University of Essex

PA130-4-AU-CO:
Assignment and Research Writing for Psychoanalytic Studies

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Undergraduate: Level 4

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 15 December 2023

Credits: 15

Last updated: 23 August 2022

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

BA C847CO Psychodynamic Practice,
BA C848CO Psychodynamic Practice (Including Foundation Year),
BA C849CO Psychodynamic Practice (Including Year Abroad),
BA C890 Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies,
BA C89A Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Placement Year),
BA C89B Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Year Abroad),
BA C89C Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies (Including Foundation Year),
BA L520 Childhood Studies,
BA L521 Childhood Studies (Including Year Abroad),
BA L522 Childhood Studies (Including Placement Year),
BA L523 Childhood Studies (Including Foundation Year)

Module description

This module is designed to help students develop core academic skills including understanding of study and coursework requirements within the discipline; effective study habits; inquiring and reflective habit of mind; critical thinking, problem solving and pro-active learning; and effective written communication appropriate to the discipline. The work undertaken for this enabling module will equip the students to thrive during and beyond their first year of study at the University of Essex.

Students will be guided to identify and analyse features of effective academic discourse, will engage in supported independent information research; encouraged through course tasks in reflective review, learn how to read critically and write with clarity and precision. They will develop an awareness of how their key academic skills can be transferred to professional contexts, thus enhancing future employability capabilities.

Module aims

The primary aim of the module is to provide BA Therapeutic Care students with an opportunity to develop the core skills necessary to do well in their first year of studies. By participating in the classroom activities and completing skills-based coursework, students will be able to understand the culture (ethos, aims and practices) of HE study in general, and in the field of Psychoanalytic Studies in particular.

The module aims to integrate skills learning within degree coursework as far as possible. The module syllabus therefore links to themes, readings, and assignments on compulsory Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic modules such as PA123 and PA125.

Participants on the module will develop a range of core transferrable skills, from the ability to think critically and analytically about texts encountered and assignments set, to the ability to manage their time and studies and to undertake independent research. They will gain a clear sense of the importance of viewing academic assignments as learning processes rather than products, and be able to complete such processes successfully on other chosen modules. Students will also be supported to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses, and to engage with lecturers and peers within a culture of supportive and constructive feedback. In sum: the module aims to help students to maximise their potential as undergraduates.

Module learning outcomes

As a result of completing this module, students will be able to:
1. Gain maximum benefit from lectures and seminars by understanding how to prepare, engage with and review taught sessions in their other modules;
2. Acquire a deep understanding of the criteria by which their work will be assessed, and the attributes of good academic writing;
3. Be able to independently research, take effective notes from their reading, and provide reflective commentary on their reading;
4. Be able to incorporate ideas and information from sources using appropriate referencing and citation;
5. Be able to plan and structure essays in an appropriate and effective manner;
6. Have a good understanding of academic style within the discipline, and to understand the importance of review and redrafting to achieve clarity, precision, conciseness and elegance in their writing.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

Students will attend 20 hours of classes over 10 weeks. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions; undertake group learning activities; participate in pair work (e.g. discussing reading texts with a “study partner”); undertake reading and self-study activities outside of the classes and produce formative and summative pieces of assessed work. Students will also be expected to reflect on their own experience, skills, and development and consider the meaning and implications of feedback received on other modules. The module will create a safe space for students to share their personal thoughts and feelings about undergraduate studies and assignment writing. However, their privacy and right to manage personal disclosure will be fully respected.

Bibliography

Cottrell, S. (2019f) ‘Success as a Student: Take Charge of Your Success’, in The study skills handbook. Fifth edition. London: Red Globe Press, pp. 9–28. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/394052.
Cottrell, S. (2019g) ‘Time Management as a Student’, in The study skills handbook. Fifth edition. London: Red Globe Press, pp. 123–150. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/394052.
Cottrell, S. (2019h) ‘Writing Essays’, in The study skills handbook. Fifth edition. London: Red Globe Press, pp. 319–344. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/394052.
Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2022d) Cite Them Right. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6992940.
American Psychological Association (2019) Publication manual of the American Psychological Association: the official guide to APA style. Seventh edition. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Cottrell, S. (2019a) ‘Critical Thinking’, in The study skills handbook. Fifth edition. London: Red Globe Press, pp. 253–273. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/394052.
Greetham, B. (2018c) How to write better essays. Fourth edition. London: Palgrave. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6235046.
Creme, P. and Lea, M.R. (2008a) Writing at university: a guide for students. 3rd ed. Buckingham: Open University Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=345134&ppg=86.
Cottrell, S. (2019b) ‘Critical Thinking’, in The study skills handbook. Fifth edition. London: Red Globe Press, pp. 253–272. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/394052.
Creme, P. and Lea, M.R. (2008c) Writing at university: a guide for students. 3rd ed. Buckingham: Open University Press. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/reader.action?docID=345134&ppg=172.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Essay plan and reference list	20%
Coursework	Formative essay	0%
Coursework	Essay	80%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Orsolya Lukacs, email: olukac@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Sally Chamberlain

Contact details: Student Administration 5A.202; telephone 01206 87 4969; email ppsug@essex.ac.uk Colchester campus ppsugse@essex.ac.uk 01702 328379 Room GB.3.66 Southend campus

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Anthony John Faramelli

Institution: Goldsmiths

Academic role: Lecturer in Visual Cultures

Name: Prof Heather Montgomery

Institution: The Open University

Academic role: Professor of Anthropology and Childhood

Name: Dr Angie Voela

Institution: University of East London

Academic role: Reader

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 40 hours, 40 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies

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The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Module Directory

PA130-4-AU-CO:Assignment and Research Writing for Psychoanalytic Studies