This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module PSYS3161: THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Department: Psychology (Applied Psychology) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

PSYS3161: THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	3	20	Available in 2006/2007	None.	Queen's Campus Stockton

Pre-requisites

Modules to the value of 100 credits from Level 2 Applied Psychology (C810) OR Brain Processes of Perception & Cognition (PSYC2111)

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combinations

Architecture of Vision (PSYC3181) OR Neuropsychology (PSYC3011)

Aims

To provide an introduction to the scientific study of consciousness.

Content

Is it possible to study consciousness scientifically?
Philosophical issues in the study of consciousness
The neural bases of consciousness
Brain-damage and awareness
Consciousness & cognition

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Students passing this module should be able to:
Explain the ways in which consciousness is studied scientifically.
Describe models and empirical studies of consciousness in normal subjects and brain-damaged patients.

Subject-specific Skills

Students passing this module should be able to:
Locate, read and review a body of research evidence.
Adopt and critically evaluate different theoretical perspectives and see the relationships between them.
Interpret and evaluate the significance of empirical work.

Key Skills

Students passing this module should be able to:
Undertake critical evaluation of the quality of evidence and arguments.
Communicate complex ideas effectively in their written work producing a clear, well-written essay.
Demonstrate independent learning.

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

Knowledge and understanding is developed through the weekly 2 hour sessions involving variety of learning modes including lectures, student presentations, video-based material, and some small group work.
This knowledge will be assessed in the summative assessment, and the written examination. These assessments will be essay-based, providing students with the opportunities to demonstrate their abilities to appraise and apply empirical and theoretical in a critical manner.
Preparations for presentations promote students abilities to locate, read and evaluate a body of evidence. These abilities are assessed via the summative essay and written examination. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment.
All modes of teaching are designed to promote critical evaluation of evidence and arguments, to adopt different theoretical positions, and to interpret empirical work in terms of theory. Assessment of these abilities is based on the summative essay and written examination. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment.
Written communication skills are developed through the preparation for the essay and examinations. Assessment of the skills is based on these formative assessments. Feedback is provided for the summative assessment.
Good IT skills are required for the preparation of the summative essays. Feedback is provided regarding the adequacy of these skills where necessary.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours
Lecture & seminar sessions	22	Weekly	2	44
Preparation & reading				156
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	75%	Examination	2 hours	100%	None
Summative Essay	25%	2500 Word Essay		100%	None

Formative Assessment

Workshop Presentation.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.