Psychiatric Epidemiology 



 
 November 22, 2009

 
Course Syllabus

Course Description | Course Objectives | Course Materials | Grading Policy | Content Evaluations | Honor Code | Contact Information | Help | Ethical Conduct


 

Course Description

Presents the epidemiology of childhood mental disorders and late life dementias, mood and anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and other disturbances of brain function and mental life. Examines operational case definitions, measurement techniques, and sampling strategies to enhance field surveys and risk factor research. Intended for clinical or public health practitioners and administrators acquainted with these illnesses, and specialists in other fields.


Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Define the various elements of the field of psychiatric epidemiology and how these delineate the borders of the field
  • Define methodological and conceptual issues that are especially important for psychiatric epidemiology as distinct from other substantive areas of epidemiology
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the descriptive epidemiology of the major mental disorders: prevalence, incidence, and natural history
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the most important genetic and environmental risk factors for the major mental disorders
  • Describe the gaps in knowledge, as well as future needs and trends, in the field of psychiatric epidemiology

Course Materials

The textbook is available online at the following link: Textbook in Psychiatric Epidemiology.

You can also buy the book, Textbook in Psychiatric Epidemiology, 2nd ed., by Tsuang, M.T., and Tohen, M., from an online bookseller such as Amazon.

Additional course readings will be available online through E-Reserves and the Online Library. You will be given access instructions on individual lecture and assignment pages.

Other Recommended Texts

  • Prince, M., Stewart, R., Ford, T., Hotopf, M. (2003). Practical Psychiatric Epidemiology. New York, Oxford University Press.

  • Susser, E., Schwartz, S., Morabia, A., Bromet, E.J. (2006). Psychiatric Epidemiology: Searching for the Causes of Mental Disorders. New York, Oxford University Press.

Grading Policy

Grades will be based on class participation (20%), a group project involving creating a wiki page and giving a presentation (40%), and one take-home final examination (40%). Active participation by all students is sought.



Content Evaluations

There are three types of evaluation forms used for this course:

  • The course evaluation, which doesn't become available until the end of the course, provides instructors with valuable information regarding student opinions of the course as a whole.
  • We also use individual lecture evaluations that give better insight into the strengths or deficiencies of a specific lecture.
  • The third type is the LiveTalk evaluation, which is available only during and immediately after a LiveTalk session. Student feedback has an immediate impact on subsequent LiveTalks and can affect both content and format.

All students are strongly encouraged to complete the evaluations.

 		 

Honor Code

The Johns Hopkins University Honor Code should be followed throughout the course. You are required to write and sign the academic ethics statement, “I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment,” on your exam. Any infractions to the honor code will be referred to the Honor Committee.

Students are expected to adhere to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Academic Ethics Code. Students must provide proper citation for thoughts and words that are not their own. This includes providing proper citation when paraphrasing or quoting the work of other people. The School’s Academic Ethics Training Module contains very detailed information including case studies with specific examples of correct and incorrect citation of references. The module also provides links to online tutorials and other resources.


Contact Information

Primary Faculty
William W. Eaton, PhD
Professor and Chair
Department of Mental Health
Hampton House room 850
Email: weaton@jhsph.edu

Teaching Assistant
Anne Sawyer
asawyer2@jhsph.edu


Help

Concerns
Contact
Concerns about course topics and assignments
Technical concerns about the functionality and operation of course Web pages (before emailing, please make sure that you can replicate the problem)
  • DEHelp, the central help system for all tech support inquiries related to DED courses
Technical help on weekends
  • JHSPH User Support: 410-955-3781
Concerns about your Internet connection
  • Your Internet service provider (e.g., AT&T, Erols, etc.)
Concerns about your personal software
  • Your software vendor


Ethical Conduct

The academic ethics code, as discussed in the Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students, March 31, 2002, will be adhered to in this class.


Disability Support Services

If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic accommodation, please contact Betty H. Addison in the Office of Career Services and Disability Support: dss@jhsph.edu, 410-955-3034, or Room E-1140.

 

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Copyright to this collective work of materials is owned by The Johns Hopkins University.
Copyright to individual contributions may be retained by contributing authors.