Clinical Psychology

Summary module description:
PY1CL Clinical Psychology

Aims:
The aims of the module are that students should further their understanding of psychological disorders and disabilities, their classification, assessment and underlying processes.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the student will be able to:

- Demonstrate their understanding of a range of clinical disorders, their diagnosis, causes and treatment;
- Show knowledge of theory and research in aspects of clinical psychology, in the form of written examination answers and answers to multiple-choice questions.

Additional outcomes:
Students will be able to establish the extent to which their view of clinical psychology (as a potential career choice, for example) matches current thinking about diagnosis and treatment of clinical disorders.
The module also provides the option to submit an essay on a clinical topic, and to receive feedback on the student's level of performance prior to exams.

Outline content:
The module provides an introduction to adult psychological disorders. Topics might include: Classification and diagnosis; Aetiology and processes involved in anxiety disorders, depression, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder; Approaches to treatment.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module is taught via 10 50-minute lectures, each followed by a further 50-minute online discussion forum, and supported by optional tutorial classes and recommended reading. There will be two Study Support and Feedback sessions to help students prepare for the final exam.

Teaching methods include the following:
(a) Lectures on clinical psychology, including cases of specific disorders
(b) Online discussion forum following lectures
(c) Recommended reading on clinical psychology
(d) Optional tutorial discussion groups
(e) Optional essay for feedback
(f) Revision lecture in summer term

Summative Assessment Methods:
Written exam 100%

Other information on summative assessment:
This module is examined by a 1.5-hour written Summer Exam. The exam requires students to answer a set of multiple choice questions requiring knowledge of every lecture on the module, and to write one essay on topics covered in the module.

Formative assessment methods:
This module provides students with the opportunity to sign up to a tutorial group, at which students are able to discuss the material covered in lectures in relation to a specific essay question. Students are invited to write an essay on the topic, which tutors provide formative feedback for. The purpose of these tutorials is to encourage students to read widely and engage with lecture material; to practise writing essays on the lecture topics; and to provide students with feedback on their performance during the first term of their studies.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the 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.

Length of examination:
1.5 hours

Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall