Module: Psychology, Illness & Disability

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Psychology, Illness & Disability
Module Code	PSY1040 (ITS: PSYC307)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To enable students to discuss the ways in which psychology can contribute to their understanding of disability and illness.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critique differing explanations and models of illness and disability
2. Examine the role of personal and social issues on the impact and experience of illness and disability
3. Discuss the role of the body in illness and disability
4. Appraise the insider perspective on illness and disability as discussed in first person narratives and autobiographies
5. Critically evaluate the role of interventions in improving well being in relation to illness and disability
6. Identify real life examples and applications of psychological principles in illness and disability

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	Indicative Syllabus
Seminars	8	Student led seminars of first person narrative
Assignment Completion	60	Preparation of first person narrative presentation and essay.
Independent Study	20	Self-directed reading
Assignment Completion	25	Creation of wiki page on chosen topic, contribution to wiki discussions, participation/engagement with class activities each week and guest lecture
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11482	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Pamela Gallagher	Module Teacher	Aoife McNicholl

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Applying psychological principles to first person narratives	60%	n/a
Presentation	Presentation of first person narrative	20%	n/a
Assignment	Creation of wiki page Participation in class activities each week, contribution to wiki discussion and engagement with guest lecture	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Definitions, models and frameworks of disability (e.g. biomedical model, social model of disability, International Classification of Functioning and Health)

Psychological adjustment to and coping with illness and disability

Quality of life and the personal impact of Illness and disability

Body image and disability

Identity and disability

The emotional effects of living in a disabling world

Interventions (peer counselling, psychotherapeutic approaches, technology)

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Martz, E. & Livneh, H. (Eds.): 2007, Coping with Chronic Illness and Disability, Springer, New York, 978-0387486680
Byrne, J.: 2006, If It Were Just Cancer: A Battle for Dignity and Life, Veritas, Dublin, 978-1853909795
Cole, J.: 2004, Still Lives: Narratives of Spinal Cord Injury, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachussetts, 978-0262532846
Dell Orto, A. E. & Power, P. W. (Eds): 2007, The Psychological and Social Impact of Illness and Disability, Springer, New York, 978-0826102447
Goodley, D. & Lawthom, R. (Eds): 2006, Disability and Psychology: Critical Introductions and Reflections, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire, 978-1403936011
Sarah Fitzgerald: 2023, Conversations about activism and change, Martello Publishing, Dublin,
Fitzmaurice, R: 2017, I Found My Tribe, Vintage, Ireland,
Fitzmaurice, S.: 2014, It's not yet dark, Hodder Headline, Dublin, Ireland,
Higashida, N.: 2013, The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism., Random House, New York,
Hoge, R.: 2013, Ugly, Random House, New York,
MacLachlan, M.: 2004, Embodiment: Clinical, Critical and Cultural Perspectives, Open University Press, Milton Keynes, 978-0335209590
MacLachlan, M. & Gallagher, P. (Eds.): 2004, Enabling Technologies: Body Image and Body Function, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 978-0443072475
Phelan, V: 2019, Overcoming, Hachette Books, Ireland,
Swain, J., French S., Barnes, C., & Thomas, C. (Eds.): 2013, Disabling Barriers, Enabling Environments, Sage, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None