This module explores the nature and origins of social knowledge and critically evaluates the basis for claims to ‘absolute reality'. The module will be of interest to students who wish to examine contemporary beliefs and assumptions about the world on a range of political, philosophical, psychological and moral issues. In the second semester, earlier theoretical knowledge is applied to the study of collective memory (the memory of people across generations) – a foundational form of social knowledge involved in the construction of identity. The study of social/collective memory raises some political issues. For example, in the aftermath of conflict, competing versions of the past are often a barrier to reconciliation. Understanding the nature and content of collective memory therefore becomes important. Students should have an interest in the history and politics of conflict including human rights although detailed historical knowledge is not a pre-requisite. Course material comprises film and television documentary, which will broaden and deepen existing knowledge of 20th century events.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Teaching will take the form of weekly three-hour lectures, each composed of a keynote lecture and interactive component. The keynote lectures will present the main topics of the module and the interactive sessions will encourage group discussion of matters raised in the first hour. In addition, there will be documentary presentations and a field visit and students will be invited to make a short presentation on a topic of their choice related to social memory in the second semester.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Keynote and interactive | 66 |
| Guided independent study | Independent study | 234 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment will comprise a 2,000 word essay (50%) on an issue or debate in psychology, science, the humanities or the social sciences and a 2,000 word essay (50%) on an issue or debate related to social/collective memory. Formative assessment during the interactive lectures will take the form of a reflexive log, short essays and discussion tasks. Formative assessment will provide an opportunity for students to develop academic skills. Students will receive feedback on these skills, which will feedforward, helping students complete the final essay assignment.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical foundations of critical psychology | Formatively through discussion in the interactive lecture |
| Critically discuss social theories and philosophies in relation to current issues and debates in psychology, science, the humanities and the social sciences | Formatively through discussion in the interactive lecture and summatively through the essays |
| Discuss the psychological and political implications of social/collective memory | Formatively through discussion and narrative analysis and summatively through the essays |
| Review and clarify their own narratives on key historical events | Formatively through discussion and summatively through the essays |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| CWK | Essay | 50 |
| CWK | Essay | 50 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Core Text: Hepburn. A. (2003). Introduction to critical social psychology. London: Sage.
Brockmeier, J. (2002). Remembering and Forgetting: Narrative as cultural memory. Culture & Psychology, 8, (1), 15-43.
Fox, D. & Prillentensky, I. (Eds.), (1997). Critical psychology: An introduction.London: Sage.
Gergen, K. J. (1999). An invitation to social construction.London: Sage.
Hewer, C. J. & Roberts, R. (2012). History, culture and cognition: Towards a dynamic model of social memory. Culture & Psychology, 18, (2), 167-183.
Kvale, S. (Ed.), (1992). Psychology and postmodernism.London: Sage.
Liu, J. H. & Hilton, D. J. (2005). How the past weighs on the present: Social representations of history and their role in identity politics. British Journal of Social Psychology, 44, 537-556.
Moscovici, S. (2000). Social representations: Explorations in social psychology.Cambridge: Polity.
Portelli, A. (2003). Massacre at the Fosse Ardeantine: History, myth, ritual and symbol. In K. Hodgkin & S. Radstone (Eds.). Contested pasts: The politics of memory (pp. 29-41). London: Routledge.
Pennebaker, J. W., Paez, D. & Rime, B. (Eds.). (1997). Collective memory of political events: Social psychological perspectives. Mahwah, NJ: LEA.
Weissmark, M. S. (2004). Justice matters: Legacies of the holocaust and the World War II. Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press.
Welzer, H. (2005). Grandpa wasn't a Nazi: The Holocaust in German family remembrance. International Perspectives 54. New York: American Jewish Committee.
Wertsch. J. (2002). Voices of collective remembering. Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press.