Questionnaire

Q) Age?

A) Ouch, are you supposed to ask that? 41!!

Q) Sex?

A) Female, and yes as often as possible! Despite my age!!!

Q) What is your degree subject (both if joint)?

A) Psychology

Q) Does ‘Being Bad’ relate well to the other modules you are taking?

A) Not so much this year as it is mainly statistics, but I think it fits in with psychology in general as it teaches you about ethics, making judgements about people and critically questioning our pre-formed prejudices.

Q) Have you found ‘Being Bad’ too demanding, too easy, or at an appropriate level?

A) At an appropriate level

Q) Do you think the list of topics covered on the module was appropriate?

A) Yes, I think we have had an interesting array of topics that have really made me think.

Q) Are there any topics not included in the module that you would like to see included?

A) I would have liked at least one lecture on mass murder or similar, as I am fascinated to know what happens to make a person kill and this could fit in with psychology and personality formation.

Q) Do you think that the format for classes has worked well?

A) I think having different speakers for different lectures has kept it interesting and fresh but I haven’t liked having so many in such an unsuitable room because it has been noisy and chaotic at times. It doesn’t lend itself well to group discussion as you can’t hear people’s comments and I think it would have improved the lectures if small groups were round tables debating different sides to each lecture.

Q) What did you think of the module team?

A) The module team seem friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and informative but I have felt that some struggle to keep such a large and noisy class under control, which unfortunately has spoilt it for me at times. I think stricter rules need to be imposed on issues such as talking, mobile phones and walking in and out of lectures. Well, you did ask.

Q) Do you think it would have been better to have had more Small group discussions?

A) Personally, I would have enjoyed more small group discussions, I think it would have generated different ideas and opinions around each topic and this would have helped to expand knowledge of the topic for the blogs.

Q) Discussion and debate among the class as a whole?

A) The discussion and debate would be fine if the class was smaller or we were in a more suitable room, unfortunately it was often difficult to hear all sides of the discussion because of the size of the room and the noise levels.

Q) Information and talk from lecturers?

A) Information given out at lectures was more than adequate I felt, and I have enjoyed researching those topics of interest further.

Q) The approach taken in the module is interdisciplinary (drawing on perspectives from English Literature, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies and Politics): do you think this a useful way of approaching the topics covered in the module?

A) Well, I think it has worked and allowed me to gain insight and perspectives from subjects I wouldn’t otherwise look at (I became particularly drawn to religious studies during the module) I think you could incorporate some psychology too!!

Q) Do you think that interdisciplinary modules are a good idea?

A) Yes, I think it can be too easy to stay within the safety of one’s own subject but university is about broadening horizons. By making it interdisciplinary it gives students knowledge of other subjects and also helps to integrate and synthesise knowledge from different schools of thought. This creates wider perspectives about important issues.

Q) Do you think you have benefited from the interdisciplinary approach taken in the module?

A) Definitely.


Q) Would you like to see more modules that cover this kind of subject matter?

A) Yes, I think it is good to open up difficult topics for debate. It gives new perspective to things and allows you to consider other people’s ideas and viewpoints that you may not have been open to or aware of before.

Q) Are you planning to take the follow-up module PH2004 ‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’ at level 2?

A) I would like to but have to study all core modules in year two.

Q) Would you recommend ‘Being Bad’ to a friend?

A) Yes, I think it has been very interesting. I know some people have moaned about the relevance of topics but I think as long as you get that it’s about taking a critical look at topics and exploring with an open mind, what they mean in light of the differing perspectives you are introduced to, then it will interest you.

Q) Do you think that the blogs (web logs) were a good idea?

A) Personally, I have really enjoyed creating and maintaining my blog, it has been like a weekly diary and I shall continue with one after the module has finished. It is a great way of exchanging ideas, having a personal space, reflecting on learning and getting things off your chest. The only disappointment has been that not many others have really got into it, which means there has been few interesting exchanges, but apart from that it is good.

Q) What did you think of the other assessments (e.g. would it be better to have one longer assessment rather than two shorter ones?)?

A) Originally, I would have preferred a longer essay, but that was more about trying to avoid doing the creative writing piece! Having forced myself to do that one first out of sheer fright, I found I really enjoyed the escape from formal report writing to more creative writing. So, now I would say no; having a variety of smaller pieces not only teaches you a valuable lesson in being concise, but also takes you out of your comfort zone and introduces you to other formats. It allows more experimentation.

Q) What have you learned from the module?

A) I hope I have learnt not to judge something too hastily but to explore something in more depth before making a judgement. I have learned to respect different ideas and opinions more and I have learnt to question things more; not to automatically think something is bad just because that is the consensus, but to really question whether I find it bad or not. It has hopefully taught me to think for myself more and not take everything at face value-something I was very guilty of before.

Q) What parts of the module have you found most useful and why?

A) I have found it all useful to a degree, even topics that I wasn’t particularly interested in before; I have found it useful to gain more knowledge about them. I think on a personal level I found the religion one most useful because I was bought up as a strict catholic and had to go to church all the while. When I was a teenager I rebelled and hated the control, so I gave up going to church and had nothing to do with the topic. I wasn’t even going to attend the lecture on religion my aversion was so strong, but revisiting the topic made me reflect on my ideas. This has made me see that I miss some aspects of religion and that I do have strong beliefs but that I don’t need to belong to a church etc. to have those beliefs. It has made me more balanced in my view of religion and allowed me to evaluate my own beliefs and ideas in a more mature way.

Q) What parts do you think were a waste of time and why?

A) I don’t think any of it was a waste of time; everything we do creates a learning opportunity; even if we only learn we didn’t like it. I think all the topics were interesting and different people will have been drawn to different topics. I took what I wanted from each lecture, some I reflected on briefly others caught my imagination and I researched in more depth. I don’t consider any of it a waste because I took what I needed and made the most of it.

Q) Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding ‘Being Bad’?

A) I have truly enjoyed it. Each lecture has been interesting and each member of staff has shown a real interest and passion for the subject; which for me makes it more interesting.

Bad Comedians

This week's lecture was on bad comedians and was very entertaining. It was interesting to find out that jokes can't be racist as they don't make a statement of fact, they are by their very nature a joke. I had never thought of it like that. I have always really disliked Bernard Manning for what i percieved as his racist jokes, although i must admit i do still find his material largely offensive. However, looking at some of the theories on comedy and the useful purposes they serve; such as raising taboos for discussion etc. I will think differently.

I agree with Incongruity theory, i think sometimes i laugh at a joke because of that sudden shock when you hear the punchline and realise the contrast in material...that is what makes it funny and i'd never noticed that before.

Superiority Theory also raised some interesting points and i agree that as humans we like to use humour to put others down and gain that sense of superiority. When we can laugh at someone else's misfortune it makes us feel better. Though sometimes it also makes us feel better if we can laugh at our own misfortune as well; serving as a coping mechanism.

I very much agree with relief theory also. Humour serves as a defence and in my work as a counsellor i encounter it all the time. Clients will often make jokes about the difficulties in their lives; it serves as a way of coping and of broaching difficult subject material. In fact i would say it is almost essential for some people's survival; when they can no longer laugh at life, it's the time to worry. Freud spoke a lot of truth!!