Psychology

Mental disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia, are prevalent across the globe, significantly impacting individuals and communities. This course explores both the understanding of mental disorders and the psychological treatments used to address them. The first half of the course introduces students to the clinical presentation, etiology, and diagnostic frameworks of various mental disorders, and these disorders are examined through multiple perspectives, including developmental, sociocultural, neurobiological, and psychodynamic approaches. The second half of the course explores a range of psychological treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, and other therapeutic approaches, focusing on their application to specific mental health conditions. Importantly, this course involves research methods in psychology, mental health, and psychotherapy. 

This course traces the main developments in the history of psychology and conceptual issues introduced when one studies human behavior. Psychology's origins in philosophy and physiology are discussed and particular attention is paid to the emergence of the autonomous, experimentally-based discipline of psychology in the late 19th century and the rise of schools of psychology in the early 20th century.