SW 572 Psychopathology: Advances in psychological theory and advances in differential assessment/diagnosis I

This course introduces students to knowledge of psychosocial, medical, and psychodynamic clinical diagnosis and assessment in the intervention process; knowledge of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC issues in assessment and diagnosis, and ethical considerations when using formal, informal, and standardized instruments; skills in utilizing the vocabulary and decision-making process of the most up to date DSM and the PDM-2, and an overview of standardized assessment instruments and self-report inventories available for use with individuals, couples, and families; knowledge of the major theoretical perspectives (biological, behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic) in assessing psychopathology; skills in conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments; exploration of the impact of cultural diversity on the manifestation and treatment of psychopathology. This course also provides a foundation for later concepts and theories, taught in SW 577 and more in-depth understandings of the impact of psychological trauma on human development, in a variety of contexts, taught in SW electives.