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SUBJECT SYLLABUS
Degree

141.0

BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY

ECTS Credits 6

Academic year 2013/14 Duration Semester 1 Group/Language English

Subject code and title 41011 Technical English for Psychology Type Language UD Credits BASIC TRAINING ENG 6 Lecturer Fernndez de Larrinoa Palacios, Pedro Pablo DESCRIPTION

This module will introduce students to a number of topics in psychology, which will be explored from a health perspective. The module has a two-fold aim: (a) to familiarise students with the technical terms and specific vocabulary related to their field of study and (b) to enable students to develop reading, written and speaking skills while doing psychology in English. English will be the vehicle of communication within this module. All the topics covered will be dealt with in the context of psychology as a health discipline.

PREREQUISITES
Level B2.1 of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

LEARNING OUTCOMES IN TERMS OF GENERIC AND SPECIFIC COMPETENCES

GENERIC COMPETENCY Oral communication: To convey ideas, knowledge and feelings in a clear way, and to adapt the way one communicates to the situation and the audience, in order to engage them successfully Level of mastery 1: To convey own ideas in a structured and clear way and to intervene in an appropriate and relevant fashion, in both formal and informal social interactions. SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES Upon completion of the course students will be able to: E1: To produce written outputs, showing a good understanding and correct use of terminology and vocabulary in their field of study. E2: To read, understand and critically analyse academic texts related to their field of study. E3. Communicate visually in an effective way and in different formats (e.g., essays, correspondence, technical duties, lecture notes, reports, group discussion, debates, conference papers and presentations) with different aims (e.g., communicate, defend, explain, persuade, argue and teach).

CONTENTS
Specific vocabulary related to psychology in English. Psychology-related academic and scientific communication in English. Reading comprehension of relevant topics in the scientific literature in English. Oral and written communication of relevant topics in the scientific literature in English. All this content will be covered and explored within the subject matter of Health Psychology. 1. Branches of psychology with a focus on health and its promotion 2. Mental disorders: popular myths 3. Pseudopsychologies 4. Normative beliefs and misconceptions about health behaviour 5. Health and wellbeing outcomes in older people 6. Health professionals responses to domestic violence 7. Safeguarding children and young people 8. Social Psychology in the Clinic 9. Sex, gender and health 10. Work-life balance and well-being

TEACHING-LEARNING STRATEGY
The UD Learning Framework will inform this strategy. Hence, the experiential component will be based on students previous experiences of the English language. Lectures, oral presentations, workgroup and practicals will be used to build on those experiences and develop, through reflective thinking and individual and team work, the above-mentioned competencies. Within all the topics, content will revolve around the role of the psychologist and the research and practice implications but emphasis will be given to the latter. Therefore, students will be expected to do psychology in English by designing a 201314.141.0.41011.EN GUR01008 Pg. 1 de 2

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questionnaire, doing fieldwork, develop intervention programmes, etc. A continuous and comprehensive assessment, including individual support, will be utilised throughout the module. Specific learning strategies: (a) Lectures (b) Group work and discussion of topics covered in lectures (c) Practical tasks around the topics in lectures (c) Written outputs around the topics in lectures (d) Individual and group oral presentations This module carries 6 ECTS, e.g., 150 hours, which break down roughly as follows: - Classroom-based work (45 hours): + Lectures: 20 hours + Individual and group work: 25 hours - Preparation work (25 hours) - Individual/group support (10 hours) - Individual practicals (25 hours) - Group practicals (40 hours) - Written and oral test (5 hours)

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
The generic competency (oral communication) carries 15% of the final mark. It will be evaluated through the active engagement and participation in lectures; tutorials and group work. The three specific competencies carry 85% of the final mark. Their assessment will be conducted via the end-of-term test (40%) and the portfolio of individual (25%) and group work (20%). Contribution to the final module mark will be as follows: (1) Written and oral end-of-term test: 40%. Both tests are weighted equally and students must pass both tests. (2) Individual work (35%) (3) Group work (25%). The final mark will be the average of the three modes of assessment above. NB: Students must achieve at least 50% of the total mark in ALL three modes. Resit Procedures: If a student is unsuccessful in any of the modes of assessment they will be allowed to resit. Resit examinations will only be applicable to the unsuccessful modes of assessment.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
BA reading list will be provided for each topic. Internet resources: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/society http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/research-digest/research-digest English language resources: Murphy, Raymond. (2012). English Grammar in Use (4th Edition). Cambridge University Press. Swan, Michael. (2005). Practical English Usage (3rd Edition). Oxford University Press.

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