PY1PAW-Psychology at Work

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Mini placement
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Amanda Branson

Email: A.Branson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Psychology at Work

Aims:

The aims of this module are for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the role of psychology in the workplace. Students will examine the theoretical background of topics such as Leadership, Team Building, Stress at Work and Motivation, whilst gaining essential practical skills, including facilitation of small group activities and discussions. Students will have an opportunity to observe and apply their knowledge and skills in interactive lecture sessions and within a real-life setting in a work placement. The module also provides students with an opportunity to critically reflect on their own skills and the role of psychology in the workplace. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the techniques required for successful facilitation


• Critically reflect and evaluate knowledge and skill developed through engagement with the module


• Relate psychological theory and skills to a workplace context.

Additional outcomes:

Students who complete a work placement as part of this module will be able to discuss the experiences they gained while on placement in relation to the knowledge and skills developed in lectures. 

Outline content:

Lectures cover topics including:

(a) How to facilitate meetings

(b) Training and Development

(c) Team building

(d) Psychological Safety in Teams

(e) Selection and Assessment

(f) Leadership

(g) Stress at work

(h) Bias in the Workplace

(i) Motivation

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

a) Interactive lectures

(b) Interactive skill practice sessions

(c) Finding, organising and completing a work placement

(d) Reading from recommended texts and journal articles

(e) either, Completion of placement diary and a reflective report on use of skills while on placement, or

(f) Practice and feedback for multiple choice questions relating to the use of skills by organisations

NB The contact hours in the table below are indicative of the contact hours for students studying this module in the UK, and may vary for students taking this module at branch campuses. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	18
Placement	40
Guided independent study:	42
Total hours by term	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	20
Practical skills assessment	10
Class test administered by School	70

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed by coursework. Coursework components include:

Contribution to class discussion.

All students contribute to class discussions by facilitating one class-room based activity during the term (10%) and write a reflective report on their experience of facilitation, with reference to the feedback they receive on their contribution from peers (20%).

AND EITHER

Assessment of the ability to apply lecture topics to a Work Placement (70%). Students who have arranged a suitable work placement by the deadline submit: a reflective placement diary, recording and reflecting on the activities undertaken whilst on placement, and on how lecture topics can be applied to those experiences; and an hour’s log, signed by the placement supervisor/manager, evidencing completion of at least 40 hours.

OR

Assessment of the ability to apply lecture topics to specified work-place scenarios (70%).

Students who are unable to arrange a placement by the deadline will complete an end-of-term class test assessing their understanding of the material covered in lectures and ability to apply this knowledge to work-place scenarios. 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will receive peer feedback on their facilitated activity. Weekly continuous assessment questions will provide feedback to students on their knowledge and understanding of lecture content.  

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment is by a written assignment.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019