, and at each stage of your study. Your final year project will focus on an empirical research, policy or practice development, documentary research, policy analysis, entrepreneurship activity, or other options in negotiation with your tutor. This module is your opportunity to work together with a supervisor to confidently and rigorously undertake a valid project.

You will examine definitions and different understandings of inclusion and models of disability, considering a national and global context. You will explore the impact these different definitions and models have on educational policy and practice. You will critically analyse current approaches to inclusion in a range of settings. You will develop your understanding of approaches to inclusive planning, teaching and assessment that ensures accessibility, challenge and achievability for all pupils.

This module explores the context of and responses to a range of social, emotional and mental health needs in educational settings. Your understanding of different techniques that can be used to promote positive social, emotional and mental health plus behaviours for learning will be developed. You will explore causes of social, emotional and mental health needs, and look at how these can lead to dysregulated behaviour as well as the way that emotional and other difficulties can be recognised in one-to-one, small group encounters and whole class contexts. You will also consider theoretical aspects of supporting positive social, emotional and mental health, alongside behaviour management.

You'll study contemporary psychological research and theories of personal and intimate relationships. This will include material on different perspectives on personal relationships, physical attractiveness and attraction, how people form, maintain and end intimate relationships, sex differences in relationship behaviour, online relationships, and attachment and self-esteem in intimate relationships.

The complex factors which interact to construct learning will be explored, using a mix of psychological theories and their influence on educational policy in schools and on further and higher education. You'll be supported to develop an understanding of how different people are enabled and disabled, in participating in learning and education.