Course Details in 2025/26 Session


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Module Title LC Ideas, Concepts, and Ethics in Psychology and Neuroscience
SchoolSchool of Psychology
Department School of Psychology
Module Code 03 39927
Module Lead Dr Afsana Faheem
Level Certificate Level
Credits 10
Semester Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions None
Contact Hours Lecture-10 hours
Seminar-2 hours
Tutorial-4 hours
Practical Classes and workshops-3 hours
Guided independent study-81 hours
Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description The programme in Dubai is not accredited by the BPS, but as it aligns with the Edgbaston programme, these references are included for information.

This module introduces students to the conceptual foundations of psychology and neuroscience as scientific disciplines. The module will consider the status of psychology and neuroscience as scientific disciplines in philosophical discourse, addressing the nature of science more generally as well as the extent to which psychology and neuroscience embody the characteristics of scientific disciplines. The module will also introduce critical perspectives on psychology and neuroscience, including critiques of reductionism, the critical perspective on subjects and subjectivity, and social constructivist approaches to psychological explanation. Lastly, but vitally, the module will address the ethical and moral underpinnings of theory, research and practice in psychology and neuroscience, casting, investigating historical changes in the way we think about ethics in scientific research and practice in order to shed light on the question of how we ensure that psychologists and neuroscientists undertake science and practice in the best interests of the global population.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Describe the nature of science and explain the scientific characteristics of psychology and neuroscience
  • Describe the principal critiques which have been levelled at psychology and neuroscience.
  • Explain some of the ethical and moral questions which need to be considered when determining how psychological and neuroscientific research and practice can be undertaken in the best interests of the global population.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessment:

Assessment:
This module will not be taken alone but as a 10+10 module only (alongside 33859 Developing Skills for Psychologists and Neuroscientists 1, Semester 1). These modules will be assessed synoptically according to the following methods:
1. MCQ Exam (50%)
2. Essay (1,000-words), with annotated bibliography 500 words (50%)\"

Reassessment:

Submission of an alternative coursework assessment in the supplementary coursework summer period.
Other
Reading List