Summer School: Psychology

Browse our Psychology modules below, and if you’re unsure what to study, follow our top tips for how to choose a module.

Module information

Choose from a variety of modules:

Session One 

• Psychology and Social Issues

  Module code: IS421

  This module offers students an interdisciplinary exploration of contemporary social issues (e.g. current affairs, abortions, body image) from a psychological and sociological perspective. Each session aims to introduce you to a specific societal concern to provide a platform for debate and interactive activities.

  There are no specific pre-requisites for this module, however it is suitable for students who have studied first year of Psychology and are familiar with the academic approaches. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of psychological and sociological approaches to studying social issues and will need to analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competing theoretical perspectives and research.

  Typical topics covered (but this can change from year-to-year) include: prejudice and discrimination; body image and the media; social media and wellbeing; money and materialism; climate change and the environment; morality; politics and ideology.

  Throughout the module you will explore these contemporary social issues from a psychological and sociological perspective, engaging in small group discussions and activities with a focus on applying relevant readings and theory to real-world situations.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of psychological and sociological approaches to studying social issues
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the major contemporary debates in psychology theory applied to explore social issues and identify areas where the knowledge base is most/least secure
  • Analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competing theoretical perspectives and/or research evidence
  • Interact effectively as a group, sharing experiences, giving and receiving information and ideas and modifying responses where appropriate.

  Teaching method: Lectures, seminars and tutorials
  Assessment: 65% essay, 25% group presentation, 10% observation
  Contact hours: 40 hours 
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 5

• Psychology Now! Contemporary issues in and applications of psychology

  Module code: IS445

  Psychology Now! will introduce students to a variety of contemporary topics in psychology and a variety of ways in which psychological knowledge is applied to understand and solve everyday problems. It covers topics related to well-being, mental health, some everyday aspects of psychology and some theories that help us explain everyday problems. This module is suited to students with no background in psychology who are interested in learning the subject. The module can also act as a springboard to access our more specific and advanced psychology modules in session 2.

  Topics vary from year to year but might typically include:

  • psychology of work and rest
  • hypnosis
  • gender differences
  • clinical psychology and mental health
  • educational psychology
  • how the presence of others affects our behaviour.

  This module integrates lecturing and small group teaching to support you in acquiring knowledge on psychology theory and research and evaluating the effectiveness of the application of psychology to solve real world problems. Most of the reading for this course is intended to be accessible to a lay person, but you will also develop the ability to evaluate the adequacy of empirical psychology research on the topics covered and communicate theoretical ideas through group discussions and assignments.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Describe and evaluate contemporary topics in psychology and contributions of key areas of applied psychology.
  • Describe and evaluate some of the research and theories that support these contemporary and applied areas
  • Evaluate how psychological theory is used to solve practical problems encountered by different types of psychologists
  • Interact effectively as a group, sharing experiences, giving and receiving information and ideas, and modifying responses where appropriate.

  Teaching method: Lectures, seminars and tutorials
  Assessment: 65% essay, 25% group presentation, 10% observation
  Contact hours: 40 hours 
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 4

Session Two 

• Clinical Psychology and Mental Health

  Module code: IS422

  This module will appeal to students who are currently in or are progressing onto psychology, biology and public health. You will be introduced to the most common psychological disorders, explore contemporary issues with regard to both diagnosis and treatment. You will receive a basic understanding of the causation, diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.

  Teaching involves a blend of lecture and seminar methods, and you will have the opportunity for small group work, interacting effectively within a team, exploring key societal issues and debates pertaining to the conceptualisation and treatment of mental health. For each group of psychological disorders, you will learn about diagnostic criteria, key theories of causation across a range of models (such as biomedical, cognitive and psychological models), and the efficacy of therapies and/or treatments available.

  Typically (but this can change from year-to-year) students will explore anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety), mood disorders (e.g., depression), and psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia), but coverage of disorders is not limited to these groups. You will also have the opportunity to consider the societal consequences of medicalising mental health and explore contrasting non-mainstream approaches.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the theories applied to explain the causation, maintenance and treatment of the most common mental health disorders
  • Demonstrate an understanding of key societal issues and debates pertaining to the conceptualisation and treatment of mental health
  • Analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competing theoretical perspectives and/or research evidence
  • Interact effectively as a group, sharing experiences, giving and receiving information and ideas and modifying responses where appropriate.

  Teaching method: Lectures, seminars and tutorials
  Assessment: 65% essay, 25% group presentation, 10% observation
  Contact hours: 40 hours 
  Credits: 15 Sussex Credits
  Level: 5

Session dates

• Session One: 30 June - 18 July 2025
• Session Two: 21 July - 8 August 2025

Not sure how to choose?

Follow our top tips for choosing your modules. You can also find out about our teaching structure, assessment process and how your credits transfer back to your home institution.

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