Psychopathology Across the Life Span
Course Overview: This is an introductory course to developmental and adult psychopathology. This course will introduce the key concepts, terminology, and principles of developmental and adult psychopathology and commonly used research methods in studying mental health problems across the life span. The discussion of concepts and methods will guide our discussions of major mental health problems: 1) early childhood (trauma and stress-related disorders, autism); 2) middle childhood (attention and conduct problems); 3) adolescence (substance use problems, eating disorders); 4) adulthood (mood disorders, schizophrenia). Topics on stigma and race/ethnicity/culture and mental illness will also be discussed.
Topics
- Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the basic terminology, principles, and research methods of developmental and adult psychopathology. Students are expected to demonstrate basic knowledge of the major disorders, dysfunctions, and conditions of child and adult psychopathology, and possible etiologies and developmental courses. Students are expected to demonstrate awareness and knowledge of how social and cultural contexts, race and ethnicity, gender, and other diversity factors influence the etiology and manifestation of psychopathology. Students are encouraged to apply knowledge gained from class to understand clinical cases or problems in the real-world.
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027