APPLIED SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY - MSC at Keele University

Applied Social and Political Psychology programme lead, Dr Masi Noor has received international acclaim from the Washington-based Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPPSI) by scooping a coveted prize for innovative teaching on the programme. Dr Noor has been awarded the 2020 Innovative Teaching Award, which recognises innovative teaching with an international significance, and is one of the most internationally prominent teaching awards available. 

OVERVIEW

This programme has been carefully developed for students who are interested in gaining advanced knowledge of psychological theory as this relates to social and political issues and the potential for such knowledge to generate progressive social change. The degree programme will equip you to engage critically and analytically with these issues and help you to develop novel ways of thinking about yourself, those around you and society at large. The theoretical and applied nature of this programme will offer you the opportunity to study how psychology helps interpret some of the most pressing social and political issues facing human society in the 21st Century and how it can contribute to tackling some of them.

In addition to your taught components, you will have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation project on a topic of your choice under the direct supervision of a member of staff. You will be able to use quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method approaches.

A further unique feature of this degree programme is that it involves you in the design and implementation of an Action Research Project that is aimed at bringing a tangible, positive change on or off campus in collaboration with your fellow students and under the supervision of your Module Leader.

The programme is aimed primarily at students with a degree in Psychology but will also be valuable and relevant to students with an interest or background in Criminology, International Relations, Politics, Sociology, History, and other relevant Social Sciences degrees. Applicants without a degree will be considered on a case by case basis, where they can provide evidence of relevant professional experience or other experiential prior learning.

KEY FEATURES OF YOUR MSC PROGRAMME IN PSYCHOLOGY WILL INCLUDE:

• Strong focus on your personal skills development throughout the course to help you pursue your career goals
• Opportunities to pursue your personal interests with expert support
• A broad range of research methods training to maximise your employability skills
• Small group specialist teaching in your chosen field from research-active tutors
• A large cohort of MSc students sharing the core modules provides a lively and supportive peer community

AIMS OF THE COURSE

• Above all, we aim for this programme to have a positive professional and personal impact on you. 
• An important aim of this programme is to develop your knowledge of research evidence and theory as this relates to a range of social and political issues.
• The programme is aimed to provide you with opportunities to experience hands-on how research and theory (e.g., through the Action Research Project and your own dissertation project of choice) can be used to bring about social change in local communities and society at large.
• To develop a range of advanced research skills.
• Empower writing and presentations skills necessary to articulate your arguments and disseminate psychological theory and research.
• To assist you to develop as a competent, empowered, and employable psychologist.