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BSc (Honours) Psychology and Law - Learning outcomes

Educational aims

The degree aims to provide you with:

  • an understanding of key concepts, theories, methods and debates in psychology and law
  • an appreciation of different perspectives within psychology and law, and the ability to evaluate them critically
  • an understanding of the application of psychology and law to social, educational, practical and professional issues
  • support and guidance to improve their own learning and performance and develop as independent learners.
  • acquire the skills and knowledge appropriate to graduate status
  • develop professional and practical skills that can be applied to both further learning and the world of work.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

  • the types of evidence and research methods used in psychology
  • the importance of ethical issues in researching and practicing psychology and law
  • how psychological theories and research are applied in practical or professional contexts
  • a substantial range of legal concepts, values, rules and principles and the legal system of England and Wales
  • legal methodology
  • the social, political, economic, historical and ethical dimensions of law
  • the principles and methods of legal research.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

  • construct arguments with appropriate use of relevant concepts, theories and evidence
  • access, interpret and evaluate the contributions of different kinds of evidence 
  • apply legal principles and authority in a logical and coherent way, explore and apply exceptions and identify the merits of arguments presented in case law and legal scholarship.  

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

  • communicate knowledge and/or findings in an appropriate way for particular audiences
  • employ evidence-based and logical reasoning to examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues and present arguable and reasoned conclusions.

Key skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills regarding:

Communication
  • select, summarise, synthesise and reference appropriately information from different sources, including primary texts and secondary sources
  • present written material in a coherently organised form, with arguments and information in logical sequence and communicated effectively in a variety of forms.
Application of number
  • work with data and to interpret tables, graphs, diagrams and bar charts.
Information technology
  • use information technology to search for and access electronic resources, and to process, prepare and present information.
Learning how to learn
  • recognise the importance of developing both technical and non-technical skills and of learning from feedback and self-reflection
  • review current situation and plan future personal development
  • plan, monitor and evaluate your own learning and as an independent learner seek ways to improve your performance.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Knowledge and understanding are acquired in a variety of ways: through printed items such as specially written module texts, study guides, methodology handbooks, and assignment and project guides; through a range of multimedia material; through work on original texts; and through feedback on assignments. Tutors support your learning in tutorials and day schools and through their detailed comments on assignments.

Knowledge and understanding are assessed by means of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) and unseen written examinations. In addition, you are encouraged to assess yourself informally by means of activities and exercises contained in the module manuals, and through reflection on the comments received on TMAs and in the feedback forms which accompany these.

Cognitive skills are taught and assessed through TMAs based on essays, research reports and short exercises evaluating psychological and legal methods and questions. Skills progress from exposition, through an ability to compare and contrast, to critical evaluation and application.

These skills are assessed by the formal and informal means identified above. Particular emphasis is placed in the modules on enabling you to assess your own progress by means of structured activities and exercises, and through self-assessment of progress at the end-of-module units.

Practical skills are developed through the learning and teaching methods and resources identified in relation to knowledge and understanding. Throughout each module emphasis is placed on developing a reflective and coherent approach to contentious doctrinal issues, through the use of both ’problem-type’ and ’essay-type’ questions. Research skills are addressed and developed at both OU level 2 and OU level 3. As a student, you are required, through directed research tasks, to access information both in hard copy and electronic formats, and to use that information.

These practical skills are assessed by the formal and informal means identified in relation to knowledge and understanding. Research skills are also assessed in TMAs.

Communication

The open nature of entry to the OU means that at OU level 1 there is considerable emphasis on reading and writing skills. These are integrated into the study material and specifically taught and developed in separate texts, via student notes for the tutor-marked assignments, and through tutor feedback. At OU levels 2 and 3 you are assumed to have developed abilities in these areas, although tutor feedback on writing and reporting skills continues to be important. However, the material from which you work becomes increasingly complex and diverse and more sophisticated skills of interpretation, selection and synthesis are required. These skills are central to the presentation of written assignments and, consequently, throughout the award receive continuous assessment and examination.

Numeracy and IT

Numerical information is presented in a number of units in the modules which make up the degree, and in some of these you are given the opportunity to undertake basic comprehension and analytical exercises. You are provided with access to online databases, and to a selection of specialist online law databases. A number of TMAs require you to access information via the internet as part of the development of your research skills.

You have the opportunity to work with information technology on each of the modules. You will be expected to use word processing packages to prepare and present your tutor-marked assignments.

Learning how to learn

As you will be studying at a distance and part time, a strong emphasis is placed on helping you to develop as an independent learner. At OU level 1 this means developing basic skills (e.g. time planning, using support). It also means laying the foundation for increasing emphasis on reflection at OU levels 2 and 3. This is not assessed directly but is demonstrated by your ability to study autonomously. Self-assessed activities are also built into the teaching texts. Your tutors’ written responses on your assignments are intended, in part, to help you learn from feedback and enable you to improve subsequent submissions.

Practical and professional skills are taught and assessed throughout the programme of study, including essay-based TMAs and exam questions that require the application of theory to legal and psychological issues. Research reports and questions focusing on methods support the development of design and analytical skills as well an understanding of ethical issues.