Child Psychopathology

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the rapidly expanding field of child psychopathology. This will be an introductory module surveying the various childhood disorders as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). An integrative perspective, acknowledging biological, psychological, social, and emotional influences and their interdependence, will be explored to explain the causes and effects of the presented childhood disorders. In addition, developmental processes that shape and are shaped by the expression of each disorder will be considered, within the context of family, peers, school, community, culture and society. Current approaches to treatment and prevention will also be briefly highlighted.