Psychology (BSc)

Duration:                                           4 years: Normal entry

3 years: Special/Mature entry

Actual Credit Load:                          540

Minimum Credit Load:                    480

Maximum Credit Load:                   540

Total MBKS Credit Load:               408

ZNQF Level:                                      8

• PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

• To inculcate in students the ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge of a comprehensive range of psychological theories, research methods and applications.
• To instill in students the ability for critical thinking required to apply psychological theories and methods in addressing psychosocial problems.
• To capacitate students to apply psychological knowledge to a variety of work settings.
• To produce graduates who are ethically and socially responsible.
• To mould and produce graduates who can effectively write, present, and interact with others.

• ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For all pathways, candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level subjects/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better.

8.0 PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT

            Continuous Assessment Work: It constitutes 40% of the final mark and is comprised

of: Written assignments, workshop reports, work placement reports, seminar and group presentations, role-plays, field visits reports, in- class tests, and any other relevant assessments.

Written Examinations: End-of-semester examinations constitute 60% of the final mark.

Other:

• Dissertation is assessed on the basis of a research project (75%) and an oral presentation (25%).
• Work Related Learning is assessed based on a student’s Industrial

placement report (30%), assessment by work supervisor (40%) and        assessment by academic supervisor (30%).

  9.0 PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION

Refer to Section 6 of the Faculty Regulations

     10.0 FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS

Refer to Section 7 of the Faculty Regulations

    11.0 GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION

Refer to Section 10 of the Faculty Regulations

    12.0 DEGREE WEIGHTING

Refer to Section 11 of the Faculty Regulations

    13.0 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

                                                                                                                  Credits                                          Level 1 Semester 1

PSY 131          History of Psychology                                                12

PSY 132          Introduction to Psychology                                       12

PSY 133          Introduction to Social Psychology                             12

SOC 131         Introduction to Sociology                                           12

HCS 135         Introduction to Information Technology                    12

CS 131            Communication Skills                                                 12

Level 1 Semester 2

PSY 134          Human Diversity                                                         12

PSY 135          Psychology Concepts, Methods and Applications     12

PSY 136          Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology          12

PSY 137          Psychology of Counselling                                         12

PSY 138          Emotional Intelligence                                                12

HRM 139        Industrial Relations                                                     12

Level 2 Semester 1

PSY 231          Psychobiology                                                             12

PSY 232          Child Development                                                     12

PSY 233          Principles of Learning                                                 12

PSY 234          Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics      12

GSS 201          Gender Studies for Social Sciences                            12

ENT 235         Entrepreneurship                                                         12

Level 2 Semester 2

PSY 235          Human Resource Psychology                                     12

PSY 236          Community Psychology                                              12

PSY 237          Adolescence and Adulthood Development               12

PSY 238          Personality                                                                  12

PSY 239          Cognitive Psychology                                                 12

PSY 240          Ethics and Professional Practice                                 12

Level 3   Semester 1

PSY330           Work Related Learning Placement Report                 40

Level 3 Semester 2

PSY 341          Work Related Learning Report                                  30

PSY 342          Academic Supervisor’s Report                                   20

PSY 343          Employer’s Assessment Report                                  30

Level 4 Semester 1

PSY431          Psychopathology                                                         12

PSY432          Psychometrics                                                              12

PSY433          Organisational Psychology                                          12

PSY434          Educational Psychology                                              12

PSY435          Health Psychology                                                      12

PSY436          Neuropsychology                                                        12

Level 4 Semester 2

PSY 437        Psychology and Law                                                    12

PSY 438        Principles of Psychotherapy                             12

PSY 439        Contemporary-Critical Psychology                              12

PSY 440        Dissertation                                                                  24

14.0 MODULE SYNOPSES

PSY131: HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY

The student travels the journey from the philosophical foundations of Psychology to the present state of the discipline. Changes through the different perspectives driven by the battle over what (subject) and how (methods) Psychology should be studied are highlighted as well as the prominent personalities associated with different schools of thought.

PSY132: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

The module introduces students to the richness and diversity of Psychology’s fundamental principles, theories, concepts and findings, and equips them with tools necessary for the study of human behaviour and mental processes. Major domains of Psychology as a discipline are also explored on the basis of classic studies, and of current and emerging research, including reference to the DSM-5 in discussions of psychological disorders.

PSY133: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

The module covers : The nature and causes of individual/group behaviour and thought processes in social settings; The way people think about, feel, behave, and how they influence and are influenced by others; Perspectives, empirical research methods, findings; Impression-formation, conformity, prosocial behaviour, interpersonal attraction, persuasion, stereotyping, prejudice; Analysis of theory and research in Social Psychology.

SOC131: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Refer to the Department of Sociology.

HCS135: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Refer to the Department of Information Systems

CS131: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Refer to the Department of Communication Skills

PSY134: HUMAN DIVERSITY

The module focuses on and celebrates individual differences. Special attention is given to means of managing diversity in different contexts such as workplaces. The module further studies special populations, including people with disabilities, the marginalized, sexually different populations, and racial and ethnic groups.

