PY0555 - The Psychology of Leadership

You will learn through lectures, workshops, group activities and independent learning .Lectures will combine with independent study and preparation to support you in consolidating knowledge and understanding and prepare you for module exercises.

Independent study is supported by the University’s e-learning portal (elp) which will give you access to a range of study mediums including, academic journals, e-books, podcasts and lecture/presentation recordings for example. Essential and recommended independent study and preparation will be given in advance of lectures via the digitised module reading list.

Student based activities are an important feature of the module enabling you to work in small groups or pairs to apply knowledge and develop skills. Scenarios and cases studies are used to demonstrate the application of social psychological theory and evidence in practice. The interactive nature of the student based activities will give you opportunities to develop confidence in areas such as group working, critique and debate and presentation skills for example which in turn can enhance your employability.

Directed study will be encouraged through the provision of reading lists, which will serve as a basis for further, independent study. This will be further encouraged through the provision of study questions and topics. Independent learning skills and reflection on the role and value of those skills will prepare you for career development learning.

Tutorials will provide an opportunity for you to discuss issues related to the module with a member of staff.

The module tutor will support you by making a variety of resources linked to the taught elements and assessments available on the e-learning portal (e.g. PowerPoint slides, handouts, reading lists, directed assessment related-activities) along with links to websites to encourage further exploration of consumer psychology. A discussion board on the e-learning portal will be available for students to pose and respond to questions among peers and to module tutors. This enhances collegiality and also means that support is available to all students. Technology enabled learning will be implemented through the use of Panopto lecture recording.
Tutorials can provide an opportunity for students to discuss issues related to the module with a member of staff.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MK1: You will be required to demonstrate conceptual knowledge of Psychology applied to leadership by discussing relevant theory, recent research and methodological approaches
• MK2: You will develop an understanding and appreciation of connections between the topic areas related to leadership.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MIP1: You will develop and demonstrate your ability to communicate academic and/or information to a range of audiences
• MIP2: You will take charge of your own career development learning, through critical self-evaluation and reflection on the relevance of the module for career enhancement and future learning.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MPV1: You will build the characteristics of a Northumbria psychology graduate through engagement in problem based learning, demonstrating a creative approach to tasks and projects

Formative Assessment
You will participate in group activities and skills workshops. Examples include group presentations and problem solving tasks, workshops will be focused upon organisational psychology relevant skills such as interview practice for example. Feedback will be provided verbally by the module tutor on your skills development and peer feedback will be encouraged as part of the process. Self-assessment and reflection will also be encouraged .Where appropriate written feedback will also be provided by the module tutor to identify ways to support skill development and employability enhancement.
(MK1; MK2; MIP1; MPV1)

Summative Assessment
1. The first assessment (90% of module mark) consists of a piece of individual work where you will be required to respond to a leadership case study, which will involve producing short literature reviews relating to leadership psychology topics covered in the module (3000 words) (MK1; MK2; MIP1; MPV1).
2. The second assessment is a self-reflective account in which you will be asked to consider how this module has impacted on your employability and future career (MIP2). This will be worth 10% of the module mark (500 words)

Feedback
Formative assessments, the module tutor will provide immediate verbal feedback on top of peer feedback provided through discussion in group activities.

For the summative report, feedback will be provided on the electronic submission in the form of a level-specific rubric. Additional written comments will be provided that identify a minimum of one strength, one weakness and one area for improvement. A cohort feedback on the assessment will also be communicated through eLearning Portal

You will be required to arrange a tutorial with your Personal Guidance Tutor for formal feedback on your reflection.

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In ‘The Psychology of Leadership’ you will explore the psychological theory and research applied to leadership. The module will first cover an historical overview of psychological research applied to leadership. Research methods typically employed in the study of leadership will then be introduced. The historical overview and research methods element of the module will then the set the scene for subsequent lectures, which will explore the contemporary psychology of leadership. Topics will include: traditional and contemporary leadership theory, methods, culture, groups and interactions, power and control, conflict, creativity, and future research directions.

Each weekly topic area will be introduced alongside a leadership case study in order to offer a ‘real world’ perspective on how leadership issues can be related to different organisational settings.