THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Health in Social Science : School of Health in Social Science

Undergraduate Course: Psychological Perspectives on Health and Care (SHSS10005)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Health in Social Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis is a compulsory course for students in the third year of the MA Health, Science and Society. Building on the teaching in the first and second year, this course seeks to support students to develop a critical understanding of the theories and practice of health and mental health from a psychological perspective. The structure will follow the natural life span of individuals, through childhood, adolescence, adulthood to older adulthood, illustrating key psychological concepts and theories and their application on health and care.
Course description This course aims to support students to develop a critical understanding of physical and mental health and care from a psychological perspective. Drawing upon the research and teaching expertise of the Section of Clinical Psychology within the School of Health in Social Science, students will develop a knowledge base of the key psychological concepts and theories in relation to aspects of health. Students will learn to link theories with practice and develop a critical reflection on how theories can inform evidence-based practice in health and care. The course structure will follow the natural life span, from childhood, adolescence, adulthood to older adulthood. In the context of this developmental framework, psychological theories and psychotherapies related to common mental health problems, including eating disorders, psychosis, and dementia will be covered. Students will learn about trauma-informed practice and the interplay between physical and mental health.

Contents & Structure:

This course will consist of 10 one-hour interactive teaching sessions, and 10 one-hour tutorials with student-led activities and group work.

The first lecture provides an introductory session with an overview of the course structure, learning outcomes, and assessment requirement. The following teaching sessions will cover a range of topics including: early life experiences, eating disorders and body image, adolescent psychopathology, severe mental health problems and psychological treatments in adults, dementia and supporting people with long term physical health conditions.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have studied on at least 2 University / College level social science courses (such as Health Studies, Sociology, Politics, Social Policy, Social Anthropology, Psychology, etc) and achieved a B grade or above.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  0
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 10, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 1500 word article (40%)
2500 word essay (60%)
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Students will develop a critical understanding of the principal psychological theories and concepts in the context of mental health.
  2. Reflect on how psychological theories and concepts can be applied to the social care and health context.
  3. Students will develop a critical awareness of how health and mental health needs and care change across the life span.
Reading List
Carr, D. (2006). The Handbook of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology: A Contextual Approach (3rd Edition). London: Routledge.

Sroufe, L., & Carlson, E. (1999). Implications of attachment theory for developmental psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 11, 1¿13.

Patel, V., Flisher, A. J., Hetrick, S. and McGorry, P. (2007). Mental health of young people: A global public-health challenge. Lancet, 379, 1302-1313.

The British Psychological Society (2014) edited by A. Cook. Understanding psychosis and schizophrenia https://www.bps.org.uk/system/files/user-files/Division%20of%20Clinical%20Psychology/public/understanding_psychosis_-_final_19th_nov_2014.pdf

Woods, R. & Clare, L. (2008). Chapter 31: Psychological Interventions with people with dementia, part five, intervention. In Handbook of the Clinical Psychology of Ageing, second edition. London: Wiley-Blackwell.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsPsychology,Health,Mental Health
Contacts
Course organiserDr Fay Huntley
Tel:
Email: fay.huntley@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Cecilia Malmberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 3890
Email: cecilia.malmberg@ed.ac.uk
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