PSYC 385 - Science of Mental Illness

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UDB
Explores the psychological science of mental illness. Topics include historical and current perspectives on diagnosis, and research pertaining to causal factors and treatment, including both psychological and pharmacological interventions. Intended to be a psychopathology course for non-majors.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division Areas B1-B3.
Prerequisites: PSYC 100, and completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3, and B4 with C- (CR) or better.
Credit Restrictions: Not for major or minor credit in Psychology. Students cannot receive credit for both PSYC 381 and PSYC 385.

Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UDB - Upper Division Science Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the area of mental illness, using appropriate vocabulary and referencing appropriate concepts and historical figures.
Apply advanced quantitative skills and evaluate scientific claims related to problems of mental illness.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of psychological science and psychological inquiry and the experimental and empirical methodologies used in psychological science.
Apply knowledge of mental illness to contemporary issues.

UD-B. Upper-division Science Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning Learning Outcomes

demonstrate advanced and/or focused science or quantitative content knowledge in a specific scientific field, using appropriate vocabulary and referencing appropriate concepts (such as models, uncertainties, hypotheses, theories, and technologies);
apply advanced quantitative skills (such as statistics, algebraic solutions, interpretation of graphical data) to scientific problems and evaluate scientific claims;
demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and scientific inquiry and the experimental and empirical methodologies used in science to investigate a scientific question or issue; and
apply science content knowledge to contemporary scientific issues (e.g., global warming) and technologies (e.g., cloning), where appropriate.