The Psychopathology of Everyday Life (PSYC30014)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Dr Nicholas T. Van Dam
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject covers phenomena such as hallucinations and delusions, anxiety, somatisation, depression, dissociation, and changes in memory and cognition, and places them in the context of everyday experiences. It discusses the various factors, processes and mechanisms thought to lead some people who experience such phenomena to develop full-blown disorders. A theoretical basis for this continuum model is provided and students are encouraged to consider mental health issues from this humanistic perspective in comparison to the traditional categorical model.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will demonstrate the following outcomes:
Knowledge
On completion of this subject students will demonstrate knowledge of:
- two competing theoretical and methodological approaches to psychopathology, including a categorical model of classification and diagnosis, and an alternative approach, which conceptualizes phenomena as lying on continua with 'normal' experience residing on one end of the continuum and psychiatric disorder at the opposing end.
- key cross-cultural considerations in the consideration of psychopathology.
- prominent theoretical models, seminal empirical findings, diagnostic criteria, and non-clinical experiences relating to diverse areas of psychopathology, including but not limited to anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, dissociative and somatoform disorders, and trauma-related disorders.
- theoretical approaches and influential empirical findings pertaining to psychological distress and wellbeing.
- core theoretical models and empirical findings regarding stigma about mental illness.
Skills
On completion of this subject students will demonstrate skills in the following areas:
- critical analysis of major theories and empirical literature in diverse areas of psychopathology.
- argument formation, logical reasoning, sensitive and respectful discussion and debate on various psychopathology topics.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
On completion of this subject students will be able to apply knowledge and skills to:
- communicate an argument, drawing on theory, empirical evidence, and cultural and consumer considerations as they pertain to diverse manifestations of psychopathology.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students will have had the opportunity to develop skills in:
- critical thinking about theoretical and methodological approaches to psychological phenomena.
- argument formation, logical reasoning, and essay writing skills.
- conducting discussion and debate on sensitive topics in a respectful manner.
Last updated: 5 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required for this subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
512324 Introduction to Psychological Disorders
512304 Psychopathology of Everyday Life
Recommended background knowledge
Prior coursework in at least two Level 2 psychology subjects is recommended. Level 2 psychology subjects are: Biological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Personality & Social Psychology
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 5 April 2025
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A written examination.
| Week 4 | 10% |
One piece of written work.
| Mid semester | 40% |
An examination
| During the examination period | 50% |
| Hurdle requirement: Each piece of assessment must be submitted. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: Attendance of at least 80% of the laboratory classes is a hurdle requirement. In case of failure to meet the hurdle requirement, additional work will be required before a passing grade can be awarded. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 5 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Nicholas Van Dam Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Dr Nicholas T. Van Dam
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment for this subject is 170 hours.
Last updated: 5 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Psychology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Psychology Major Psychology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 5 April 2025