M06 Key Questions in Environmental Psychology: People and Place
Aims and Learning Outcomes
This module aims to introduce students to the philosophy, historical foundations and development of the sub-discipline of environmental psychology; to expose students to the major theoretical formulations and models in the area of environmental psychology in order to provide a conceptual underpinning to inform their approach to research and practice; and to provide the students with an awareness of the array of qualitative and quantitative methods employed in environment-behaviour research.
By the end of this module students are expected to:
- be aware of cognate disciplines including, but not exclusively, architecture, planning, design and environmental sciences, in order that they are aware of the perspectives and orientations of these disciplines and can engage in a mutually informative dialogue.
- be able to self-reflect in support of personal and professional development via constructive feedback.
link theoretical and empirical questions to social and environmental issues with a view to understanding the practical applications of environmental psychological theories and empirical findings. - be knowledgeable about procedures and practices for the ethical conduct of research.
Course Convenor
Dr Gerda Speller
Other Contributors
Contact Hours
20
Required Prerequisite Study
None
Completion Requirement
Completion of the module (and the acquisition of 15 course credits) requires a total of 20 contact hours in the form of lectures, seminars and workshops. Students are also expected to invest a minimum of 5 hours of study time for each hour of contact time in order to undertake the course to a satisfactory degree.
Assessments
Students will be required to undertake two assignments, one essay of 3000 words (50% of the final mark) and one presentation including a 2000 word outline (50% of the final mark). The marking of the presentation will be based on both a written submission of the presentation and the presentation itself. The presentation will be judged by two members of staff.
Suggested Reading
Altman, I. & Low, S. (1992). Place Attachment. New York: Plenum Press.
Bechtel, R.B. & Churchman, A. (eds.) (2002). Handbook of Environmental Psychology. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Bell, P.A., Greene, T.C., Fisher, J.D., & Baum, A. (2001). Environmental Psychology (5th ed). Forth Worth, USA: Harcourt Brace.
Bonnes, M., Lee, T. & Bonaiuto, M. (eds.) (2003). Psychological Theories for Environmental Issues. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing.
Breakwell, G., Hammond, S.M., Fife-Schaw, C. & Smith, J. (eds.) (2006). Research Methods in Psychology, 3rd ed. London: Sage Publications.
Duncan, J. & Ley, D. (eds.) (1993). Place/Culture/Representations. London: Routledge.
Gardner, G.T. & Stern, P.C. (2002). Environmental Problems and Human Behavior,2nd edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.
Gifford, R. (2002). Environmental Psychology: Principles and Practice, 3rd edition. Boston: Allyn & Baker.
Lynch, K. (1960). The Image of the City. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Relph, E. (1976). Place and Placelessness. London: Pion Ltd.
Sime, J. (1999). What is Environmental Psychology? Journal of Environmental Psychology, 19(2): 191-206.
Stokols, D. (1995). The paradox of environmental psychology. American Psychologist, 50: 821-837.
Stokols, D. & Altman, I. (eds.) (1987). Handbook of Environmental Psychology. (Volumes 1 & 2). New York: Wiley.
Winter, D.D. & Koger, S.M. (2004). The Psychology of Environmental Problems, 2nd edition. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.