PSY8065 Adult Psychopathology

Contents

• Staffing
• Requisites
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

REQUISITES

RATIONALE

A first skill required by the clinician dealing with adult clients is identification and diagnosis of various psychopathologies to which they are vulnerable. This course aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of such issues.

SYNOPSIS

This course aims to support a problem-solving approach to understanding of common psychological disorders, notably diagnosis but also aetiology, maintaining mechanisms, and broad frameworks of intervention.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate:

1. critical awareness of past and current notions of psychological disorders (Assignment, viva - exam) ;
2. proficiency in deciding DSM-IV-TR diagnoses (Assignment, viva - exam);
3. proficiency in developing theory-based conceptualizations of psychological disorders (Assignment, viva - exam);
4. understanding of connections between models of aetiology and maintenance of, and modes of intervention in, specific psychological disorders (Assignment, viva - exam).

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

American Psychiatric Association 2000, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), 4th edn, Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association.

Hersen, M., Turner, S. M., Beidel, D. C. 2007, Adult psychopathology and diagnosis, 5th edn, J Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Anxiety Panic Hub (Available: www.panicattacks.com.au/selfhelp/begin03.html).

Barlow, DH & Durand, VM 2005, Abnormal psychology: an integrative approach, 4th edn, Thomson Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.

Endler, NS 1990, Holiday of darkness: a psychologist's journey out of depression, rev edn., Wiley, NY.

Hersen, M & Turner, SM (eds) 2007, Adult psychopathology and diagnosis, 5th edn, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ.

Lachenmeyer, N 2002, The outsider: a journey through my father's struggle with madness., Hill of Content Publishing, Melbourne.

McLean, RW 2003, Recovered not cured: a journey through schizophrenia, Allen and Unwin, Sydney.
(see also www.richiemclean.com/new/writing.html)

Van Os, J & McKenna, P 2003, Does schizophrenia exist? Paper No. 12, Institute of Psychiatry, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Due date to be advised by examiner. This written essay will critically examine contemporary definition/diagnosis of a specific DSM-IV-TR disorder as well as development of such conceptualizations, critical review of pertinent research, theories of aetiology, and summary of suggested psychological interventions.

2.

Student will interview a student simulating a particular disorder. The student will have 10 minutes to make a diagnostic formulation to the examiner immediately following the video.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to participate actively in all scheduled workshops and Web-based activities and to study all course materials, so as to be informed of all course academic and administrative activities and policies, and to maximise his/her chance of meeting the objectives of the course.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 70% of the total marks. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grade will be determined by the addition of the marks obtained on each assignment and the examination (in-class test), weighted as indicated in the Assessment Details.
6. Examination information:
   Candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instructions into the viva (held as an in-class closed test).
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Not applicable.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 27 May 2008.