Module: PSY5109-20 Psychology and Social Justice

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr Dawn Albertson

Module Tutor Contact Details: d.albertson@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module will take a critical and psychologically-informed look at community psychology and social justice. It will examine processes involved in social categorisation (how we categorise ourselves and others) and social identification (how we self-stereotype and are stereotyped by others), and the impacts that these categorisations and identities have on various outcomes including health, education, and the judiciary, amongst others.

However, we do not pretend to know everything - co-teaching will be a key aspect of the module. Students will have the opportunity to shape contents and debate core subjects in a safe, inclusive, and evidence-based manner. No one knows the answers to all of these questions, but we have the opportunity to start shaping some of those answers.

2. Outline syllabus

• Categorisation and social identification

• The psychology of social justice

• The psychology of gender and gender identification

• The social justice of race and ethnicity

• Cultural identity and belonging

• Class

• The role of higher education plays in facilitating trajectories

• How categorisation and social identification affect health

• Health/mental health promotion

• Disability, accessibility and community psychology

• Criminality

• Age

• The intersection across topics

3. Teaching and learning activities

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Tutorials

• Independent reading

• Debates

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Portfolio Group Presentation

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Coursework

• Description: Portfolio Critical Analysis

• % Weighting: 50%