Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Critical Approaches to Psychology in Education
School	School of Education
Department	Education & Social Justice
Module Code	11 37169
Module Lead	Sarah Gillborn
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-160 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The module examines contemporary and historical socio-political issues within psychology as they relate to questions of inequality and oppression. We will explore the contribution of psychological theories, research, and practice towards addressing and influencing such issues in an educational context. Students will develop a critical understanding of how these issues are investigated and conceptualised in mainstream psychology and in the context of education and education policy. The module will draw on critical psychology to address issues of representation, theorisation, and research in psychological applications to these areas, and will evaluate the structural, social, and practical consequences and implications of these.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the role of psychology in informing education policy and practice; Critically evaluate the influence of psychological theory and research on contemporary issues of inequality; Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, and data used within psychology to make inferences about relevant contemporary issues of social justice within education; Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge and understanding of critical psychology to devise arguments for addressing issues of social justice and inequality within education policy and practice.
Assessment	37169-01 : Take Home Test 1000 words : Exam (School Arranged) - Written Unseen (25%) 37169-02 : Essay 2500 words : Coursework (75%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Take home test (1000 words) 25% and essay (2500 words) 75% Reassessement: resubmisison of failed component where overall module mark is less than the pass mark.
Other
Reading List