PY1DMH-Debates in Mental Health

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Dan Jones
Email: d.jones6@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

An introduction to the field of clinical psychology, with an emphasis on current topics of debate. This module provides students with knowledge of common mental health disorders, approaches to psychopathology and evidence-based interventions. Students will learn about critical thinking, developing arguments and debating, and will use these skills to evaluate historical, contemporary and global views of mental health, and the ethics of treatment for psychological disorders in western and non-western societies. This module is delivered at University of Reading and University of Reading Malaysia.

Aims:

This interactive module will introduce students to key current and historical issues in Clinical Psychology. The aims of the module are that students should develop their understanding of psychological disorders, their assessment and current evidence-based interventions. Topics to be debated will be introduced in lectures, and teams of students will then prepare and present debates on these topics the following week. Students will also acquire the skills of critically summarising the information presented.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of a range of clinical disorders, their diagnosis, causes and treatment


• Evaluate topics in clinical psychology using empirical evidence in relation to key theories


• Present and debate key arguments of the existing contemporary, historical and global issues in the field of clinical psychology


• Critically summarise arguments presented by other students

Additional outcomes:

Students will be able to engage with and debate on positions presented by others, in a forum that encourages expression of individual viewpoints. The module therefore provides students with an opportunity to discuss a diverse range of perspectives in a professional and respectful manner.

The module will also develop core skills of listening and written and oral communication, as well as process skills of teamwork, problem-solving, ethical sensitivity, and empathy.

Outline content:

The module provides an introduction to topics in clinical psychology and psychological disorders. Topics might include: classification and diagnosis; models of psychopathology; aetiology and processes involved in anxiety, depression, and eating disorders; approaches to treatment.

The structure of the module enables students to engage with a number of conceptual, historical, global and philosophical issues relevant to clinical psychology and as a forum for debunking common myths about psychology. Topics to be debated might include the following:

• Does psychotropic medication for depression only treat the symptom not the cause?


• Is there a place for psychoanalysis in modern mental health services?


• Do criminals need psychological treatment?


• Are evidence-based treatments developed in western societies appropriate for delivery world-wide?

Lectures will be su pported with timetabled workshops where a current topic in clinical psychology will be debated. Students will alternate between audience members and members of the debating teams.

Global context:

This module will discuss the appropriateness of using western approaches of identification and intervention of mental health difficulties in non-western societies. The module may draw on global case studies, or speakers with experience of working in mental health globally.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module is taught via 10 lectures and 6 workshops, and will be supported by recommended reading.

Teaching methods include the following:

• Lectures on topics in clinical psychology, and skills in critical thinking and debating


• Workshops on skill development, class debates and student presentations


• Recommended reading on topics relating to clinical psychology


• Preparation of critical summaries of debates

Contact Hours:

NB The contact hours in the table below are indicative of the contact hours for students studying this module in the UK, and may vary for students taking this module at branch campuses.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Practicals classes and workshops		12
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		30
Wider reading (directed)		40
Preparation for presentations		40
Completion of formative assessment tasks		20
Group study tasks		8
Essay preparation		30
Total hours by term	0		0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	75
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed via 100% coursework

Students will be required to present in one class debate (25%) and submit a 1,500 word critical summary (75%) of one out of two debates at which they are not presenting. 

 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will take part in one practice class debate which will involve students presenting and receiving feedback on their own performance. They will also be required to provide feedback to their peers.

Students will have the option to submit a critical summary essay plan for the practice debates that they observe, for feedback on structure and content.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment is by re-submission of coursework in the August resit period

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2021