PSYCH 708A/B : Clinical Neuropsychology
Science
2020 Semester One (1203) / Semester Two (1205) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
PSYCH 708 provides a foundation course in clinical neuropsychology and adult neuropsychological assessment that integrates research and clinical elements. A range of teaching methods are used, including didactic teaching of modules comprising essential fundamental knowledge (including practical components such as neuropsychological test administration), seminars on areas of neuropsychological dysfunction, neurological conditions and cultural considerations, and case studies. Students apply knowledge gained in the course to the interpretation of detailed clinical cases that incorporate personal and clinical background information and neuropsychological assessments. Class discussion, particularly of the case studies, is an essential part of the learning process.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a good working knowledge of neuroanatomy and common types of neuropathology (Capability 1)
- Develop proficiency in the administration and scoring of specific neuropsychological tests (i.e., WAIS-IV, WMS-IV, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure; Oral Word Fluency, California Verbal Learning Test), as well as a basic familiarity with additional test protocols (e.g., NART; Token test; Wisconsin Card Sort) (Capability 1 and 6)
- Understand the neuropsychological profiles and issues involved in working with different areas of neuropsychological dysfunction (e.g., aphasia; spatial disorders; dementia; stroke; head injury) as well as specific client groups (e.g., children, different cultural groups) (Capability 1, 2 and 6)
- Analyse and interpret neuropsychological profiles, utilizing clinical, health, social, educational and cultural history and information (Capability 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6)
- Develop neuropsychological formulations and make clinical recommendations related to individual client data and history (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Critically evaluate an issue in the literature related to your seminar topic in depth, to demonstrate your ability to synthesis and critically evaluate research. (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Practical | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Test | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Case Studies | 35% | Individual Coursework |
| Presentation | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Essay | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| 6 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||||
| Practical | ||||||||||
| Test | ||||||||||
| Case Studies | ||||||||||
| Presentation | ||||||||||
| Essay | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Practical - administer and score test protocols (Semester 1)
Test 1 (Semester 1) Neuroanatomy, neuropathology and basic neuropsychological assessment procedures
Case Studies (1 in Semester 1; 4 in Semester 2): each worth 7%
Seminar Presentation and Essay (either Semester 1 or Semester 2)
Final Exam (Semester 2)
Learning Resources
You will be supplied with a course book containing information and current normative data for the neuropsychological testing instruments used in the course.
GENERAL REQUIRED READINGS: Lezak, M. D., Howieson D.B., Bigler, E.D. Tranel, D. (2012). Neuropsychological Assessment (5th ed) (minimum Chpt 1 – 8; 20), OUP, New York. This may be read in the library.
RECOMMENDED READING: Ogden, J. A. (2005). Fractured Minds: A case study approach to clinical neuropsychology (2nd Ed), OUP, New York.
CASE STUDY REFERENCES: References related to each case study will be available via CANVAS.
Special Requirements
Workload Expectations
Following University workload guidelines, a standard 30 point course represents approximately 300 hours of study.
This is a double semester course (708 A & B). During Semester 1, in a typical teaching week there will be 3 contact hours per week, comprising 30 hours of lectures or seminars and 6 hours of tutorials. That leaves a total of 114 hour across the semester for independent study (approx 20 hours for practical work, and 94 hours for reading and thinking about the content, work on assignments and test preparation).
During Semester 2, in a typical teaching week there will be 2 hours of contact per week (lectures, seminars,, case study discussions), leaving 126 hours across the whole semester for independent study (reading and thinking about the content and case studies, work on case studies and the assignment and exam preparation).
Digital Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.