Key facts

UNE unit code: PSYC363

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
  • Trimester 2 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Introducing you to major psychological disorders, this unit offers you an overview of psychopathology, including exploration of the multidimensional impacts psychological disorders may have on affected individuals across the lifespan.

You will gain insights into the development and maintenance of psychological disorders across the lifespan, including biopsychosocial and cultural factors. You will also learn to differentiate and identify symptomology and presentation of the major disorders, along with current evidence-based treatments and interventions for these disorders.

With opportunities throughout to develop your interpersonal and professional skills, this unit will help you to add to your psychology skillset and broaden your perspectives about the underlying causes of different behaviour.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1Online
Trimester 2Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
PSYC200 and PSYC202 and PSYC206 and PSYC213; or for candidates completing the BA (Psych Minor) and BCRIM (Psych minor): PSYC101, PSYC102 and PSYC200; or for GDPSY candidates: 6 cps at 200-level from PSYC200, PSYC202, PSYC206 or PSYC213.
Co-requisites
For GDPSY candidates: 6cps at 200-level from PSYC200, PSYC202, PSYC206 or PSYC213.

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Hamish Love

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of the principal diagnostic categories of psychological disorders that occur at different points across the lifespan and communicate this knowledge effectively to others;
  2. understand of the historical development, philosophical underpinnings and cultural components of our current conceptualisations of psychological disorders;
  3. demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of the impact of different types of psychological dysfunction on the life of an affected individual;
  4. demonstrate an understanding of the aetiology and treatment of psychological disorders from a culturally-sensitive biopsychosocial perspective; and
  5. demonstrate the development of clinically relevant interpersonal skills.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assesment 3 - Written AssignmentYes30%All offerings

No. Words: 2500

Assessment 1 - Mid-Trimester Quiz Yes10%All offerings

100% multiple choice.

Assessment 2 - Skills AssessmentYes10%All offerings

Demonstration of interpersonal skills /oral presentation

No. Words: 1500 (spoken)

Assessment 4 - Final Examination - Assurance TaskYes50%All offerings

60% multiple choice, 40% short answer

There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit.

To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. 

No. Words: 1500

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th Ed)

ISBN: 9781433832161

American Psychological Association. 7th 2020

Note: A hardcover is also available (ISBN: 9781433832154) also a spiral book (ISBN: 9781433832178) Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed). http://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

Text refers to: All offerings

Psychopathology

ISBN: 9781394196722

Kring, A; Fassnacht, D; Matthewson, M; Johnson, L; Kate, M; Morton, E, John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd 2nd. 2025

Note: Also available as an eBook (ISBN: 9781394196739). If you purchase the print text you will also have access to the eBook through bookshelf.vitalsource.com.

Text refers to: All offerings

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