HPS308 - Psychopathology

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year:

2020 unit information

Important Update:

Classes and seminars in Trimester 3, 2020 will be online. Physical distancing for coronavirus (COVID-19) will affect delivery of other learning experiences in this unit. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates one week prior to the start of trimester.

Last updated: 5 October 2020

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), CBD*, Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Cloud (online)
Trimester 3: CBD*, Cloud (online)

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 3: Eric Koukounas
Trimester 2: Richard Moulding
Prerequisite:

HPS111 and HPS121 and at least one of: HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS205, HPS310

Corequisite:

Nil

Incompatible with: HPS788
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

Scheduled learning activities - campus:

Trimester 2 Burwood (Melbourne) and Waurn Ponds (Geelong): Weekly 1 x 2 hour class; 1 x 2 hour seminar per fortnight; weekly online independent learning activities

Trimester 2 Warrnambool: Online independent and collaborative learning activities including weekly  1 x 2 hour recorded class; 1 x 2 hour seminar per fortnight (face-to-face or via videolink); weekly consultation via the Psychology Hub at Warrnambool

Scheduled learning activities - cloud:

Trimester 2 and Trimester 3: Online independent and collaborative learning activities including weekly 1 x 2 hour recorded class; 1 x 2 hour cloud (online) seminar per fortnight; weekly online components.

Note:

*CBD refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute; Community Based Delivery

Content

The unit has the dual aims of allowing you to learn and explore concepts of mental disorders, and also of understanding your appreciation of the stigma and impact of such disorders on the lives of those affected. In so doing, this unit focuses on providing an introduction to abnormal and clinical psychology from a descriptive, theoretical and experimental perspective. In particular, we will focus on theories of psychology that integrate multiple perspectives - a so-called multidimensional integrative perspective.

Topics covered will include models and theories of abnormal psychology with emphasis on an integrative approach to understanding psychopathology; diagnosis and classification; as well as an examination of the major classes of disorders such as the anxiety, mood, and schizophrenia-related disorders. Where appropriate, there will be a discussion and evaluation of therapeutic interventions and ethical issues pertaining to intervention.

 

These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this Unit
At the completion of this Unit, successful students can:

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Integrate general psychological knowledge, empirical evidence and clinical belief into a multidimensional integrative understanding of the mental disorders. This central learning outcome includes being able to identify putative causes and theoretical explanations as to the development and maintenance of major psychological disorders, including the influence of culture on these factors.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Identify the clinical features of major psychological disorders, including the influence that culture has on these factors. Students also should be able to apply the ability to recognise the most common mental disorders.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO3

Evaluate approaches to treatment for major mental disorders, including being able to interpret research evidence for efficacy, and integrate knowledge of causal factors, theoretical perspectives and cultural considerations when considering potential treatment approaches.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Demonstrate an understanding of the presence of stigma regarding mental illness; recognize its impact on the lives of people with mental disorders.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO6: Self-management
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO5

Compose scientific arguments, reports, or commentaries, based on empirical evidence, in a form that is appropriate for psychology. This includes utilizing online technologies in locating online resources and literature; evaluating relevant cutting-edge empirical literature; identifying and critiquing the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy attitudes and behaviours.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Trimester 2:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Written assignment 1,500 words 35%
  • Week 5
Assessment 2: Written assignment 1,000 words 25%
  • Week 9
Assessment 3: Examination 1.5 hours 40%
  • Examination week

Assessment

Trimester 3:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Written assignment 1,500 words 35%
  • Week 5
Assessment 2: Written assignment 1,000 words 25%
  • Week 7
Assessment 3: Examination 1.5 hours 40%
  • Examination period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HPS308 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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