HPS308 - Psychopathology
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Community Based Delivery (CBD)*, Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Yoon Hee Yang Trimester 3: Yoon Hee Yang |
| Prerequisite: | One of HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS301, HPS307, HPS310 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | HPS788 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per fortnight |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2 hour online seminar per fortnight |
| 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. |
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.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Assessment
| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Quiz | Multiple choice questions | 20% |
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| Assessment 2: Written assignment | 1200 words | 40% |
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| Assessment 3: End-of-unit assessment | 2 hours | 40% |
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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 HPS308 can be found via the University Library.
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.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.