HPS308 - Psychopathology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Community Based Delivery (CBD)*, Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Trimester 3: Online

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: David Hallford
Trimester 3: Yoon Hee Yang
Prerequisite:

One of HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS301, HPS307, 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.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per fortnight
1 x 1 hour drop-in session per week
1 x 2 hour masterclass at mid and end of trimester.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

1 x 2 hour online seminar per fortnight
1 x 1 hour drop-in session per week
1 x 2 hour masterclass at mid and end of trimester.

Note:

*National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute students only.

Content

The unit will explore mental disorders, with an introduction to abnormal and clinical psychology from a descriptive, theoretical and experimental perspective. In particular, students will focus on theories of psychology that integrate multiple perspectives. 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.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Describe and integrate psychological knowledge, empirical evidence, and clinical belief in multidimensional understandings of mental disorders. This includes the influence of culture and, in particular, Australian Indigenous cultures. Apply this understanding to individual cases to analyse causes and explanations of the development and maintenance of major psychological disorders.

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

ULO2

List and describe the clinical features of major psychological disorders, including the influence culture has on these features (including Australian Indigenous cultures). Apply this knowledge of clinical features to individual cases and correctly classify major psychological disorders.

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

ULO3

Describe treatment approaches for major psychological disorders. Analyse the research evidence for their efficacy. Hypothesise how successful treatments may be for an individual based on integrating and applying your knowledge of this research evidence, causal factors, theoretical perspectives, and cultural considerations.

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

ULO4

Evaluate empirical literature and describe limitations in the current state of scientific evidence in psychopathology. Produce scientifically-based recommendations that show the strengths and weaknesses of this evidence.

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

Assessment

Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Quiz Multiple choice questions 20%
  • Week 5
Assessment 2: Written assignment 1500 words 40%
  • Week 9
Assessment 3: End-of-unit assessment 2 hours 40%
  • End-of-unit assessment 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

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

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