Dissertation

(40 credits – compulsory)

In this double module we invite students to select an educational topic of personal interest to be explored through field research in real educational settings and reported in a written study of some 10,000 words.  The dissertation is designed to enable students to investigate educational phenomena that hold particular interest for in them and actively encourages the exercise of originality and personal autonomy. The module aims to draw and build upon students’ previous knowledge and experience.

Research Methods

(20 credits – compulsory)

This module aims to equip students with key knowledge, understanding and skills to enable students to engage with research at undergraduate dissertation level.  Students will be introduced to knowledge and skills necessary to understand literature evaluation, research design, data and information collection techniques, data analysis and interpretation and academic writing.Professional Reflection and Intellectual Enquiry(20 credits – compulsory)This module focuses on personal development as a professional in the workplace. To help analyse issues surrounding professional enquiry students will be introduced to a range of theoretical positions including reflection, biographical approaches and life history in order to critically investigate professional experience and identity.

Professional Leadership and Change

(20 credits – compulsory)

This module provides students with the opportunity to gain a reflective understanding of the current issues around leadership, with a particular focus on the management of change. This will involve developing a range of skills, knowledge and understanding concerned with team membership, management and leadership as well as pertinent theories to support becoming an effective leader. Theoretical perspectives and research on leadership and management will be presented and analysed in order to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the roles and values of professionals from a range of backgrounds. Students will also participate in activities that will enable them to learn from their own and others’ experience of leadership and management in practice in order to develop their own leadership and management strengths.

Applied Psychological Perspectives

(20 credits – compulsory)

This module examines key ways in which psychology contributes to understanding both individual and organisational aspects of professional practice. Individual, group and societal processes will be critically considered, as a basis for supporting professional development, interventions and decision making more generally. The module emphasises the ways in which a professional identity emerges interactively as a ‘psychological object’ and ways our subjective mental states and larger dynamic processes shape and challenge these processes. Space will be given to divergent approaches to problem solving, acceptance and optimising professional performance. Conflict between different psychological stances (including rival theoretical models) will be highlighted to support critical engagement with the topic. Intrapersonal and relational approaches will be included.

Tuesday 13th September: Induction session 5pm to 7pm

Reading lists on Moodle will be made available to students.