Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and Psychology (Common Entry) Atlantic Technological University - Sligo Campus, Ireland

The BA (Hons) English and Psychology degree at ATU Sligo enables students to think critically and acquire a deep understanding of the human condition and human behaviour through the study of English and Psychology. The transferable skills, knowledge, and understanding acquired on the programme are highly relevant and sought after by a wide variety of industry employers and postgraduate educational programmes. The degree is delivered by a teaching staff who are active researchers, clinicians, writers, and practitioners.

Psychology involves the scientific study of human behaviour through the analysis of fields such as human development, theories of learning, therapeutic approaches, social dynamics, biological processes, mental health, and psychological research skills. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of what it is to be human from a scientific perspective. They develop technical and analytical skills that are highly sought after in areas of technology which have significant implications for society, such as artificial intelligence.

English literature, prose, poetry, and drama are works of art that are primarily concerned with the human condition. The English strand offers both traditional and practice-based academic approaches to literature and drama for adults, children, and young people. Students develop an appreciation that arts and culture are integral to society, allowing them to positively contribute to developing strong arts, culture, and education sectors in Ireland and beyond.

YEAR 1

Students have 50% of their modules in the English strand and 50% of their modules in the Psychology strand.

The English strand modules in Year 1 Semester 1 include: (1) Drama Studies: An Introduction, (2) English Literature, Prose and Poetry: Texts, Contexts and Subtexts 1, and (3) Theatre in Education: The Secondary School Context. Year 1 Semester 2 English strand modules include: (4) Applied Cultural Studies in Literature, Drama, and Contemporary Culture, (5) Drama 2 Through the Looking Glass: Representation and Performance, and (6) English Literature, Prose, Poetry: Texts, Contexts and Subtexts 2.

The Psychology strand modules in Year 1 Semester 1 include: (1) Psychology of Learning, (2) Research Ethics in Psychology, and (3) Foundations of Psychology. Year 1 Semester 2 Psychology strand modules include: (4) Developmental Psychology (0-18 years) and (5) Research Methods for Psychology I (which focuses on focus group qualitative research methodology).

YEAR 2

Students have 50% of their modules in the English strand and 50% of their modules in the Psychology strand.

The English Strand modules in Year 2 Semester 1 include: (1) Literary Genres – Short Forms – The Short Story & Irish Poetry, (2) Literary Theory and Criticism, and (3) Children’s Literature. Year 2 Semester 2 English strand modules include: (4) Drama in Education: Theory – Planning – Practice, (5) Irish Contemporary Drama Through the Lens of Greek Tragedy, and (6) Young People’s Literature.

The Psychology strand modules in Year 2 Semester 1 include: (1) Personality and Individual Differences, (2) Adult Developmental Psychology, and (3) Research Methods for Psychology II (which focuses on experimental quantitative research methodology). Year 2 Semester 2 Psychology strand modules include: (4) Psychological Therapy, (5) Social Psychology, and (6) The Biological Basis of Behaviour.

YEAR 3

Students have 50% of their modules in the English strand and 50% of their modules in the Psychology strand.

The English strand modules in Year 3 Semester 1 include: (1) Research Methods for English and Drama/Applied Theatre Studies, (2) Contemporary Irish Writing, and (3) Theatre for Young Audiences.

The Psychology Strand modules in Year 3 Semester 1 include: (1) Cognitive Psychology, and (2) Research Methods for Psychology III (which focuses on survey quantitative research methodology and mixed methods approaches).

In Year 3 Semester 2 of the BA (Hons) in English and Psychology programme, students have one module in the English strand (English and Drama Symposium), one module in the Psychology strand (Psychological Connections for Wellbeing), and a choice of either completing the English Dissertation or the Psychology Research Project.