2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PSYC3528 One Brain, Two Hemispheres
15 creditsClass Size: 70
Module manager: Jean-Francois delvenne
Email: j.f.delvenne@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
Pre-requisite qualifications
Successful completion of Year 2 of:BSc Psychology or MPsyc, BSc Advanced Psychology (and its International and Industrial variants)
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
Students will specialise in conceptual and theoretical issues relating to hemispheric lateralisation and inter-hemispheric interaction.In this module, students will acquire an understanding of how the separation of the brain into two hemispheres affects human cognition. It will include state-of-the-art research from experimental work performed with healthy and clinical populations.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have been exposed to a synthesized and integrated view of what we know both about hemispheric lateralisation (i.e., the localisation of a particular function on either the left or right sides of the brain) and the effect of inter-hemispheric interaction (i.e., the transfer of information between hemispheres).
They will be expected to be able to:
- demonstrate experimentally-informed understanding of the literature on hemispheric lateralisation and inter-hemispheric interaction;
- demonstrate critical understanding of the various methodologies used in the divided brain literature and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses;
- address current debates in divided brain literature;
- show how neuropsychology provides useful evidence for understanding how the two cerebral hemispheres functionally differ;
- demonstrate critical and independent evaluation of individual journal articles
Skills outcomes
This module supports the development of:
- Analytic and creative thinking
- Information retrieval, synthesis and evaluation
- Evidence-based reasoning
- Group working and presentation skills
Syllabus
In the lecture series, we will explore the role of the two cerebral hemispheres in relation to a wide variety of mental functions with a particular emphasis on verbal and visuo-spatial processing. It will include state-of-the-art research from experimental work performed with healthy and clinical populations. The topics that will be covered are:
Anatomical differences between the two hemispheres
Corpus callosum
The split-brain syndrome
Lateralised lesions
The divided visual field technique
Developmental aspects of hemispheric specialisation
Hemispheric specialisation in verbal and visuo-spatial processing
Integration of information across the two hemispheres
Individual differences (gender & handedness)
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 9 | 1.50 | 13.50 |
Seminar | 2 | 1.50 | 3.00 |
Private study hours | 133.50 | ||
Total Contact hours | 16.50 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 |
Private study
4 hours preparation for each lecture (x9): 36 hours.Preparation for weeks 9 and 10 presentation: 24 hours.
Preparation for end of semester exam: 40 hours.
Independent literature searches, reading and use of VLE discussion room: 33.5 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Each lecture will finish with a short informal MCQ to test the student’s knowledge of the material covered in the class.In order to encourage critical analysis of research articles on this module, students will be given a research article to critically evaluate and will be encouraged to meet in groups to discuss the article. Students will present their findings to their peers in a seminar session (week 9 or 10). The presentation will not be assessed but a penalty of 5 marks will be given for non participation.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Presentation | Group Pres 15 mins | 0.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0.00 |
In order to encourage critical analysis of research articles on this module, students will be given a research article to critically evaluate and will be encouraged to meet in groups to discuss the article. Students will present their findings to their peers in a seminar session (week 10). The presentation will not be assessed but a penalty of 5 marks will be given for non participation.
Exams
Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 100.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 03/12/2015
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