APME79-Nudge and Behaviour Change

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Anna Macready
Email: a.l.macready@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Over the past decade, the need to apply strategies to change behaviour for the benefit of society and future generations has become apparent, through numerous initiatives such as public health and sustainability campaigns. Integrating key perspectives in behavioural economics and psychology through lectures, case studies, group discussions and presentations, identify the major challenges and opportunities in behaviour change theory today and gain the knowledge and skills to become a leader in developing and utilising nudge and behaviour change strategies in practice.

Aims:

Over the past decade the importance of behaviour change in our society has become very apparent. Hence the need to understating and apply strategies to change behaviour for the benefit of society is important for future generations. Worldwide campaigns such as the stop smoking campaigns and numerous eating healthy campaigns are examples of such behaviour change initiatives.  This module will focus on help participants to understand and evaluate theory, techniques and models of behaviour change including when to apply them appropriately. Understand and apply systematic design processes to create effective change interventions. Finally, the participants will be able to demonstrate the critical ability to design, develop and apply appropriate behaviour change strategies. The overall aim of this course is to provide an overview of the major challenges and opportunities in behaviour change theory and to enable students to become leaders in developing and utilising nudge and behaviour change strategies in practice.

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Understand and evaluate theory, models and behaviour change techniques in a variety of environments.


2. Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant concepts and theories appropriately.


3. Consider and appreciate the role of technology in supporting behaviour change.


4. Understand and apply strategies to create effective change interventions.


5. Demonstrate the critical ability to design, develop and apply appropriate behaviour change interventions to real-world challenges and scenarios.

Additional outcomes:

• Develop strong research capabilities


• Gain team working and development skills

Outline content:

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be a mix of lecturing, tutorial and group based discussion and presentations in the delivery of this module. The Teaching will also incorporate the case study method of teaching. An online presentation by each student on the use of an aspect of behaviour change to support or solve a societal, political, economic or environmental issue will form the basis of discussion at the end of the module, and form part of the assessment of the module.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Guided independent study:		80
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Set exercise	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module will be assessed by written coursework and a screencast/online presentation. The report will comprise 80% of the overall module assessment. The online presentation (screencast) will be prepared and uploaded for viewing by peers and academic staff as part of an in-class discussion. The presentation and the contributions made to the online discussion will comprise the remaining 20% of the overall module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Online or class exercises and discussion fora will provide the basis for formative assessment.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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 50% overall (weighted average of the coursework marks).

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022