Short course
Exploring Psychology
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates:
20/01/2027 - 24/03/2027
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
This course is a practical exploration into the fascinating subject of psychology, demonstrating the science of psychology and the link between brain performance and observable effects on behaviour.
We will cover a broad range of subjects, presented in an engaging and interactive format. Psychology is a diverse discipline in its own right but draws on ideas from biology, economics, statistics, philosophy and others.
During this 10-week course, we will consider the different paradigms used to study human behaviour, including Freud, Behaviourism, Cognition, Social Behaviour and introducing Positive Psychology.
Psychology: the science of the mind and behaviour. How does the brain work? Do we know? Can we say that everyone's brain works the same way? How do we perceive the world differently from others? Some answers to these questions, from a Cognition and Personality perspective, will be addressed. We will explore how these have effects on real-world behaviour.
We will look at memory and its multiplicity of processes; the effects of time, and perception – and how this affects what we remember. We will look at child development; how do babies acquire language? Do they think the same way as adults? How do cognitive processes change with age?
We will consider cognition from several perspectives: early language development, remembering as an active process, information processing, and intelligence. We will consider how each of these themes relate to behaviour and consider some real-world effects such as ageing.
Other themes include social psychology and group behaviour (what are the subtle effects which direct behavioural change, sometimes unconsciously?), and personality theories: how we are all unique and yet alike, and how and why our personalities have direct effects on behaviour.
We will also explore the new topic of Positive Psychology: its origins in learning theory and its incredible positive impact on modern psychological practice.
This course is intended for the curious, and explores the different perspectives that psychology offers as insight into our own thoughts and behaviours. Students should expect to engage, and be challenged!
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Programme details
Course starts Wednesday 20 January 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Week 1: Introduction; the brain as the seat of thought and behaviour
Week 2: Perspectives in psychology: Freud and the unconscious mind
Week 3: Psychology as a science: How does the brain work? Do all brains work in the same way? How do we perceive the world differently from others?
Week 4: Cognition: Memory and perception. Memory systems, the effects of time
Week 5: Cognition: Brains, Information processing and Intelligence
Week 6: Social psychology and group behaviour
Week 7: Childhood development: language and cognition, cognitive development
Week 8: Personality: how am I different from you?
Week 9: Behaviourism and Positive Psychology
Week 10: Conclusions
Teaching methods
The methods used in these sessions will include a seminar format where students are encouraged to participate. There will also be other interactive elements which will form the basis of group or small group discussions. This face-to-face course will maximise the benefits of in-the-room experience, using curiosity and fun to engage with this diverse subject.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have been given the opportunity to have gained:
- an understanding of some of the perspectives that psychology as a discipline uses, to frame human behaviour;
- an appreciation of how we process information, remember things, and learn in a multitude of ways; and
- have raised self awareness through the study of personality, memory and Positive Psychology.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due in week 8. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Course aims
- To explore the diverse subject of psychology and be introduced to some of its insights into human behaviour.
- To consider several ways in which we process information, absorb, learn, develop and express ourselves.
- To consider how our personalities mean that we are all unique, and how we can express our commonalities.
- To consider different perspectives in the study of psychology using historical and practical approaches.
Programme details
Course starts Wednesday 20 January 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Week 1: Introduction; the brain as the seat of thought and behaviour
Week 2: Perspectives in psychology: Freud and the unconscious mind
Week 3: Psychology as a science: How does the brain work? Do all brains work in the same way? How do we perceive the world differently from others?
Week 4: Cognition: Memory and perception. Memory systems, the effects of time
Week 5: Cognition: Brains, Information processing and Intelligence
Week 6: Social psychology and group behaviour
Week 7: Childhood development: language and cognition, cognitive development
Week 8: Personality: how am I different from you?
Week 9: Behaviourism and Positive Psychology
Week 10: Conclusions
Teaching methods
The methods used in these sessions will include a seminar format where students are encouraged to participate. There will also be other interactive elements which will form the basis of group or small group discussions. This face-to-face course will maximise the benefits of in-the-room experience, using curiosity and fun to engage with this diverse subject.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have been given the opportunity to have gained:
- an understanding of some of the perspectives that psychology as a discipline uses, to frame human behaviour;
- an appreciation of how we process information, remember things, and learn in a multitude of ways; and
- have raised self awareness through the study of personality, memory and Positive Psychology.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due in week 8. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Dr Jane Pollock
Independent Consultant and Researcher
Jane is a Chartered Psychologist, an Independent Consultant in Organisational Psychology, and a tutor and lecturer in Psychology and Statistics. She has a history of highly successful courses in both Psychology (Exploring Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Positive Psychology) and Business Psychology (Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Psychology, Women in Leadership) streams, and takes a practical approach to a subject crucial to the success of people in organisations.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £315.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Module code: O26P523PCW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.