BA in Education Studies - Psychology

Year 1

In the first year, there are three compulsory modules in Education which introduce, and induct you into the world of education studies. Specifically, each module draws from different perspectives on education, which could be historical, sociological, philosophical, psychological, cultural and/or political; these different lenses allow you to begin to consider ‘big’ questions about education and the world. You will also spend time studying three modules in your partner department.

Education modules

• History of Education
• Context of Education
• Learning and Teaching.

Psychology Modules

In your first year of study, you will undertake three modules to the value of 60 credits in the Psychology department including an optional module.

• Introduction to Psychological Research (compulsory)(40 credits)

In previous years, optional modules available included:

• Introduction to Psychology I: Cognitive and Biological Psychology (20 credits)
• Introduction to Psychology II: Developmental, and Social Psychology(20 credits).

Year 2

In the second year, you have more choice and ownership over your studies, as you pick two Education modules. In general, modules examine topics in more depth and detail, and again, often come from certain perspectives. For example Constructions of Childhood uses a sociological and cultural position, to analyze what it means to be a child in the world; in addition, it asks what childhood means to the world. Whereas Learning in the Early Years examines children but from a child developmental psychological perspective. Hence, you can pick which ontological position you prefer, or mix and match these contrasting views. There is also a chance to study Harry Potter, which may interest some muggles!

Everyone also studies Education Research Methods, which examines approaches to, and the interpretation of, educational research.

Again, half of your time will be spent in your partner department.

Education modules

• Education Research Methods (compulsory module)

In previous years, optional modules available included:

• Identity, Culture, and Education
• Constructing Childhood and Youth
• Learning in the Early Years
• The Philosophy of Social Science
• Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion
• Higher Education: Issues of Exclusion and Inclusion.

Psychology Modules

The 2nd and 3rd years in Psychology cover core areas including Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Individual Differences, Abnormal Psychology, and Research Methods and Statistics. In recent years these have been taught within three 20-credit modules in the 2nd year and further modules in the 3rd year (see below):

• Biological Psychology and Perception (20 credits)
• Topics in Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)
• Social and Developmental Psychology (20 credits).

Year 3

In the final year, you have even more ownership over your studies. This largely comes through the Dissertation, which is a double module. Specifically, the Dissertation entails choosing a topic to study in-depth and being supported through this by an academic member of staff. Some students use the dissertation to make links to their partner department, as such, we encourage a wide range of proposals. For example, one recent dissertation, ‘Simply Mothballs’, explored the relationship between children’s literature and national identity. Another, entitled ‘Rice, Rum, Reggae, and Risk’, investigated the effects of HIV/AIDS peer education programmes in Belize. Here, the student undertook independent research during her visit to Belize as part of her volunteer work for a charity. In a recent report the course’s external examiner said that the breadth of Dissertation topics studied was ‘inspiring’, and many students regard the Dissertation as the most enjoyable and important piece of work they undertake at Durham.

In addition, you study modules to the value of 80 credits, from education and your partner department. Within this, you can pick one second-year module.

Education modules

• Dissertation (compulsory module)

In previous years, optional modules available included:

• Citizenship Education
• Political Sociology of Education
• Responding to Special Educational Needs.

Psychology Modules

In recent years core content taught in the 3rd year comprised:

• Individual difference and Abnormal Psychology (compulsory module) (20 credits)
• Psychology Project and Statistics (compulsory module) (20 credits).

You will also have the chance to select optional modules to the value of 20 credits from a range of topics.

In previous years optional modules available included:

• Social Perception (20 credits)
• Learning and Animal Cognition (20 credits)
• Developmental Psychology (20 credits)
• Human Evolutionary Psychology (10 credits)
• Neuropsychology of Memory Beyond Amnesia (10 credits)
• Cognitive Neuropsychology (10 credits).

Throughout the three years, you are encouraged to make links between the education half of the programme and your partner department. The Education Studies degree has consistently achieved 100% student satisfaction in the NSS survey.