CPS5001 Foundations of attachment and psychoanalytic developmental theories 1
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
CPS5001 Foundations of attachment and psychoanalytic developmental theories 1 is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 4 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before CPS5001
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After CPS5001
4 units list CPS5001 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in a postgraduate degree.
Overview
In this unit you will be exploring human development from three theoretical perspectives enabling you to apply a developmental lens to the practice of observation, assessment, and case management. Specifically, you will be appraising the different contributions of attachment theory and those of Sigmund and Anna Freud to understanding child development, the inner world of the child, and the practice of child psychotherapy. Contemporary applications of these theories will be evaluated together with new advances in child psychotherapy practice.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Bld blk |
Assessment
- Weekend workshop with brief assignment & participation (300-500 words)Exercise20%
- Analytic essay (900 words)WrittenThreshold hurdle15%
- Analytical essay (1,600 words)WrittenThreshold hurdle30%
- Analytical summative essay (2,000 words)WrittenThreshold hurdle35%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Identify the basic concepts and appraise the theories of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud and Attachment Theory relevant to child development, and in relation to contemporary advances in psychoanalytic and developmental theory
- 2
Illustrate and distinguish between theoretical perspectives of child development
- 3
Appraise these theoretical contributions to inferring mental life for children within their caregiving relationships
- 4
Differentiate these respective theoretical contributions to the understanding of clinical work with children and adolescents
- 5
Analyse and apply these theories to interpret clinical case studies and your experience
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials8.75 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
In this unit there will be 12 hours of teaching and learning activities per week comprising a mix of teacher-directed and self-directed learning, including readings, video resources, online discussions, interactive tutorials, a reflective journal, and written assessments. In addition, students in this Unit will attend and participate in the half day weekend workshop.
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Ms Sarah Anderson
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Sarah Anderson
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for CPS5001?
CPS5001 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after CPS5001?
CPS5001 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 4 units, including CPS5005, CPS5006, CPS5007 and CPS5008.
When is CPS5001 offered?
In 2026, CPS5001 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does CPS5001 have an exam?
No. CPS5001 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.