Abnormal Psychology
Cincinnati Christian University
GPS 370 Spring 2009
Meeting Time: Monday 3:20 – 6:00 pm Credit: 3 Semester Hours
Instructor: Peggy Volters, M.S., L.P.C.C., I.M.F.T.
Email:
Course Description: This course addresses the specific aspects of personality theory and cultural and biological factors that lead to an understanding of abnormal behavior and psychopathology as it affects a wide range of individuals from children through the aged.
Course Objectives:
Students will be able to:
· Describe the perspectives on abnormal behavior and mental disorders provided by history, science, research, and the clinical model.
· Understand and utilize the etiological explanations of the biological, psychological, and sociocultural models.
· Know the major diagnostic features, etiology and treatment strategies of each category of mental disorders listed in DSM IV-TR.
· Understand, appreciate, respect, and empathize with individuals who are diagnosed with a mental disorder.
Methodology:
The philosophy of instructions will include instructor oriented “teaching” methods but will emphasize the active, experiential, and collaborative approach of “learning” paradigms.
1. Lecture
2. Class discussions
3. Media
4. Student presentations
5. Small group exercises
6. Role-play simulation
7. Computer technology (Web sites, Internet)
Student Evaluation Criteria:
A. Examinations
B. Short reaction papers
C. Reviews of journal articles and specific text chapters
D. Reviews of case studies
E. Research paper on a focused topic of interest in abnormal psychology.
Required Textbook:
Halgin, R.P. & Whitbourne, S.K., (2008). Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill: New York. ** This includes a CD—referred to as MIND MAP.
Additional Readings:
Additional articles/readings may be assigned throughout the semester and will be distributed by the instructor electronically or in class.
Grading Policy:
Grades will be calculated according to the following formula:
Classroom/homework activities- reaction papers, etc. 25%
Exams 1-4 (10% each) 40%
Attendance 10%
APA-style Research Report 25%
Attendance:
If a class is missed, the student is responsible for obtaining notes from missed lectures from another student, scheduling to make up missed quizzes or tests before the next class session, and turning in all projects on time to receive credit. Missing more than two sessions of class will result in Failure Due to Absences (FA). Leaving class early or arriving after the mid-class break without notifying the professor before that class will be counted as an absence.
Grading Scale:
See catalog for complete description of the university’s grading policy. Grading Scale is as follows.
95-100% A 77-79% C
92-94 A- 74-76% C-
89-91 B+ 71-73 D+
86-88 B 68-70 D
83-85 B- 65-67 D-
80-82 C+ 0-64 F
Late work:
Late work will not be accepted. Any work not turned in on the assigned date will be counted as a zero. The final must be taken on the date scheduled by the school. Exceptions to this must be cleared and arranged through the dean’s office.
Academic Honesty:
See student handbook for a full explanation. Plagiarism, cheating, and dishonesty will not be tolerated. Penalties for such behavior include automatic failure of the assignment for the first offense, failure of the course for the second offense, and expulsion or loss of all academic credit for the semester for the third offense.
Disclaimer:
It is possible that not all topics listed in the syllabus will be covered. The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus after the course begins.
Course Content and Sequence:
Jan. 26 Intro to class; concepts of normality vs. abnormality; Chapter 1, Scientific, Etiological perspectives, Biological, Psychological, and Sociocultural sections from Chapter 4.
Feb. 2 Clinical perspectives- Chapter 2 & Chapter 3
Faces Interactive: Bipolar disorder
Feb. 9 Psychological Approaches – Chapter 4
Faces Interactive: Panic disorder with Agoraphobia
Feb. 16 Introducing the Neurotic Triad, Anxiety Disorders – Chapter 5
Quiz #1 (Chapters 1-4) Multiple choice over class discussion & book
Faces Interactive: PTSD
Feb. 23 Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders – Chapter 6
Faces Interactive: Borderline Personality Disorder
March 2 Mood Disorders – Chapter 8
Faces Interactive: Major Depression
Final Paper Topics turned in no later than today
March 9 Spring Break – No Class!!
March 16 Schizophrenia and related Disorders – Chapter 9
Faces Interactive: Dysthymic Disorder
March 23 Personality Disorders – Chapter 10
Quiz #2- (Chapters 5,6,8,9)
Faces Interactive: Paranoid Schizophrenia
March 30 Disorders in Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence- Development-Related Disorders – Chapter 11
Faces Interactive: Tourette’s Syndrome
April 6 Age-Related and Cognitive Disorders – Chapter 12
Faces Interactive: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
April 13 Substance Related Disorders- Chapter 13
Faces Interactive: Substance Abuse
April 20 Sexual Disorders – Chapter 7
Faces Interactive: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Quiz #3 (Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13)
April 27 Eating Disorders and Impulse Control Disorders- Chapter 14
Faces Interactive: Bulimia Nervosa
Put your finishing touches on your papers!
May 4 Tying It All Together: Ethical and Legal Issues – Chapter 15
Final Paper Due!! No late papers accepted!!
May 11 FINAL: Quiz #4 (Chapters 7, 14 & 15) with comprehensive questions from earlier material (questions taken from first three quizzes).
ASSIGNMENTS;
All written work should be printed in 12-point font; Times Roman, Arial, or similar. Headers for weekly papers should be 1 or 2 lines long.
Papers should be proofed before they are given to the instructor. Use APA style for research papers.
1. Faces Interactive (accessed via MindMap) is a media based resource with focused information about various diagnoses or disorders. Your response papers will contain your personal thoughts, reflections, attitudes about each case as presented. Use the clinical questions from the “Interview” tab to structure your responses. All or nothing grading. Credit is given for completing a 1-2 page response paper. Occasionally a response to other resources, articles, etc. will be assigned for the same type of written response.
2. Tests: Will be mostly multiple choice.
3. Final Research Paper: Students may choose a topic of abnormal behavior in which they have a special interest. The paper should be 5-10 pages in length. References: you should include at least 3 articles from professional journals (published within the past 5 years), and at least two other resources, only one of which can be internet resources. Chapters from edited books would count as a book resource. Older published citations are acceptable if they are citing classic research. See instructor if you have questions.