HPS914 - Studies in Psychopathology

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2022 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]
Year:

2022 unit information

Important Update:

Unit delivery will be in line with the most current COVIDSafe health guidelines. We continue to tailor learning experiences for each unit to achieve the best possible mix of online and on-campus activities that successfully blend our approaches to learning, working and research. Please check your unit sites for announcements and updates.

Last updated: 4 March 2022

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Megan Turner
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:

Nil

Incompatible with:

HPS714

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:

1 x 3 hour seminar per week
1 x 1 hour pre-recorded lecture per week

Content

This unit will encourage the integration of relevant physiological, psychological, family, social and cultural factors so as to form a broad biopsychosocial perspective to understanding psychopathology. Within this multidimensional integrative perspective, there will be an initial examination of the history of psychopathology, and issues related to classification and diagnosis, with a particular emphasis on a critical evaluation of DSM-5 and ICD-10 as diagnostic tools. A range of specific disorders will be considered, using a lifespan approach to psychopathology. Current etiological theories and conceptual models for each disorder will be considered through a critical examination of relevant research, along with overlap among the symptoms for the different disorders, and the use of differential diagnosis.

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

ULO1

Critically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and historical development of the major diagnostic systems and their diagnostic criteria.

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

ULO2

Develop and apply a multidimensional integrated model of psychopathology to the major mental health disorders.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO3

For both common (e.g., adjustment, anxiety and depressive disorders) and severe (e.g., personality disorders, bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders) psychological disorders compare and contrast
a) diagnostic features
b) putative causes and models of aetiology
c) cultural, age, and gender features, 
d) prevalence, course, and familial pattern.

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

ULO4

Competently consider cultural features in their use of the DSM and ICD and in their diagnostic formulations through use of the DSM-5's cultural formulation interview across all the major psychological disorders considered.

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

ULO5

Competently apply diagnostic interviewing skills and knowledge of the clinical features and causes of specific mental health disorders in order to formulate diagnoses.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO6

Competently demonstrate the ability to integrate and succinctly present and defend information and diagnostic conclusions derived from a diagnostic and clinical interview.

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

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Mental State Examination (MSE)-Oral and written report

Written MSE no more than 500 words

Oral MSE

Pass/Fail
  • Week 4
Assessment 2: Diagnostic Case Formulation 1000 words Pass/Fail
  • Week 7
Assessment 3: Objectively Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) 1 hour Pass/Fail
  • Examination period

This unit is Pass Grade only. All assessments must be passed in order for the unit to be passed.

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.

Hurdle requirement

This unit is Pass Grade only. All assessments must be passed in order for the unit to be passed.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HPS914 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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