This module encourages you to take an in-depth look at the way psychology has been used to explain and control crime. We will explore the way psychological principles can be applied to such issues as violence, murder, serial killing and the role of the courts. You will be given the change to critically reflect on both the topics covered and your developing understanding of the subject through lectures and seminar activities.
This module will introduce students to the analysis of some of the concrete political challenges facing the world in the early 21st century. Drawing on political science, political theory and international relations (as well as wider disciplines), it takes up a problem-based approach designed to explore the causes of the problem (diagnosis), the dangers that it poses (prognosis), and the ways in which it may be addressed (prescription). It is aimed at both helping students to understanding the complexity of addressing these problems but also the possibilities for doing so.
This module is for experienced teachers only (at least 2 years + teaching practice) as it draws extensively on students’ theoretical and practical knowledge of language teaching methodologies in specific national and institutional contexts with particular learner groups. The aim of this module is to give a detailed overview of different methods and approaches to language teaching, along with their theoretical underpinnings regarding language, learning, and pedagogy. We investigate a range of contemporary approaches to curriculum and syllabus design and their implications for language classrooms. Students will be familiarised with different ways to evaluate course-books and to design teaching material appropriate to specific learner groups and contexts.
The development of absolute dating methods has had the most profound effect on our understanding of the past. All self-respecting archaeologists should have a basic grounding in radiocarbon dating, but many other dating techniques exist and are appropriate for particular archaeological materials. As well as covering radiocarbon dating, the module covers most of the dating methods of relevance to archaeology from dendrochronology of historical wood back to K/Ar dating of early hominines. The scientific basis of each technique will be covered, but the main focus will be on the application of the dating methods to archaeology through examination of case studies. In particular we will look at how, why and when the scientists have got it wrong, and what archaeologists need to know to spot a dodgy date.
This core module provides students with an opportunity to engage with a variety of methodologies and themes at MA level, including those they may be less familiar with, such as oral history and the history of memory, and cultural history and the history of emotions. Focussing particularly on areas of study which have seen recent growth and innovation, such as gender history and masculinity, this module also considers how historians can draw upon and interact with methodologies and theories from other disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, and political science. Sessions will involve studying themes over broad time periods, offering students the opportunity to focus on more conceptual historical approaches.
This module provides a comprehensive overview of current issues and challenges in global health. Using relevant case studies, it will discuss trends and determinants of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as assessing possible effective responses to key transnational health challenges. As part of this process we will analyse the complex relationship between global health, poverty and human development within the framework of the post-2015 Sustainable Development health-related goals.
This module will introduce you to resonant examples of critical media practices, enabling you to combine in critical ways the theory and practice of digital media. Through practice workshops with staff and invited practitioners, exploring key examples from digital, alternative and experimental media, you will be encouraged to produce work that is analytical and critical. You will learn to understand the creative practices, technical skills and conceptual frameworks required to produce critical media projects in different media (ranging from video and photography to web and digital environment), combined with awareness of how contemporary media production, participation and consumption are shaped by their historical, technological and everyday contexts.
This module explores and critically analyses diverse and sometimes opposing perspectives on organising and managing a range of organisations, including but not limited to MNCs, SMEs and local organisations. The module exposes learners to critical analyses of key topics including leadership, culture, organisational change, power, identities, technology and the global context of organisation. The application of these concepts to organisational and management practices will be examined through various case studies.
This module is based on a selection of recent and innovative scholarly writings on music, which challenge the reader to examine their assumptions about the nature of both scholarship and music as cultural practices.
Through a series of lectures delivered by staff from across the department, and invited guests, this module introduces students to some of the key areas of contemporary theoretical discourse that influence cultural and creative practice. This module aims to broaden the students’ theoretical horizons and inform their artistic practices. The module is intentionally designed to bridge the historical art theory emphasis of much undergraduate education and the higher theoretical demands now placed on artists pursuing doctoral research. For assessment, students are required to propose, research and write a short essay on a theoretical area of their choice, that relates to their studio practice. The module thereby provides an opportunity to locate themselves within this theoretical discourse, and to begin to articulate their own critical voice in relation to major contemporary arguments in critical theory. This academic writing task is important in preparing students both for further study at doctoral level and for the proposal writing aspects of professional practice beyond the institution.
This module has two elements. First, students are introduced to the key concepts of critical thinking needed to analyse, evaluate and compare arguments and develop different points of view. Secondly students are taught how to research a topic using the resources available at the university. The students use all these skills in the second semester to carry out a research project on a topic related to their chosen undergraduate degree subject.
This module develops your understanding of a new method of making payments which is an alternative to cash or credit cards. The first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was introduced by Satoshi Nakomoto in 2008, and today around 2,000 cryptocurrencies are available on the market. During this module you will consider cryptocurrencies from different perspectives, as financial assets and as money. This module will explain the technological aspects of cryptocurrencies and their financial and investment characteristics. This modules adds to your knowledge of Portfolio management and alternative investments. To give you an understanding of the distributed ledger technology and its financial application. It will equip you with knowledge and skills needed to analyse, invest, and forecast cryptocurrency markets using existing financial theories and quantitative methods. This module aims to prepare you to use your analytical skills to uncover potential of new and innovative assets, cryptocurrencies, or those instruments that have not been created yet, but might emerge in the future. This module will boost your employability in various sectors of finance and business.
This module covers the mathematics, techniques, and applications of modern cryptography. We will look at the history of code making and code breaking, and draw lessons for the future from the mistakes and successes of the past. We will also give a gentle introduction to the mathematics underlying modern cryptosystems.
This course builds upon the Statistical Mechanics Course (PHYS2024) to form a complete basic course on the fundamentals of the physics of solids. After the course the student should have developed the necessary theoretical knowledge to enable them to understand and explain some of the most important properties of materials such as their melting temperature, electronic properties and magnetism. The course will also provide the necessary grounding to allow students to move onto more advanced topics and research in this industrially and academically important field.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process required in many countries to predict the consequences of proposed projects (e.g. construction) or policies (e.g. ground water management). This includes assessing the impact on cultural heritage assets. Within this module you will learn the methods used to evaluate heritage sites and landscapes using desk based approaches, including Geographical information Systems, Computer Aided Design, historical maps, national archives and remote sensing. The module will include detailed discussion of the requirements of the EIA process, standards adhered to and the roles of consultants, regulators and contractors within this process.
This is one of the compulsory modules that provides an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of fashion in both contemporary and historical contexts. It considers how as an ever-evolving global phenomenon fashion can be understood through socio-cultural, economic and environmental perspectives. The fashion industry is increasingly interested in how issues of equality, diversity and inclusion manifest and this module will address these concerns. Consumers are key players within the field of fashion and cycles of fashion and this module will introduce theories and models of consumer behaviour to understand why consumers make decisions in buying fashion products and services. To understand consumers, it is important to have a clear insight into the multiple elements of personal identity intersect within individuals and impact on relationships between individuals and communities, as well as how these can influence consumer behaviour and decisions.
