Through undertaking this module, you will develop a broad understanding of the major theoretical approaches shaping contemporary criminology. You will understand how criminological theory responds to social change, and how theory shapes competing understandings of crime and responses to crime.

This module introduces the English Legal System and aims to create a critical awareness of how the English Legal System provides a framework for the workings of criminal justice and state responses to crime, deviance and public insecurity. You'll examine a selection of criminal offences and the defences relevant to these offences.

This module introduces the five core areas of psychology (cognitive, social, biological, developmental, individual differences).

This module aims to introduce you to quantitative statistical analysis as they are employed in psychological research.

The module aims to introduce students to the principles and practice of quantitative and qualitative psychological research. Students will develop skills in searching literature and generating hypotheses with a sound rationale, understand the principles of sound research design and data collection and be able to interpret findings and critically assess research output in psychology. They will also be provided with opportunities to develop skills in the dissemination of research results with the conventions, styles and critical approach of academic work

This module aims to equip you with skills and knowledge about psychology, and the University, that contribute to academic success. The module also aims to help you to develop plans for your future development within and beyond your programme of study. The 'process' of being a student can be difficult and confusing. The educational institution and the academic discipline both have many assumptions and processes that can be hard to uncover and understand without some guidance.  This module will explain how relevant aspects of Psychology and Middlesex University 'work', so that you can gain the maximum benefit from your studies. It will also show you how you can apply psychological knowledge to your own development as individuals and learners, and stimulate preparations for future careers.

The module enables you to understand, evaluate and conduct applied psychological research to recognise how research design relates to research questions. You will gain skills in a variety of analytical methods and will be enabled to conduct ethical psychological research utilising quantitative qualitative methods. The module provides the foundation for interpretation critical discussion of published psychological research.

This module aims to provide an overview of the biological bases of behaviour and the cognitive approach to psychology. After initial study of the anatomy physiology of the nervous system, attention is focused on aspects of behaviour that have a clear biological component. Through a series of practical laboratory sessions you will investigate specific central and peripheral nervous system variables and their relation to behaviour. In the second half of the module, the nature of the cognitive approach to psychology will be outlined and key theories relating to major cognitive faculties explored. Understanding of these is enhanced through a series of interactive seminars.

This module will allow you to engage with recent theoretical developments and trends influencing criminological discussion, debate and research. These developments and trends are assessed in relation to emerging social, political and cultural patterns. Building on prior learning in Year 1, you'll be able to apply theoretical knowledge to a range of contemporary issues and trends of prominent criminological interest and concern.

The module will expand your thinking around victimisation and consider this topic from a broader perspective, assessing societal responses to victimisation and who we consider to be a victim. You'll explore multiple crime types, and you'll compare and contrast different theories and perspectives in relation to the concept of victimisation.

The module aims to develop the depth and breadth of understanding of core theory and research in developmental and social psychology whilst also explaining differences between individuals.

Within this module, you will pursue independent study with a designated supervisor on a topic not offered in-depth among the normal range of modules. You will be expected to carry out an original investigation using a recognised psychology or cognitive science research method, and produce a dissertation based on that research. The title and methodology of this dissertation must be agreed with the supervisor in advance. Undertaking this module will enable you to develop your methodological and statistical knowledge acquired through previous research methods training. It will develop your competence in the production of coherent written reports which are clearly presented and which have an analytic and critical orientation, and it will provide the opportunity for you to become competent and self-sufficient researcher.

The module aims to explore the application of psychology to social problems in the areas of crime, conflict and violence, taking into account individual, group and social factors. It considers how individuals and groups become involved in, and perpetuate, these problematic behaviours, and also considers the consequences for victims, government and justice responses, and approaches to prevention.

Are mentally disordered offenders ‘mad’ or ‘bad’? Should they be ‘treated’ or ‘punished’? What is the relationship between ‘mental health’ and ‘offending’? These are just some of many questions in this exciting new module which aims to introduce you to these key debates as well as exploring key theories and the differing responses surrounding forensic mental health. You will begin by looking at the different ways in which mental health has been classified, understood and responded to – tracing the history of asylums and psychiatry through to the de-institutionalisation of the mentally ill and moves towards ‘care in the community’. Public and political responses to high profile cases are considered. You will be able to critically engage with the development of criminal justice and health responses to mentally disordered offenders and consider the theoretical and practical challenges raised by targeting some people as ‘dangerous’ offenders. Treatment and risk predictions are also explored. The module will use case studies including looking at severe personality disorder and drug misuse.

This module aims to discuss the dynamics of violence from a gender-informed perspective, how it is used by perpetrators, controlled, and used to control. The module highlights the interconnections between violence and crime, and illustrates the blurred boundaries between interpersonal, self-inflicted, community and structural violence.

Applying health Psychology to behaviour change (15 Credits) - Optional

The module aims to introduce students to health psychology and the work of Health Psychologists in practice. It covers the psychological, behavioural and social determinants of health and illness, before focusing on health behaviour change interventions and chronic illness and its management. It aims to help students apply knowledge and skills to real-world health problems.

