Course Title: Psychopathology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Psychopathology

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BESC1210	Bundoora Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006
BESC1211	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006
BESC1212	City Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006
BESC1373	City Campus	Postgraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Dr Sophia Xenos

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99251081

Course Coordinator Email: sophia.xenos@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

BESC 1178 Cognitive Psychology
BESC 1182 Developmental Psychology
BESC 1186 Social Psychology
BESC 1190 Biological Psychology

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the study of abnormal psychology. The concept of abnormality will be examined from both historical and current perspectives, and issues related to the classification of psychological disorders will be explored. The descriptive taxonomy of DSM-IV will be introduced and the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of selected child, adolescent and adult disorders will be examined. Disorders will include the anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia. Specific emotional and/or behavioural disorders of childhood and/or adolescence will be selected and reviewed. Legal and ethical issues relevant to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behaviour will be considered.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Students will be expected to be able to:
1. Demonstrate an awareness of the concepts of normality, abnormality, and mental illness and the methodologies used to study, describe, and treat psychopathology.
2. Describe the limitations and advantages of diagnostic and classification systems.
3. Review the aetiology, assessment, and treatment of selected child, adolescent, and adult emotional, social, and behavioural disorders.
4. Demonstrate an awareness of legal and ethical issues in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behaviour.

Overview of Learning Activities

Lectures - Students in lectures acquire a framework of relevant knowledge and an understanding of underlying theoretical/conceptual material.
Tutorial exercises – Students completing tutorial exercises engage in a critical analysis of relevant knowledge and underlying theoretical/conceptual material. Students develop responsibility for a synthesis of knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to their field of interest. Students also develop group and individual problem solving skills.
Field/Laboratory research - Students completing field/laboratory research apply conceptual material to field settings, will develop critical thinking skills in research methods, develop skills to evaluate interventions, and develop skills in effective communication of research findings to relevant academic/community representatives.
Speakers from special interest groups - The opportunity to hear and discuss material with speakers from special interest groups, allow students to apply theory to practice, evaluate both community based programmes and psychological interventions in the community, and develop skills in communication with members of the community.

Overview of Learning Resources

Barlow, D.H., & Durand, V.M. (2005). Abnormal psychology (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Overview of Assessment

One two hour examination
One Essay
One Laboratory report
Tutorial participation