Module PPP-1008:
Faith and Culture

Module Facts

Run by School of Psychology

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Gareth Harvey

Overall aims and purpose

This module will provide students with an introduction to the fascinating fields of Psychology and Culture and the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. We will ask such questions as: Why is ritual important within faith? How does the perception of pain differ across cultures? How does parenting differ across cultures? How does having a faith affect physical and/or mental health? We will also investigate Anomalistic Psychology and look at how Psychology attempts to explain anomalous experiences and belief in the paranormal. Students will describe and discuss the current psychological research within these fields.

Course content

Summary of Course Content:

The module will cover a range of current topics in the domains of both faith and culture. A typical curriculum will look at what faith and culture actually are and how they affect human interactions; how faith and culture change across the lifespan; how they affect us as individuals and as groups of people, and the application of research into faith and culture to our everyday lives, with a particular emphasis on mental and physical health. The final lecture in the series will look at the topic of anomalistic psychology.

Throughout the course, there will be emphasis on examining the methodologies used to investigate the issues and the models developed by researchers in the field. We will take a highly scientific viewpoint of some contentious issues that shape human behaviour.

Assessment Criteria

good

B+ to B-
• A good knowledge and understanding of topic areas presented. • Well-structured and mostly relevant coverage of the current field. • A demonstration of some independent research from academic sources outside of lectures and recommended readings. • Mostly logically presented and factually correct arguments, often defended by sound scientific evidence • Some original interpretation applied to problems, with good synthesis and critical thinking skills shown. • Good presentation of material, mostly adhering to APA standards and communicating scientific content well.

C+ to C- grades will reflect these same criteria but presented with less competence and/or from a narrower perspective.

excellent

A** to A- • A comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of topic areas presented. • Well-structured and highly relevant coverage of the current field. • A clear demonstration of independent research from academic sources outside of lectures and recommended readings. • Logically presented and factually correct arguments, defended by sound scientific evidence • Original interpretation applied to problems, with excellent synthesis and critical thinking skills shown. • Excellent presentation of material, fully adhering to APA standards and clearly communicating scientific content.

threshold

D+ to D- • A basic knowledge and understanding of topic areas presented. • Some structural issues and only some of the relevant information within the field covered. • Little demonstration of some independent research from academic sources outside of lectures and recommended readings. • Few logically presented and factually correct arguments, mostly undefended by sound scientific evidence • Little original interpretation applied to problems, with few synthesis and critical thinking skills shown. • Weak presentation of material, with little adherence to APA standards and lack of clear communication of scientific content.

Learning outcomes

Present information about the topics studied in an objective and scientific manner
Describe and evaluate methods of studying Faith and Culture in Psychology
Describe and discuss some of the critical and contentious issues in Anomalistic Psychology
Describe current issues within the Psychology of Faith and Culture
Discuss scientific research into Faith and Culture

Assessment Methods

Type	Name	Description	Weight
ESSAY	Critical Essay	In this 1500 word essay, students will have the opportunity to explore issues around the current literature in either the Psychology of Faith of the Psychology of Culture. The essay will therefore be a critical review of scientific literature. Current scientific evidence will be presented to defend original ideas and to support claims made to address the essay question.	50
EXAM	Final exam	This exam will be made up of one essay question and two short answer questions. The material across the whole of the course will be tested. The essay question will be worth 60% of the exam grade and each short answer question will be worth 20%.	50

Teaching and Learning Strategy

		Hours
Private study		78
Lecture	Lectures - 22 hours. 2 hours per week in a large lecture theatre (approx. 300 students). Material will be presented in lecture format. Learning check questions will be given at the end of each session to guide students in their reading and revision.	22

Transferable skills

Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
Be computer literate for the purpose of processing and disseminating psychological data and information.
Retrieve and organise information effectively.
Handle primary source material critically.
Be sensitive and react appropriately to contextual and interpersonal psychological factors.
Use effectively personal planning and project management skills.
Work effectively under pressure (time pressure, limited resources, etc) as independent and pragmatic learners.
Problem-solve by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions, making critical judgements, and evaluating outcomes.
Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.

Resources

Resource implications for students

Students can choose to buy the core textbook if they like, although this is available in the library.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ppp-1008.html

Reading list