PSY135: PSYCHOLOGY CONCEPTS, METHODS AND APPLICATIONS

This module builds on the Introduction to Psychology module. Covered concepts, theories and methods augment central themes and controversies of the discipline acquired earlier. This provides students with an understanding of the human mind and behaviour. Also examined are the psychodynamic perspective, humanism, post-modernism, personality, intelligence, and mental and behavioural issues. In workshop teams, students debate on raised issues.

PSY136: CONTEMPORARY AND APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

The module focuses on challenges addressed by Social Psychology. Topics include: Attitudes and attitude change; Prejudice, discrimination; Aggression, conflict, conflict resolution; Group behaviour; Social Psychology in politics, law and health; Tendency to conform to social norms; Applied studies; Application of Social Psychology basic principles to find, understand, interpret and use more specialized, and applied research findings.

PSY137: PSYCHOLOGY OF COUNSELLING

The module is on the need for, role, qualities, relationship-building and ethical practice in Counselling. Students are introduced to counselling and therapeutic theories, focusing on their tenets and applicability to childhood, adolescence, couple, career, and drug abuse counselling, and counselling of special populations. They analyse role-plays and explore counselling skills, techniques and process models that guide counselling.

PSY138: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

This module provides knowledge on theory and practice in Emotional Intelligence. Students are expected to recognise, regulate, express/elicit, and to monitor their own and other people’s emotions. The module also exposes students to current areas of interest which include developing emotional intelligence in people through sharing emotional experiences and carrying out emotional intelligence-enhancing exercises.

HRM 139: INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

Refer to the Department of Human Resource Management

PSY231: PSYCHOBIOLOGY

The module is on how biological processes influence human behaviour and mental functioning. It equips students with knowledge of: Genetics and the role of various body systems such as the nervous and endocrine systems in behaviour; The organisation, function and role of homeostatic organs in behaviour; The human anatomy in explaining behaviours.

PSY232: CHILD DEVELOPMENT

The module introduces students to the scientific study of child development, focusing on age-related changes in various domains. Emphasis is on the holistic development of children, inclusive of social, emotional, cognitive, moral and physical development. Students are exposed to issues related to children’s wellbeing such as the influence of attachment patterns and parenting styles on behavioural outcomes, child abuse and children’s rights.

PSY233: PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING

The module focuses on students’ mastery of critical and creative thinking. Topics include: Principles of learning, conditioning, motivation, memory, and associated neurobiological mechanisms; Integration of principles with a socio-psychobiological context to explain and analyse (ab)normal behaviour; Appropriate terminology used in explaining how the principles were arrived at from experimental studies.

PSY234: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS AND STATISTICS

The module introduces students to qualitative and quantitative paradigms/approaches and to respective methods. It gives students an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the use of statistical tables and formulae in analysing and interpreting research data. It also exposes students to the association of variables, regression, prediction, statistical inferences and hypothesis-testing, Chi-square (x2) and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

GSSS 201 GENDER STUDIES FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES

This module is an introductory module focused on giving students a broad understanding of the discipline of Gender Studies, its subject matter, key issues and concepts. It is designed to help students develop a critical understanding of basic gender issues as well as prepare them to be agents of change, particularly in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe. In so doing GSSS 201 adopts an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach that takes as its subject matter all aspects of the human experience in a gendered world, viewing gender as a field of study, analytical tool and a social phenomenon structuring the social world itself.

ENT 235: ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Refer to the Department of Entrepreneurship

PSY235: HUMAN RESOURCE PSYCHOLOGY

The module focuses on the application of psychological principles to the management of human capital. Topics covered include work study, recruitment and selection, labour relations and employee motivation. Issues to do with employee appraisals and the management of training are also dealt with.

PSY 236: COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY

The module deals with the origins of the different Models of Community Psychology and Public Health as well as key concepts such as prevention, participation and empowerment. It focuses on some community problems, with emphasis on how Principles of Community Psychology can be used to effect change. Emphasis is also given to special populations and how their peculiar needs can be addressed.

PSY237: ADOLESCENCE AND ADULTHOOD DEVELOPMENT

The module provides knowledge on developmental theories. For adolescence, focus is on explanations and effects of body changes, the influence of peer relationships, and initiations into adulthood in the African context. For adulthood, focus is on: Theories of career choices in young adulthood; Midlife crises and related issues in middle-age; Theories of ageing, developmental challenges and old age home life for the elderly.

PSY238: PERSONALITY

This module covers Personality and Motivation theories for students to gain an appreciation of approaches that can be considered in conceptualising personalities. Topics covered include: An overview of Personality Psychology; Basic assumptions of human nature; Perspectives of Personality, including the Psychodynamic, Dispositional, Learning, Behavioural and the Humanistic-Existential Perspectives.

PSY239: COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

The module provides students with an understanding of how humans organize and interpret information to produce a conscious experience of objects, events, situations and of people. Topics include: Perception, attention, accommodation, assimilation, information processing, memory, language and thought processes. The module also explores ways by which cognition is utilised by humans in an attempt to ensure continued survival.

