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Creative Alternatives in Social Psychology - SOC00070I

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Darren Reed
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24

Module summary

In this module you will be introduced to visual methods, ethnographic writing, performativity, and technology-mediated methods. The module is premised upon an understanding of ‘social psychology in the wild’, which is to say that we focus on everyday, mundane contexts of social life.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

How can we adopt creative and alternative methodological approaches to social psychology research? In this module you will be introduced to visual methods, ethnographic writing, performativity, and technology-mediated methods. The module is premised upon an understanding of ‘social psychology in the wild’, which is to say that we focus on everyday, mundane contexts of social life. The primary aim of this module is to question the dominance of typical social science methods (e.g., surveys and interviews) through an understanding of the complex interpretive nature of social action and interaction. This involves not only repositioning the focus away from internal mental processes but also providing practical insights into forms of creative research practices. We ask that you engage critically and playfully with novel forms of knowledge production in social psychology.

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate your understanding of and reflect on the value of creativity as a methodological practice in social psychology

Articulate and apply your own creative practices to social psychological issues

Assess, evaluate and select appropriate methods for the task in hand

Collaborate in groups effectively to complete set tasks

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Report : Report		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Report : Report		 N/A 100

Module feedback

For formative work - Empirical Project Design - students will receive verbal feedback on how to improve their skills in areas that will contribute towards their summative assessment. Both formative assessments provide practice for the summative tasks, which entail an observational exercise and are in line with MLO 3-4.

For summative work - Group Project- students will receive an overall mark and grading according to clearly defined criteria for assessing their knowledge, skills and abilities in line with MLO 1-4. They will also receive written feedback showing areas in which they have done well, and those areas in which they need to improve that will contribute to their progress.

Indicative reading

Franzoi, S.L. (2009) Social psychology. London: McGraw-Hill.

Goffman, E. (1969). The presentation of self in everyday life. London: Allen Lane Hewitt, J.P. (2010) Self and society: A symbolic interactionist social psychology. London: Pearson.

Hollway, W., Lucey, H., & Phoenix, A. (2007) Social Psychology Matters. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Rohall, D.E. Milkie, M.A., and Lucas, J.W. (2011) Social psychology: Sociological perspectives. London: Pearson.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.