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

Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (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 2010/2011	None.	Queen's Campus Stockton

Pre-requisites

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
The module will also cover related conceptual and historical issues in psychology

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Detailed knowledge of the study of consciousness, including current theory, evidence, and research methods
In-depth knowledge of models and empirical studies of consciousness in normal and brain-damaged patients

Subject-specific Skills

Ability to review critically and consolidate understanding of a coherent body of psychological knowledge and apply it appropriately

Key Skills

Good written communication skills
Good IT skills in word processing, data manipulation, and data presentation
Ability to work independently in scholarship and research within broad guidelines

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%	2000 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.