Modules

Module title: The Social Psychology of Immigration
SCQF level: 10:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: PSY10114
Module leader: Mirona Gheorghiu
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Psychology
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
2019/0, Trimester 2, FACE-TO-FACE,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Mirona Gheorghiu
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
The module will be taught as a combination of weekly one-hour lectures and one-hour tutorials.

The purpose of the lectures is to introduce you to specific concepts and theories as well as to the main questions in relation to a particular topic (LO1-5). Tutorials are designed to complement the lecture material by providing you with the opportunity of engaging more deeply and critically with the research presented in lectures and of applying the scholarship to understanding current issues surrounding immigration (LO1-5).

The first six lectures and tutorials will cover topics related to differnt disciplinary approaches to the study of immigration (LO1), and, more extensively, to the nature, origins and consequences of anti-immigrant sentiment (LO2, LO4-5). The remaining five lectures will cover topics related to acculturation processes (e.g., integration, segregation) and multiculturalism practices (LO3, LO4-5).

Formative Assessment:
You will receive feedback on your learning through tutorial participation.

2 Q&A sessions (1 hour each) will be scheduled outside tutorials and lectures to give you feedback on how you approach the two essays.

Summative Assessment:
The assessment of this module will consist of two components (1) a case study of a specific migrant group and (2) an essay in which you will have to take a more general perspective about what you think the main immigration questions facing the discipline of social psychology are. Together these two essays will enable you to demonstrate analytical and critical depth as well as breadth of understanding of the immigration scholarship.

Component 1: Case study of a specific migrant group (2500 words) 75%

Here you are required to focus on a particular ethnic or regional group of migrants (e.g., Polish or Eastern Europeans, Syrian refugees) and evaluate existing scholarship on this group’s migration experience by drawing on research that looks at motives for migrating, their experience of migration and their interaction with and adjustment to the host culture. In addition, you will also need to examine research on the host culture’s attitudes towards this group (e.g., what kind of sentiments are expressed towards this group, how they can be explained and what their consequences are for the treatment of these groups).

Component 2: Future directions in immigration research (1000 words) 25%

In this essay, you are required to draw and justify your own conclusions about what you think are the most pressing questions social psychology must address in relation to immigration and the future direction of the discipline. To complete this essay you are expected to draw from what you learned in the module, independent readings and an analysis of the current social and political reality surrounding the issue of immigration.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 10
Face To Face Tutorial 10
Independent Learning Guided independent study 180
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Essay 75 LO1-5 9 , WORDS= 2500
Essay 25 LO1-5 14/15 , WORDS= 1000
Component 1 subtotal: 75
Component 2 subtotal: 25
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

This module will provide you with a critical perspective on the topic of immigration in contemporary societies by drawing insights from research in social psychology, sociology and migration studies. It will explore the nature and origin of anti-immigrant sentiment and its consequences for the treatment of immigrants. It will engage with one of the most disputed social and political issue, that of how immigrants integrate in the host society. The module will take a critical look at existing research on processes of acculturation and multiculturalism practices to understand the dynamics between the two groups sharing the same space. Finally, throughout the module, you are encouraged to apply, interpret and challenge the scholarship on immigration in light of current events.
Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: critically evaluate the contributions of social psychology to understanding the problematic of immigration and migration alongside insights from sociology and other social sciences

LO2: critically engage and evaluate the scholarship on the nature of anti-immigrant sentiment, its origins and consequences for the treatment of immigrants

LO3: critically evaluate models of acculturation and multiculturalism

LO4: critically apply insights from immigration research to understand contemporary debates on immigration

LO5: develop critical thinking and writing skills
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

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