PY1DMH: Debates in Mental Health

Module code: PY1DMH

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Beth Law, email: b.d.law@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 29 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

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 writing an essay on the topic of clinical psychology.

The Module Lead at the University of Reading Malaysia is Jasmine Lee (jasminekarwye.lee@reading.edu.my).

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate knowledge of a range of clinical disorders, their diagnosis, causes and treatment 
2. Evaluate topics in clinical psychology using empirical evidence in relation to key theories 
3. Present and debate key arguments of the existing contemporary, historical and global issues in the field of clinical psychology 

Module 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 supported 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. 

Structure

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 essay assignment

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will take part in one practice class debate which will involve students presenting and receiving feedback on their own performance. 

Reassessment

Additional costs