University of Sussex

This course links theories of wellbeing to spiritual practices, providing a space to consider how we envisage and experience spirituality in a society often described as secular. It considers how spirituality is associated with health and wellbeing in contemporary societies. For example, in the growth of mindfulness practices in a range of health, social care, and educational settings. It discusses "belief" in wellbeing (and ‘non-belief’ as part of this), considering differences between a religious and spiritual perspective, while treating people’s beliefs with care and respect. Students examine evidence for the effectiveness of spiritual practices, such as meditation and prayer, for wellbeing. The course further reflects on the ways individuals and communities use practices that have emerged from a spiritual foundation, such as mindfulness, martial arts, chanting, yoga, and shamanic work.

This course examines contemporary policing. It focuses on policing in the UK, but takes a global perspective on its themes, and it examines some of the key areas covered by policing scholars including the significance of police culture, the police mandate and police powers, police discrimination and violence, police legitimacy and police accountability and control. The course focuses on different types of approaches, contexts and situations, such as those relating to counter-terrorism, diverse communities, gender, race and class. It pays careful attention to the rapid transformations in policing occurring at present, and has a particular focus on private policing and the impact of advanced digital technologies on police work and practice.

This course introduces students to a variety of ways where psychological knowledge is applied to everyday problems. Topics covered include understanding mental health problems and how they can be treated, how psychology can be used to influence health and well-being, the role of psychology in the workplace, and the relevance of psychology to educational practice, including understanding why ‘bullying’ occurs and how we can prevent it. Students learn about the research and theories that support these applications of psychology to everyday problems, and be introduced to the areas of professional applied psychology that underpin them.