Neuropsychology: The healthy brain and what can go wrong with it (15 Credits) - Optional

To introduce students to the history, principles and methods of neuropsychology with a particular emphasis on case studies
* To introduce the causes and symptoms of major neuropsychological disorders of language, vision, memory, emotion, personality, olfaction and development, and the theories accounting for each
* To demonstrate the extent to which case studies (in combination with data from brain imaging) inform us about the functioning of the healthy brain in these cognitive functions
* To describe and evaluate how the effects of brain damage are assessed
* To encourage critical thinking and oral presentation skills
* To prepare students for postgraduate study within neuropsychology

New Directions in Cognitive Science (15 Credits) - Optional

We all have the experience of an internal dialogue; linguistically phrased commentary and reasoning that pertains to our actions in the here and now or to actions we might wish to execute. But do those sentences truly reflect how our brains collate and process information? For many years the assumption was that they do, but of late this view has been challenged.
Cognitive science is a multidisciplinary approach to studying and understanding internal causal states for the production of behaviour (thoughts). The primary aim of cognitive science is to provide a mechanistic (how things work) and functional (why things work) account of cognition. Cognitive science has traditionally been grounded in a ‘symbolic account’ of mind – the notion that the brain, much like a computer, manipulates abstract information that has representational content (is about something). However, recent changes in our understanding of behaviour, cognition and neuroscience have challenged these underlying assumptions. This module will outline the underlying assumptions of cognitive science, how they have been challenged by recent developments and whether cognitive science can incorporate these new developments within its existing framework. Importantly, this module will teach topics from different areas of science including; psychology, ecology, neuroscience, and computer science.

Social, Cultural & Community Mental Health (15 Credits) – Optional

Creativity & Imagination (15 Credits) - Optional

The module explores psychological aspects of creativity and imagination. Students' will develop a critical understanding of psychological theory and research relating to creative productivity across a range of contexts. Additionally, students will apply theory and research to plans for developing, enhancing and/or utilising creativity and imagination in real-world contexts.

Death, Separation and Loss (15 Credits) - Optional

This module aims to shed light on death. Put simply, death is the cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism, however this module is concerned with the complex processes surrounding death, and related issues of separation and loss. It aims to understand the psychological processes involved not only after someone dies, but also to identify the different kinds of losses humans can experience and the factors involved in grief and mourning. Separation and loss are core to the notion of disenfranchised grief, where the griever or the loss itself may not be recognised (e.g. a ‘broken heart’ from a relationship break-up or divorce, miscarriage, a child as a griever, terminal illness). Classical and contemporary theories of death and bereavement will be covered (e.g. Mourning and Melancholia, Grief Stages, Dual Process, Continuing Bonds and Terror Management Theory). Students will be introduced to both evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence in the area, which will highlight expertise in the faculty, from quantitative research on death and video games, to qualitative research on suicide, to practice areas including bereavement counselling and emerging technologies for end of life management.

Key Issues and Controversies in the Psychology of Elite Sport Performance (15 Credits) - Optional

This module will aim to introduce students to the ways in which psychological theories and methods contribute to our understanding of elite sport performance, to understand the psychological, behavioural and social determinants of elite sport performance and the applications of sport psychology, from a practitioners perspective, to working with skilled performers.

Coaching Psychology (30 Credits) - Optional

This module offers advanced level study of topics in coaching psychology. It offers students a blend of academic study, practical knowledge, and personal development. The module is designed to measure a variety of learning outcomes and to facilitate students’ development of critical thinking, independent learning, reflective learning, listening and communication skills. It provides an introduction to basic skills of Coaching Psychology. The module may encourage students to explore further training in Coaching and Coaching Psychology as part of their professional and career development.

Lifespan Stages: Adult stages of development (15 Credits) - Optional
The module aims to explore the psychology of lifespan development using theoretical and research orientated approaches. It considers how psychological knowledge of ways in which development can be investigated and observed using research can be undertaken from a variety of perspectives, as well as how it can be understood using models of cognitive, biological, socio-ecological, psychodynamic and developmental psychology. The module aims to develop students’ understanding of how theoretical, empirical and personal examples arising in the fields of academia, research and clinical practice contribute to understanding of lifespan development and can be practically applied to Lifespan investigation.

Lifespan Issues: Impact of Life Experience (15 Credits) - Optional

The module aims to (a) to develop students’ understanding of how theoretical, empirical and personal examples arising in the fields of academia, research and clinical practice contribute to understanding life experience and psychology and (b) to encourage students to think reflectively about the psychological relevance of social norms, expectations, stereotypes and issues of personal identity and nurture on life experience and development

The Psychology of Stress, Motivation and Work-Life Balance (15 Credits) - Optional

This module aims to introduce students to the area of occupational psychology particularly in relation to stress, motivation and work-life balance. The module will introduce theories which underlie stress with a strong focus on the role of stress in the workplace. The students will also gain an understanding of work-life balance and the real-world applications of promoting good work-life balance. The topics will be covered in a variety of ways which will allow the students to engage with some of the critical debates around area. This will range from the complexities surrounding the conceptualisation of work-life balance, to the impact it can have on the health of employees, whilst also incorporating the role of the employer. Although, motivation and stress in the workplace are areas which have been traditionally researched in relation to workplace psychology, both of the areas, along with work-life balance are currently yielding a lot of innovative research. The module will allow students to critically engage with an emerging and increasingly popular area of occupational psychology and it will appeal to students who have an interest in occupational psychology, but specifically the links between work and home life, and how psychology has helped to shape this discipline. Since work based stress, motivation and work-life balance are all employment based topics, the content will be relevant to students beyond their degree and can be carried into their chosen areas of employment. Particularly those who are planning to go into Human Resources, Occupational Psychology or wish to pursue a postgraduate course in this area.