Psychology with Spanish BSc (Hons)

This Research Methods module will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the principles of research in psychology in alignment with the British Psychological Society (BPS) standards.  The module focuses on helping students develop and enhance their research techniques developed in level 4, continuing to develop a critical understanding of diverse research methods, enabling you to select the right approach/es for different psychological research questions. 

From designing experiments to working with or designing psychometric tests, you’ll learn how to generate hypotheses, collect data, and apply statistical tests with confidence.  Additionally, you’ll also learn how to present research findings effectively in written BPS reports through to visual formats. The module emphasises the application of research methods to psychological issues, equipping students to design meaningful studies and evaluate data.

This module builds on the first year PS4024 module to cover the remaining aspects of the British Psychological Society's Social Psychology and Individual Differences curriculum, with a focus on the real world implications of what students have learnt. We will explore a range of issues in society around issues such as power, politics and community that help us understand why people act as they do and how society can influence this. Students will choose to explore one of these issues in depth for their assessment.

This module has two distinct themes. Theme one is to develop awareness and skills in understanding the psychology behind job searching, job applications, writing a persuasive CV, performing appropriately at interview and using social media to search for, and apply for jobs. Theme two helps students to apply psychology in real life situations in a discipline of interest chosen by the student. Students will work in groups and use psychological theory to solve specific problems either provided by partners within the community, working with partners in the community or provided in-house by staff. This is an experiential learning module where more than half of the content is delivered using practical exercises. Students will have an opportunity to take a self-directed approach to building essential skills.

This module will enable you to improve your linguistic proficiency by building on your existing competencies and knowledge, while also developing vocational language skills and intercultural awareness. As part of your language development, you will learn about important shared themes and patterns in the history of Latin America and Spain from a comparative perspective, with a view to understanding how these overlapping histories have shaped contemporary societies in both regions.  Using a range of written and audio-visual texts in target language, you will study topics such as revolutions, dictatorships, cultural exchanges, and migration flows resulting from political and economic changes on both sides of the Atlantic. 

You will advance towards a B1 or B2 level on the CEFR, depending on your set. All material is tailored to support your language level. Part of the module focuses on practical issues and is orientated towards preparation for your in-person or virtual immersive experience in the Spanish language, as well as for the world of work. You will enhance key skills such as reflecting on your learning and identifying personal and professional development opportunities, language mediation, and carrying out research. For example, you will develop new practical mediation skills by participating in tasks such as film subtitling.

This module is for students of Languages who are undertaking an immersive year between levels 5 and 6 of a four year degree course. The module will include preparation sessions throughout level 5 in advance of departure and subsequent study at a partner university or approved work placement abroad or as an English Language Assistant. The year is divided into two semesters, so you may to split it between two placements of different types or in different countries.  If the planned mobility is not possible or is interrupted due to personal reasons or external circumstances, you will engage with a virtual version of the module, creating an immersive learning environment with tutorial supervision. 

This flexible module enables students taking the course in 3 years to undertake a placement or equivalent virtual study which will equip them to progress to the final year with the required linguistic development and cultural and intercultural knowledge. 

Preparation for the year abroad will take place in Chester during level 5 and will include:

• Cross-cultural issues and sensitivity
• Host-country orientation, study methods– economic, political and social reality of the country
• Orientation specific to exchange – health, education, gender issues
• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Practical matters relating to living and studying in the wider world

Theories, models and strategies of learning

• Critical thinking skills, experiential learning and models of reflection

Personal and placement-related transversal skills

• Effective self-motivation and independent resourcefulness
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Project management – working away from University and independent study
• Self-management and personal development

Whilst abroad:

You will undertake study at one of the University of Chester's partner universities or undertake and approved work placement or virtual placement. If you are a student,  it is expected that you will choose a series of modules at the university abroad which must be agreed by the host institution and the Module Leader. you must supply details of you modules on a learning agreement within 4 weeks of arrival at the host university.

Psychopathology aims to promote students understanding of psychological disorder, how it develops and is maintained, and to help you to think about how, as psychologists, we might best intervene to promote psychological wellbeing.  This module explores research, practice, and service user perspectives on psychopathology throughout the lifespan, providing students with a robust understanding of current thinking and approaches in the field of clinical and counselling psychology.

This module further develops your knowledge and understanding of three important core areas of the British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum. In Biological Psychology, we will cover biologically-based explanations of behaviour. In Cognitive Psychology we examine mental processes. In Developmental Psychology, we study how people change across the lifespan. Across all topics, we explore how the topics that we cover can be applied to wider world issues. 

Students design and carry out a piece of empirical research with the support of a named supervisor. This offers an opportunity to apply psychological theories and methods covered in the first two years of their degree to a specific area of Psychology. Students plan their project, apply for ethical approval, undertake data analysis, and prepare a final report.

This module will re-engage you in studying more formally and put in context all your previous experiences whether in your placements or taught modules at level 5, by taking a more analytical and in-depth study of salient societal changes in the Spanish speaking world.  This module will also offer the possibility of developing your target language skills in a practical, immersive and interactive way. The module offers plenty of opportunities for oral practice and student input through class presentations, discussions and debates. 

This module will offer you the opportunity to examine thematically some of the challenges of representing identity and giving voice to diversity in contemporary global societies. You will explore a range of literary, visual, audio and cinematic texts (all available in English translation) from across the different language cultures studied on this course. These texts will be structured around dominant themes drawn from, among others: decolonising the intellectual; ableism, hip hop and oral traditions in the 21st century; visual representations of difference; young voices in protest; identity politics in action. You will analyse and discuss cultural representations of contemporary identities and be invited to suggest and present ideas for new texts to include.