School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Object Relations and Attachment Theory
  • Unit Code

    COU6114
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Maria Madalena GROBBELAAR

Description

This unit develops the basic framework for understanding human behaviour within a developmental and social context. It explores stages in human development from a psychoanalytic object relations and attachment theory perspectives. Social and cultural factors influencing the ways in which problems are presented to the counsellor for assistance are considered. Attention is given to issues of gender, ethnicity and sexual preference and consideration is given to common presenting difficulties in human development. Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this initial Masters Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator. A minimum of 80% class attendance is required.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded COU5102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the developmental stages of the human life cycle from object relations and attachment theory perspectives.
  2. Assess the interaction between community values and individual problems, and well as between the social context and the counsellor.
  3. Deduce the impact of specific contemporary community issues on the development and well-being of the individual.
  4. Critically evaluate specific theoretical viewpoints regarding normal/abnormal behaviour and its relationship to community standards.
  5. Synthesise object relations and attachment theory and apply to the above contexts.

Unit Content

  1. The stages of the human developmental life cycle from infancy to old age, from a psychodynamic perspective, specifically the contributions of object relations and attachment theorists to understanding human development.
  2. Assessment of situations of loss, domestic violence, separation and divorce, incest and childhood sexual abuse and their impacts on development of the self within an object relations and attachment theory framework.
  3. Understanding the developmental basis of presenting difficulties such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic illness, personality disorders, sexual disorders and trauma responses.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, supported by audio and visual materials. Small group discussions and exercises.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestClass Test40%
ProjectSignificant transitional stage or crisis60%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

COU6114|3|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Object Relations and Attachment Theory
  • Unit Code

    COU6114
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Maria Madalena GROBBELAAR

Description

This unit develops the basic framework for understanding human behaviour within a developmental and social context. It explores stages in human development from a psychoanalytic object relations and attachment theory perspectives. Social and cultural factors influencing the ways in which problems are presented to the counsellor for assistance are considered. Attention is given to issues of gender, ethnicity and sexual preference and consideration is given to common presenting difficulties in human development. Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this initial Masters Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator. A minimum of 80% class attendance is required.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded COU5102

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the developmental stages of the human life cycle from object relations and attachment theory perspectives.
  2. Assess the interaction between community values and individual problems, and well as between the social context and the counsellor.
  3. Deduce the impact of specific contemporary community issues on the development and well-being of the individual.
  4. Critically evaluate specific theoretical viewpoints regarding normal/abnormal behaviour and its relationship to community standards.
  5. Synthesise object relations and attachment theory and apply to the above contexts.

Unit Content

  1. The stages of the human developmental life cycle from infancy to old age, from a psychodynamic perspective, specifically the contributions of object relations and attachment theorists to understanding human development.
  2. Assessment of situations of loss, domestic violence, separation and divorce, incest and childhood sexual abuse and their impacts on development of the self within an object relations and attachment theory framework.
  3. Understanding the developmental basis of presenting difficulties such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic illness, personality disorders, sexual disorders and trauma responses.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, supported by audio and visual materials. Small group discussions and exercises.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestClass Test40%
ProjectSignificant transitional stage or crisis60%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

COU6114|3|2