Modules

Access

• People, work and society Access module (Y032)

  Are you new to higher education study or returning after a break? This Access module – designed to develop the key skills required for successful university study – is an ideal starting point. You may even be able to study for free. It covers a broad range of subject areas, including children and young people; health; law; management; psychology; and social science to prepare you for a range of qualifications. You’ll study four themes: Individuals; Families and relationships; Organisations and communities; and Society. This module will also gently introduce you to computing and online learning; the perfect way to gain the study skills you’ll need for the next step in your studies.

Level 1

• Introducing the social sciences (DD102)

  This OU level 1 module provides an ideal introduction to the social sciences –  social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology. You’ll explore a wide range of topics which shape the nature of contemporary UK society; from questions of identity, inequalities and differences to consumerism and environment, and issues of social order, disorder and governance. Using a blend of text, audio, video and online materials, you’ll be equipped with a range of skills for independent study and for your personal and working life.

• Investigating psychology 1 (DE100)

  Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic pieces of psychological research, this key introductory course provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of psychology. You will explore the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and find out how psychological research addresses real-life issues with an opportunity to conduct a psychological study of your own. You will be provided with two textbooks and access to a comprehensive website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and interactive activities which are designed to help you develop your knowledge and skills.

Level 2

• Exploring mental health and counselling (D241)

  This module locates counselling within the broader field of mental health and provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to the often controversial debates around mental health/illness and the main theories and practices in counselling. The module will critically examine the definitions and understandings of mental health issues and the ways they are treated in the related fields of practice, especially in counselling and psychotherapy. You'll be presented with recent theoretical debates and contemporary international research to inform and help you develop a critical understanding of the themes and issues related to mental health and counselling.

• Investigating psychology 2 (DE200)

  This module takes an integrative approach, focusing on the everyday questions that psychology can help us to answer. Why do we help one another? Do you see what I see? How do we know what’s right? Investigating how we understand others and the world around us, the module draws on biological, cognitive, developmental and social research in psychology to help you answer questions such as these. You will also learn how to design and conduct your own research, covering a number of different methods for gathering and analysing evidence on psychological processes.

• Living psychology: from the everyday to the extraordinary (DD210)

  This module draws on classic and contemporary theory and research in psychology and applies them to a broad range of contexts. You will learn how psychologists have studied both practical and theoretical issues, such as nationalism or sexuality, with a particular emphasis on understanding and solving problems that directly affect people’s lives. You will explore core academic areas of psychology as set out by the British Psychological Society (e.g. social, cognitive, developmental) and applied aspects of professional practice (e.g. clinical, forensic, counselling). You will also develop your understanding of psychological research methods, along with other useful academic and employability skills.

Level 3

• Advancing social psychology (DD317)

  Social psychologists study people as social beings, looking at their relationships and shared experiences in context. This module focuses on contemporary UK society and life as a 21st century person in a changing world. The module explores current issues, including gender, multiculturalism, immigration, global conflicts and work. It also adopts a critical perspective towards psychology itself. You will learn about recent research findings and different social psychological theories and approaches. As preparation for future study, work and life activities, you will develop the academic and communication skills you need to study independently and follow your own interests.

• Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)

  This module draws on recent theoretical debates and research to critically explore the fascinating relationship between counselling and forensic psychology. You will learn about media representations of crime and therapy and the role of sociocultural issues in both forensic and therapeutic work. You will be introduced to the most common and effective therapeutic approaches for working with offenders/victims of crime, and explore therapeutic and forensic aspects around sex and sexuality. You will develop an understanding of the dichotomies and emerging themes in this area and the challenges of providing therapy in a forensic setting.

• Investigating psychology 3 (DE300)

  This module builds on Investigating psychology 2 and takes a critical and creative approach to methodology in psychology, with a substantive empirical project. Experimentation, survey methodology and text-based qualitative analyses (discourse analysis and phenomenological analysis) are explored through the topics of memory, language, creativity, personality, child development, emotions, and relationships. These topics are also used to present research in the core domains of biological, cognitive, developmental individual differences and social psychology. In addition, quantitative and qualitative methods are taught. Students can express a preference for the method to be used in their independent project: text-based analysis, experimentation, or survey.

Postgraduate Modules

• Evaluating psychology: research and practice (DD803)

  This module examines how cognitive, social, counselling and forensic psychology research fosters understanding and helps to solve real-world problems in three domains - the home, workplace and society. In this module, you'll focus on socially-relevant topics that showcase the research and methodological expertise of the School of Psychology. You'll become equipped to evaluate psychological knowledge claims, theories, research (studies and methods) and applications, creating educated consumers/commissioners of psychological research. You'll also have the opportunity to engage in an independent project. By the end of the module, you'll have gained the confidence to use advanced psychological knowledge to participate in public debate and policy development.

• Investigating forensic psychology (DD802)

  This module follows several criminal cases to explore forensic psychology and its application to understanding, preventing, and detecting crime. Topics include investigative decision making, witness memory, profiling, lie detection, terrorism, violent crime, sexual offences and cybercrime. You'll explore how psychological research is conducted and applied, critically evaluate its contribution to practice, and learn to communicate this to lay audiences. This module suits students who work in related areas, want to extend their knowledge in forensic psychology, and are not pursuing BPS accreditation in forensic psychology. While advantageous, you do not have to have a psychology degree to study this module.

• Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801)

  If you work in a context which makes considerable use of social or psychological research or are fascinated by social research then this module, taught entirely online, equips you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to appraise research and communicate your assessment to academic and non-academic audiences. Combining topics from criminology and psychology, it adds value to your career by providing professional development in research literacy, managing research and conceiving of new studies. Upon completion of this module you will have the professional research appraisal skills needed to support your continuing postgraduate studies in psychology, forensic psychology or crime and justice.