https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/P_MPSYPATDuring this course, you will:Acquire theoretical knowledge of and insight into developmental origins of mental health, and the clinical presentation of disorders.Acquire knowledge of and insight into the interrelationships among physiological, genetic, cognitive, socio-emotional, ecological, and relational factors in the development of mental health problems.Understand the integration of clinical and developmental perspectives of psychopathology.Develop oral and written presentation skills to communicate effectively within the forum of clinical and developmental psychopathology.The aim of this course is to integrate clinical and developmental perspectives of psychopathology, to achieve a thorough theoretical understanding of the developmental origins of mental health, and the clinical presentation of disorders. This course aims to build a firm theoretical foundation for the program components to follow, to provide an orientation on a variety of approaches of different researchers involved in the RMCDP program, and to stimulate the process of integrating different perspectives. Topics covered include general issues regarding conceptual models of psychopathology, assessment, classification and research in psychopathology. Further, the presentation of mental health problems in adulthood and childhood and adolescence, and their developmental course are discussed. Moreover, physiological, genetic, cognitive, social-emotional, ecological, and relational factors are discussed as these relate to risks as well as protective factors for the development of mental health problems. Based on this broad showcase of perspectives, the approaches towards classification, etiology, and research are addressed for the field of clinical and developmental psychopathology.All lectures and seminar meetings will be synchronous, on campus, and will not be recorded. Lectures are used to present up-to-date knowledge on development and psychopathology in general, specific types of psychopathology, and factors involved in the onset and course of psychopathology in a topical and organized way. During the lectures, teachers present an overview of the topic at hand, and then address specific issues that they discuss with the students. Students prepare for their participation in the lectures by reading the assigned literature prior to attending the lecture. While lectures provide you with background theory and research findings, the seminars provide practical skills training. During seminars, students will actively be engaged in various activities, focused on writing, methods, clinical or presenting skills, and field trips (when possible). Students prepare for their participation in seminars by reading literature, completing assigned activities, and/or writing drafts.You will pass this course by fulfilling the following requirements:Pass the two written exams (≥5.5; 25% of final grade each)Pass the final assignment (≥5.5; 50% of final grade)Exams Each exam will each consist of open-book, short-essay questions regarding the course literature and lectures (e.g., one non-cumulative exam at the end of each Period). Each exam grade counts for 25% of your final grade in the course, and you must earn a 5.5 or higher on each exam in order to meet the requirement of passing the exams. There will be an opportunity for one, cumulative resit exam. In accordance with the FGB Teaching and Examination Regulations, this resit is allowed for both passed and failed exams, and the most recent mark (i.e., not the highest mark) will apply in the event of a resit. All exams will be administered digitally at the VU with in-person proctoring. Final assignment For the final assignment, you will write and present a literature review on a clinical developmental psychopathology topic of your choosing. Throughout the course, there will be opportunities for you to receive feedback on your topic ideas and paper drafts. Detailed instructions and scoring criteria for the final assignment are provided via Canvas. The final assignment grade counts for 50% of your final grade in the course, and you must earn a 5.5 or higher on the assignment in order to meet the requirement of passing the final assignment. Importantly, late and incomplete assessment reports will not be accepted. There will be an opportunity for a resit assignment. In accordance with the FGB Teaching and Examination Regulations, only insufficiently assessed papers are eligible for the resit.All assigned and optional literature and audiovisual media are listed in Canvas. Students can access all literature via the VU Library online portal.This course is intended for first year students in the Research Master in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology. The Psychopathology course is the preliminary, mandatory course, that offers a stepping stone for the Research Master’s program as a whole. It integrates clinical and developmental perspectives of psychopathology, in order to achieve a thorough theoretical understanding of the developmental origins of mental health, and the clinical presentation of disorders. Further, it is the necessary groundwork and an outlook on research-focused theoretical courses later in the first year. The course is accessible for all research master students, and for PhD students after consultation with the coordinator.Sensitive content disclosure In this course, we discuss a broad variety of psychological topics and mental health concerns. These topics have impacted our lives in many ways and some are potentially distressing, including content related to specific psychological disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), alcohol and substance use, suicide/self-harm, and/or trauma. These and other potentially mentally and/or emotionally difficult topics are discussed throughout the various topics and components of the course, including in the literature, lectures, and seminars. It is therefore critical that we practice sensitivity and empathy when engaging with others in this class. If you find that you are struggling with certain topics based on your own personal experiences, please contact the course coordinator or the seminar teacher and explore the counseling and psychological support resources for VU students. Academic integrity statement Academic misconduct is defined as any act or omission by a student that partially or entirely precludes making an accurate assessment of their knowledge, understanding and skills, or those of another student. Use of generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT) is not allowed, and its use in this course is a form of academic misconduct. Plagiarism is the literal adoption of someone else’s work or parts thereof without citation of sources and presenting it as one’s own work. Paraphrasing or summarizing other people’s work may also constitute plagiarism if insufficient reference is made to the source. Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct, and the term fraud refers to both academic misconduct and plagiarism. If fraud is found or suspected, the FGB Examination Board will be notified as soon as possible, and they will then make a decision on the fraud case. For further details regarding the rules, regulations, and penalties for fraud, see Rules and Guidelines of the FGB Examination Board and the VU Manual for Quality Assurance of Teaching and Learning.