PN4110 The Narratives that Shape Psychology and Neuroscience

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students in the second year of the Honours Programme

Planned timetable

Tues 11-1pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr A R O'Connor

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Erin Robbins and Dr Akira O'Connor

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Students will critically explore the narratives that shape Psychological and Neuroscience, explore alternative narratives that broaden the canon, and consider ways in which teaching, research, science communication, and the higher education setting in which they are situated, can be made more diverse and more inclusive. Through weekly lectures and student-led presentations and discussion, this course will develop critical thinking skills, and engage students in socio-politically collaborative, active scholarship. Students will consider issues such as: - philosophical and cultural underpinnings of Western Psychology and Neuroscience; - the influence of eugenics and race science on Statistics and Educational Psychology; - psychiatric diagnosis as a lever for social control; - the inequities that perpetuate basic and cognitive neuroscience; - the marginalisation of women and minoritised peoples.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS PN2001 OR PASS PS2001 ) AND ( PASS PN2002 OR PASS PS2002 )

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100% - Resubmission of failed components

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2hr taught sessions (x11 weeks) comprising 1hr lecture and 1hr discussion and presentation

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of how diversification and decolonisation have been defined and implemented, with understanding of concrete examples from within Psychology and Neuroscience.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how diversification interventions have been made, how they have been received, and how they have succeeded and failed.
  • Demonstrate capacity to use knowledge of theory and practice to propose a diversification intervention.
  • Awareness of and experience using consensus decision-making to facilitate productive discussion on potentially divisive issues.
  • Read and critique current and historical primary literature at an advanced level.
  • Present and critique diversification- and decolonisation-focused ideas in a manner suitable for an audience of their choosing, actively considering the choice of media.