PA130-4-AU-CO:
Assignment and Research Writing for Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

The details
2024/25
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
18 March 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA C847CO Psychodynamic Practice,
BA C848CO Psychodynamic Practice (Including Foundation Year),
BA C849CO Psychodynamic Practice (Including Year Abroad),
BA C850CO Psychodynamic Practice (Including Placement Year),
BA C890 Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies,
BA C89A Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Placement Year),
BA C89B Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Year Abroad),
BA C89C Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Foundation Year),
BA L520 Childhood Studies,
BA L521 Childhood Studies (Including Year Abroad),
BA L522 Childhood Studies (Including Placement Year),
BA L523 Childhood Studies (Including Foundation Year)

Module description

This module is designed to help students develop core academic skills including understanding of study and coursework requirements within the discipline; effective study habits; inquiring and reflective habit of mind; critical thinking, problem-solving and pro-active learning; and effective written communication appropriate to the discipline.


The work undertaken for this enabling module will equip the students to thrive during and beyond their first year of study at the University of Essex. Students will be guided to identify and analyse features of effective academic discourse, will engage in supported independent information research; encouraged through course tasks in reflective review, and learn how to read critically and write with clarity and precision. They will develop an awareness of how their key academic skills can be transferred to professional contexts, thus enhancing future employability capabilities.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To provide BA Childhood Studies, BA Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies and BA Psychodynamic Practice students with an opportunity to develop the core skills necessary to do well in their first year of studies. By participating in the classroom activities and completing skills-based coursework, students will be able to understand the culture (ethos, aims and practices) of HE studies in general, and in the field of Psychoanalytic Studies in particular

  • To integrate skills learning within degree coursework as far as possible. The module syllabus therefore links to themes, readings, and assignments on the compulsory Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic module PA123.

  • To enable participants in the module to develop a range of core transferrable skills, from the ability to think critically and analytically about texts encountered and assignments set, to the ability to manage their time and studies and to undertake independent research. They will gain a clear sense of the importance of viewing academic assignments as learning processes rather than products, and be able to complete such processes successfully on other chosen modules. Students will also be supported to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses and to engage with lecturers and peers within a culture of supportive and constructive feedback. In sum: the module aims to help students to maximise their potential as undergraduates.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Gain maximum benefit from lectures and seminars by understanding how to prepare, engage with and review taught sessions in their other modules.

  2. Acquire a deep understanding of the criteria by which their work will be assessed and the attributes of good academic writing.

  3. Be able to independently research, take effective notes from their reading, and provide reflective commentary on their reading.

  4. Be able to incorporate ideas and information from sources using appropriate referencing and citation.

  5. Be able to plan and structure essays in an appropriate and effective manner.

  6. Have a good understanding of academic style within the discipline, and to understand the importance of review and redrafting to achieve clarity, precision, conciseness, and elegance in their writing.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

The module will be taught by the Department for Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Dr Orsolya Lukács), Library Team (Sandy Macmillen) and ’Skills for Success’ (Dr Emily Fitton and Adam Wattam), University of Essex. Students will attend 20 hours of classes over 10 weeks.

Students will be expected to participate in class discussions; undertake group learning activities; participate in pair-work (e.g. discussing reading texts with a ‘study partner’); undertake reading and self-study activities outside of the classes and produce formative and summative pieces of assessed work. Students will also be expected to reflect on their own experience, skills, and development and consider the meaning and implications of feedback received on other modules. The module will create a safe space for students to share their personal thoughts and feelings about undergraduate studies and assignment writing. However, their privacy and right to manage personal disclosure will be fully respected.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Essay plan and reference list  31/10/2024  20% 
Coursework   Formative essay  14/11/2024  0% 
Coursework   Essay  13/01/2025   

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Orsolya Lukacs, email: olukac@essex.ac.uk.
Sally Chamberlain
Student Administration 5A.202; telephone 01206 87 4969; email ppsug@essex.ac.uk Colchester campus ppsugse@essex.ac.uk 01702 328379 Room GB.3.66 Southend campus

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Anthony John Faramelli
Goldsmiths
Lecturer in Visual Cultures
Prof Heather Montgomery
The Open University
Professor of Anthropology and Childhood
Dr Angie Voela
University of East London
Reader
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 28 hours, 28 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.