This course serves as an introduction to a wide range of mental health topics beginning with definitions of normality and abnormality with respect to human behavior, and including the concepts of stigma and othering. The social and genetic bases for major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression are also explored in depth. Students explore definitions of mental illness and how the existence of certain disorders remains a source of debate. Various perspectives and treatments are included such as Freudian/psychoanalytic, cognitive behavioral and psychopharmacology; mental health as a neglected global public health issue will also be covered with an emphasis on application of concepts to real-world challenges at the individual, community and population levels.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Examine the historical context and treatment of mental health disorders.
2. Identify and differentiate the classification of psychological disorders.
3. Analyze how stigma, discrimination, and prejudice affect mental health classification and treatment. 
4. Evaluate treatment approaches for different disorders.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week. The Final Exam will take place during Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time).

• Week 1: Unit 1 – Introduction to Psychopathology and Mental Health
• Week 2: Unit 2 – Classifying and Treating Mental Illness
• Week 3: Unit 3 – Anxiety & Related Disorders
• Week 4: Unit 4 – Somatoform & Related Disorders
• Week 5: Unit 5 – Mood Disorders
• Week 6: Unit 6 – Eating & Sleeping Disorders
• Week 7: Unit 7 – Schizophrenia & Dissociative Disorders
• Week 8: Unit 8 – Personality Disorders
• Week 9: Unit 9 – Course Review and Final Exam

Learning Guide

The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.

Unit 1: Introduction to Psychopathology and Mental Health

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 2: Classifying and Treating Mental Illness

• Peer assess Unit 1 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 3: Anxiety & Related Disorders

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

Unit 4: Somatoform & Related Disorders

• Peer assess Unit 3 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 5: Mood Disorders

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 6: Eating & Sleeping Disorders

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self Quiz
• Take the Graded Quiz

 Unit 7: Schizophrenia & Dissociative Disorders

• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete and submit the Written Assignment
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz

Unit 8: Personality Disorders

• Peer assess Unit 7 Written Assignment
• Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
• Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post, comment, and rate in the Discussion Forum)
• Complete an entry in the Learning Journal
• Take the Self-Quiz
• Complete and submit the anonymous Course Evaluation
• Read the Unit 9 Learning Guide carefully for instructions on the Final Exam
• Take the Review Quiz

Unit 9: Course Review and Final Exam

• Read the Learning Guide and take the Review Quiz, if you haven’t already done so
• Prepare for, take, and submit the Final Exam
• The Final Exam will take place during the Thursday and Sunday of Week/Unit 9 (UoPeople time); exact dates, times, and other details will be provided accordingly by your instructor