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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: PSY3081 Module Title: THOUGHT AND LANGUAGE
Module Provider: Psychology Short Name: PSY3081
Level: HE3 Module Co-ordinator: CLIFFORD AM Dr (Psychology)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Semester 2.
Assessment Pattern

1) 2500 word coursework essay [50% weighting]
2) 60 minute exam [50% weighting]

Students must achieve 40% in each component of assessment.
Module Overview
This course gives an advanced introduction to topics connected with language, thinking and learning. The course will draw on relevant experimental studies and familiarise students with a range of research approaches. The course is largely cognitive in focus but students will be encouraged to think about the wider theoretical and philosophical implications of relevant theories and debates.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
All Level 2 Psychology modules are pre-requisites.
Module Aims
The aim of the course is to provide students with an advanced understanding of topics connected with language, thinking and learning. A key objective of this module is to develop students’ ability to evaluate psychological research. Students will be encouraged to think about the interplay between theoretical and philosophical standpoints and interpret empirical evidence.
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module will have an understanding of the research and debates in the core topic areas; be able to critically evaluate key studies and discuss their contribution to relevant fields of research; and be aware of important theoretical models, philosophical issues and methodological considerations within this area of cognitive psychology.
Module Content
The course will cover theories and findings related to the following general topic areas:
                       
Thought before language
Language acquisition
Language production
Speech perception and reading
Written language
Language comprehension
Reasoning and decision making
The relationship between language and thought
Concepts and categories
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Lectures with classroom based exercises and discussion.
Selected Texts/Journals
Readings that are specific to each topic will be given during lectures. Relevant chapters can also be found in the following textbooks:

Ellis, A.W. & Young, A.W. (1996). Human Cognitive Neuropsychology: a textbook with readings. Hove: Psychology Press.
Eysenck, M.W. & Keane, M.T. (2010) Cognitive Psychology: A Student's Handbook. (6th Ed). Hove: Psychology Press.
Matlin, M.W. (2002) Cognition. (5th Ed). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt College.
Parkin, A.J. (2000). Essential Cognitive Psychology. Hove: Psychology Press.
Quinlan, P. & Dyson, B. (2008). Cognitive Psychology. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.
Smyth, M.M., Collins, A.F., Morris, P.E. & Levy, P. (1994). Cognition in action. (2nd Ed). Hove: Lawrence Earlbaum.
Solso, R.L. (2005) Cognitive Psychology. (7th Ed). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Sternberg, R.J. (2006). Cognitive Psychology. (4th Ed). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth
Last Updated
6th May 2011.