This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module PSYC1061: Academic Skill Development for Psychology
Department: Psychology
PSYC1061: Academic Skill Development for Psychology
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 1 | 20 | Available in 2025/2026 | Durham |
Tied To
Pre-requisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- To introduce students to fundamental skills required for studying Psychology at degree level.
- To provide an opportunity for students to practice psychological literacy skills in a small group tutorial context.
Content
- The module will introduce academic skills related to psychological literacy and studying at degree level.
- The skills covered will include aspects of written and oral communication in line with psychological literacy skills, e.g. summarizing articles, critical evaluation, presentations.
- Skill teaching will be embedded within the context of key areas/issues (research-led by members of staff) in Psychology
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Acquisition of knowledge in core areas of Psychology in research-led manner
Subject-specific Skills
- Academic skills related to psychological literacy and study at degree level.
Key Skills
- Developing ability to organise and utilise knowledge.
- Finding and summarizing evidence
- Making an argument
- Critical evaluation of evidence
- Developing written communication skills
- Developing oral communication skills – eg. academic posters and presentations
- Writing and presenting for a range of audiences
- Reflective approach to feedback
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Asynchronous online recordings will introduce students to the relevant academic skills that will be practiced throughout the module.
- The in-person, small-group tutorials in this module will give students opportunities to practice academic skills, give and receive feedback from tutors and peers. Assessment of this knowledge will be carried out via a portfolio, a summative essay and a reflective piece.
- The tutorials develop students’ ability to organise and utilise knowledge and to present that knowledge.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous lectures | 10 | 1 fortnightly | 1 Hour | 10 | |
| In person Lecture | 2 | 1 per Term | 2 Hours | 4 | |
| Small Group Tutorials | 10 | 1 fortnightly | 1 Hour | 10 | Yes |
| Examination Revision Session | 1 | First week of Easter Term | 2 Hours | 2 | |
| General Revision Session | 1 | Second week of Easter Term | 1 Hour | 1 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 173 | ||||
| 0 | |||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 30% | Reflective Essay | 1000 words | 100% | |
| Examination | 70% | Examination | 2 hours | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Essay submitted in term 1
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.