Cph 4241 Psychopathology And Mental Health

CPH 4241: Psychopathology and Mental Health

Course Description:

This course serves as an introduction to a wide range of mental health topics beginning with definitions of normality and abnormality with respect to human behavior, and including the concepts of stigma and othering. The social and genetic bases for major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression are also explored in depth. Students explore definitions of mental illness and how the existence of certain disorders remains a source of debate. Various perspectives and treatments are included such as Freudian/psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioral and psychopharmacology; mental health as a neglected global public health issue will also be covered with an emphasis on application of concepts to real-world challenges at the individual, community and population levels.

Required Textbook and Materials:

The main required textbooks for this course are listed below and can be readily accessed using the provided links. There may be additional required/recommended readings, supplemental materials, or other resources and websites necessary for lessons; these will be provided for you in the course’s General Information and Forums area, and throughout the term via the weekly course Unit areas and the Learning Guides.

This course does not contain a main textbook; resources to all required reading will be provided in the course Learning Guide for each week.
Some of the materials required for this course can be found in this archive.
Software Requirements/Installation: No special requirements.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Examine the historical context and treatment of mental health disorders.
2. Identify and differentiate the classification of psychological disorders.
3. Analyze how stigma, discrimination, and prejudice affect mental health classification and treatment.
4. Evaluate treatment approaches for different disorders.

Course Schedule and Topics:

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9.

Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Psychopathology and Mental Health

Week 2: Unit 2 – Classifying and Treating Mental Illness

Week 3: Unit 3 – Anxiety & Related Disorders

Week 4: Unit 4 – Somatoform & Related Disorders

Week 5: Unit 5 – Mood Disorders

Week 6: Unit 6 – Eating & Sleeping Disorders

Week 7: Unit 7 – Schizophrenia & Dissociative Disorders

Week 8: Unit 8 – Personality Disorders

Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam