Introduction to Psychopathology

BSPY230 - Introduction to Psychopathology

Credits: 3

This course focuses on issue of behavioral health and psychopathology. Students will examine and critically analyze the cultural construction of mental health and mental illness, the history of psychiatric diagnosis, and the major historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives regarding etiology, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and co-occurring disorders. Students will be introduced to the current North American system of psychiatric classification and nomenclature, as illustrated in the most current edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Students will explore ethical and legal issues in the treatment of psychopathology, with an emphasis on current behavioral health legislation and advocacy efforts. This course counts as a general education social science elective.