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PSYC20060 - Psychopathology and Formulation II

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit is the second of two units which focus on mental disorders across the lifespan and case formulation. In this unit you will explore mental disorders most prevalent in adulthood. A problem-based learning approach will be used, providing you with the opportunity to engage in self-reflective practice and synthesise your knowledge and application of mental disorder classification, diagnosis, and case formulation. The study of mental disorders will involve exploration of genetic, biological, psychological, and social factors. The role of these factors will be considered in the development of mental disorders and possible intervention pathways. You will employ professional communication skills in a socially and culturally responsive manner to develop and present your case formulations.

Details

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 9
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 4
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites Students must be enrolled in CL68 Master of Professional Psychology

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 3 - 2018

Term 2 - 2019 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2020 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2021 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2022 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Presentation 40%
2. Reflective Practice Assignment 20%
3. Examination 40%

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%).

Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2023 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 80.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 78.95% response rate.

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Source: Unit evaluation responses
Feedback
Students commented that they would like more balance between lecture, class discussions (including real-life clinical cases), and in-class presentation time.
Recommendation
From 2023, class time will be increased from 2 hours to 3 hours per week, as part of the new co-teaching arrangements between the Master of Clinical Psychology (CG17) and Master of Professional Psychology (CL68) courses. The teaching team will review class delivery to allow for more balance between lecture and presentation (clinical case discussion) components, including drawing on more clinical case examples.
Action Taken
The class time increased to 3 hours in 2023. The structure for the lecture contained 1 hour of presentations, 1 hour of lectures, and 1 hour of class discussions.
Source: SUTE unit comments
Feedback
Students commented that Term 2 (adult psychopathology) was a repeat of Term 1 (child psychopathology) assessments (i.e. presentations and handouts).
Recommendation
From 2023, rather than separating psychopathology by child and adult disorders, the new co-teaching arrangements between the Master of Clinical Psychology (CG17) and Master of Professional Psychology (CL68) courses will reflect a more integrated approach. This more fluid approach rather than child vs. adult psychopathology is more consistent with contemporary conceptualisations of psychological disorders (e.g., DSM-5). This will allow greater integration between theory and clinical presentation and ensure that assessment extends learning in both units.
Action Taken
As a result of the new co-teaching arrangements between the Master of Clinical Psychology (CG17) and Master of Professional Psychology (CL68) courses, Term 2 content build upon the previous term to reflect a more fluid approach to diagnosis.
Source: SUTE unit comments
Feedback
Students commented that it would have been helpful to have more readings on each topic and to have them made available the weekend before class.
Recommendation
The teaching team will make readings available at the start of term and increase extra reading materials, where possible.
Action Taken
All readings and resources were made available in week 1 of Term 2
Source: Student verbal feedback and SUTE unit comments
Feedback
Students felt certain questions on the quiz could be stated in a clearer manner to avoid confusion.
Recommendation
The questions and content of the quiz will be reviewed to improve the quality of this assessment for Term 2, 2024.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: SUTE Unit comments
Feedback
Students felt the structure with 1 hour blocks of presentations, lectures, and group work contributed to greater satisfaction and good outcomes on assessment tasks.
Recommendation
The structure of lectures will be maintained in 2024.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of mental disorder diagnostic criteria related to mental health issues experienced in adulthood
  2. Apply relevant theoretical frameworks to case formulation for mental health disorders experienced during adulthood
  3. Employ professional communication skills in a socially and culturally responsive manner.

Learning outcomes are drawn from core competencies stated by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsychBA), program of study criteria as stated by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and specifications for study at level 9 as indicated by the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Presentation
2 - Reflective Practice Assignment
3 - Examination
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Advanced Level
Professional Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Advanced Level
Professional Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Presentation
2 - Reflective Practice Assignment
3 - Examination