PSY240: ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Students are oriented on: Professional Psychological Assessment and Psychotherapist identity; Ethical, legal and professional codes of conduct; The Health Professions Act Chapter 27: 19 and the requisite Mandate; Safe, acceptable practice; Professional issues associated with risk in working with clients in diverse settings/circumstances; Individual and team-based service models; Communication and implications on practice; Intern supervisee-supervisor relationships.

PSY330 Work Related Learning Placement Report

The students will submit a comprehensive work placement report which shows their understanding of the organisation placed.

PSY341 Work Related Learning Report

As part of the examination the students will be required to submit a comprehensive academic report of their work related learning experience to the department and it will be marked and awarded a mark that will be ratified by the departmental examinations board.

 PSY342 Work Related Academic Supervisor’s Report

As part of the examination the students will be assessed and awarded a mark by the academic supervisor and this will be presented to the departmental examinations board for processing of final marks.

PSY343 Work Related Learning Supervisor’s Report

The employer will assess the student and award a mark which will be presented to the departmental

examinations board for processing of final marks.

PSY431: PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

The module is on mental disorders. Concepts covered include the scientific study of the disorders, with focus on their genetic, biological, psychological, and social causes, and respective symptoms. Students analyse symptoms to correctly classify the disorders so as to prescribe appropriate interventions.

PSY432: PSYCHOMETRICS

The module provides students with grounding in the comprehension and application of psychometric tests, related theories, the nature and essence of psychometrics, test construction and use, and enhancement of test effectiveness. Focus is on: Methods of observing and measuring human behaviour; Psychometric assessment methods and practice; Testing principles of validity, reliability, standardization of, and adopting/adapting tests.

PSY433: ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

The module provides knowledge on the role of personnel management in organisations. It focuses on: The nature and role of leadership, organizational structure and the application of psychological theories in addressing personnel problems; An examination of the behaviour of employees in various work settings in the context of cognitive, learning, social, emotional and personality factors; Industrial Psychology concepts and perspectives.

PSY434: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

The module covers themes on general and specific learning, and socio-emotional difficulties in educational settings. It illustrates and integrates problems of learners with disabilities with the use of respective special teaching-learning methods. Also covered are case studies, surveys and consultations with education specialists, rehabilitation workers and other relevant pedagogy. Learners covered in this module range from kindergarten up to university students.

PSY435: HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

The module examines the psychosocial impact of health, illness, and disability on individuals, families and society. Topics covered are: The bio-psychosocial approach to Health Psychology; Health beliefs, attitudes and behaviour; Patient-practitioner relationships; Chronic and terminal illnesses; Health promotion in local cultural contexts, on policy and health-provision in Zimbabwe; Planning and evaluating interventions.

PSY436: NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

The module exposes students to the anatomy, physiology and biology of the central nervous system which underlie human behaviour and mental processes. Topics covered include: Genetic, hormonal and functional systems; Examination of the interface between Psychology, Neurology and Psychiatry in relation to the psychological effects of brain lesions, trauma, toxicology and various forms of mental under-development.

PSY 437: PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW

The module is on the inter-connectedness of Psychology and Law. Emphasis is on: Crime prevention and rehabilitation of offenders, persuasive communication, group dynamics, jury decision making, and external factors affecting courtroom behaviour, such as the media, and profiles of criminals. Other psychological issues when dealing with children and special populations are also addressed.

PSY438: PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

The module is on major approaches, namely the Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Person-centred, Rational-emotive, Humanistic, and Behavioural. It also explores: Current issues/practices in psychotherapy, emotional, relational, behavioural and cognitive mechanisms of change, and empirical evidence for psycho-therapy; Emotion regulation, cultural competency, therapeutic boundaries, principles, philosophy, tenets of the approaches, and therapist self-care.      

PSY439: CONTEMPORARY-CRITICAL PSYCHOLOGY

The module examines : Implications of debates between mainstream and critical approaches to Psychology; Philosophical foundations from Foucault and the analysis of bio-power, Derrida on deconstruction and Mbembe and the post-colony; Implications of the challenges are examined in relation to Mkhize, Burman, Gergen, and others. Attention is on relationships between critical theory and qualitative research methodologies in Psychology.

PSY440: DISSERTATION

Students identify psychosocial problems and conduct research to address them. They apply previously taught research concepts and statistical skills, conceptualize ideas, review relevant literature, use appropriate methods/tools, collect, present, analyse and interpret data from which they draw conclusions and suggest recommendations. Under the guidance of a lecturer

in the Department, students pursue a study on a relevant topic of their interest.

NB: These regulations are an amended version of what is currently on offer. The amendments are in line with the Allied Health Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe (AHPCZ)’s requirement for the content to be more focused on Community Psychology. At the time the amended version was due for submission to the AHPCZ, there was ZIMCHE’s call for programme regulations to be MBK-aligned. And as such, these regulations have gone through the alignment process