PY3DPA-The Developmental Psychopathology of Anxiety

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PY2RM Research Methods and Data Analysis
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Helen Dodd

Email: h.f.dodd@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

PY3DPA: The Developmental Psychopathology of Anxiety Disorders 

Aims:
The aims of this module are: to provide students with the opportunity for in depth study of the development of anxiety disorders; to raise students' awareness of current research in this field, including the research being conducted in the department; to encourage students to critically evaluate research and theoretical perspectives within the developmental psychopathology literature; to motivate students to explore the literature independently; to nurture generic graduate skills including confident communication and teamwork.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student will be able to:

- critically analyse research on vulnerability factors for anxiety disorders

- appraise developmental psychopathological models of anxiety disorders

- debate the evidence for and against the role of family environment in affecting children’s risk for anxiety 

Additional outcomes:

Students’ skills in critical evaluation, confident communication and teamwork will be developed through participation in evaluative discussions of research and theory in large and small groups. The module additionally provides an opportunity for students to improve their written communication skills through a poster presentation. 

Outline content:

The module comprises  7 2-hour seminars. 

In this module we concentrate on the development of anxiety disorders. The first session will provide the context for the rest of the module by introducing anxiety disorders and the developmental psychopathology framework. The value of this approach and the importance of examining developmental pathways to anxiety disorders will be considered. 

The following sessions will focus on specific risk factors for the development of anxiety, including genetics, family environment, child temperament and information processing. In the final session we will bring these ideas together and take a critical look at early intervention and prevention options. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course will include a variety of teaching and learning methods. The seminars will include lectures, interactive discussions and student presentations. Core reading will be assigned for each session and students will be expected to use this to motivate and guide their own further reading of the literature. Students will be encouraged to interact with each other via the discussion board on Blackboard, sharing thoughts, ideas and useful readings. During the course of the module, students will each produce a poster describing and evaluating research relevant to the module. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		14	1
Guided independent study:		85
Total hours by term		99	1
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Written assignment including essay	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:
1.5 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed through coursework (25%) and a final exam (75%). 

The 1.5-hour Summer Exam will require students to answer 1 essay question on topics covered in the module.

Coursework will comprise a poster describing and evaluating research relevant to the module.

Formative assessment methods:

Students have the opportunity to provide the module convenor with up to two essay plans for comment and feedback in preparation for the exam. 

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of at least 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Resit examination in August/September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019