CPS5001 · Foundations of attachment and psychoanalytic developmental theories 1

Overview

In this unit you will be exploring human development from three theoretical perspectives enabling you to apply a developmental lens to the practice of observation, assessment, and case management. Specifically, you will be appraising the different contributions of attachment theory and those of Sigmund and Anna Freud to understanding child development, the inner world of the child, and the practice of child psychotherapy. Contemporary applications of these theories will be evaluated together with new advances in child psychotherapy practice.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment in this unit includes hurdle assessment tasks. Failure of any hurdle assessment task may result in failure of the unit. All assessment tasks must be passed to pass the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify the basic concepts and appraise the theories of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud and Attachment Theory relevant to child development, and in relation to contemporary advances in psychoanalytic and developmental theory
2. Illustrate and distinguish between theoretical perspectives of child development
3. Appraise these theoretical contributions to inferring mental life for children within their caregiving relationships
4. Differentiate these respective theoretical contributions to the understanding of clinical work with children and adolescents
5. Analyse and apply these theories to interpret clinical case studies and your experience

Workload

In this unit there will be 12 hours of teaching and learning activities per week comprising a mix of teacher-directed and self-directed learning, including readings, video resources, online discussions, interactive tutorials, a reflective journal, and written assessments. In addition, students in this Unit will attend and participate in the half day weekend workshop.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.