These sessions will include lectures that will be used to introduce Social psychological theories and methods relating to identities and groups; group work, seminars and research workshops. These will be used to enable hands on experience in the use of questionnaire and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. In addition seminars will allow students to bring to bear their own ideas and examples of identities and groups to the discussion of key papers about issues and dilemmas concerning theories, methods and their application. Research diaries will enable students to tackle research questions, collect data, analyse data, document and reflect on the research process including on ethical issues, and prepare answers to questions for seminar discussions.

This module explores the themes of the changing social theories, methods and politics of studying groups and identities including the different definitions of 'social' with reference to American and European research traditions. This module draws on qualitative and quantitative methodologies in order for students to question the relevance of different methods in various contexts. A crucial part of this is to consider the linkage between different methods and social theory in conceptualising and researching social groups and identities. The content of the module will include discourse and conversation analysis; experimental work on majority and minority influence; interaction in groups; discursive approaches to identity; social cognitive explanations of stereotyping; discrimination and attitudes towards minority groups; group conflict; Social Identity theory; the social psychology of minority groups and social change strategies; the history and politics of collective behaviour; identity politics.

Summative assessment
1) A 1500 word (2000 words if the data is qualitative) research report relating to one of the topics covered in the module (50% weighting) Learning Outcomes 2, 3 & 4
2) A 1000 word critical evaluation of the methods and the theoretical approach employed in the research report, including a comparison with alternative approaches to the same topic (40% weighting) Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 4

Formative learning
Students will be required to make weekly entries in a research diary which will include collecting and analysing data and prepare work in advance of seminar sessions. Seminar discussions relating to diary entries will provide formative feedback relating to the final summative assessment.

Brewer, M.B. Intergroup Relations 2003 Milton Keynes: Open University Press
Ellemers, N., Spears, R., & Doosje, B. (eds.) 1999Social Identity: Context, Commitment, Content Oxford, Blackwell
Langdrige, D. 2004 Research Methods and Data Analysis in Psychology, Harlow, Pearson Education Limited
Stainton Rogers, W. 2003 Social Psychology: Experimental and Critical Approaches, Milton Keynes; OUP,

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