Studying at York
Creative Alternatives in Social Psychology - SOC00070I
- Department: Sociology
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
- See module specification for other years: 2024-25
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 2023-24 |
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
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 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.