PSYCH 460: Abnormal Psychology

Transcription

1 PSYCH 460: Abnormal Psychology Class Location: Lagomarcino W0162 Class Time: MTWRF 1:20-2:20pm, 06/13/11 08/05/11 Instructor: CariAnn Bergner, M.S. Office: Lagomarcino W239 Office Hours: MTR 2:30-3:30pm, or by appointment Textbook (Required): Comer, R. J. (2010). Abnormal psychology (7th ed.). New York: Worth The textbook is required for this class. I may not cover all the material in each chapter during lectures. However, assigned material from the chapter that is not covered in lecture may be on a test. You are responsible for learning this information, and I expect that you will ask questions if something is unclear. It is expected that you will read the assigned pages of the text before each lecture. Prerequisites: The prerequisites are Psych 101 and two other psychology courses. Blackboard Learn: I will communicate with you by making announcements in class and by posting announcements on Blackboard Learn. Once you are enrolled in the class, a Blackboard Learn course entitled "PSYCH 460 (Summer 2011)" will appear in your Blackboard Learn course list. You should check Blackboard Learn for announcements frequently. Course Objectives: Throughout this course, you will be able to: 1. Define concepts and explain theories of abnormal psychology. 2. Demonstrate increased understanding and empathy of psychological disorders. 3. Identify and critically examine the ways that abnormal psychology is presented in the media and popular culture. 4. Compare and evaluate methods of diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. How you will demonstrate mastery of the course objectives: Exams: There will be 4 exams in this course; each is worth 50 points. The dates for these exams are Friday, June 24 th for Exam 1, Monday, July 11 th for Exam 2, Thursday, July 21 st for Exam 3, and Friday, August 5 th for Exam 4. Exams will include a variety of 1

2 multiple-choice and short-answer items. These exams are an opportunity to demonstrate Course Objective 1. In-class quizzes/activities: There will be 7 quizzes/activities to be completed in class throughout the course. The format of these will vary. You will not know ahead of time when the quizzes and activities will be. Your five highest-graded completed quizzes/activities will be counted toward your grade in the course, and the lowest two will be dropped. If you miss class on a day that there is a quiz or activity, this will count toward the two that are dropped. The purpose of these quizzes/activities is to encourage class attendance and to demonstrate Course Objectives 2 and 3. Papers: There will be two papers to complete for this course. Each are described below: Film Analysis: One of the several objectives of this course is help you to become familiar with diagnostic terms, their purposes and limitations, as well as theories about the development of disorders. Through creation of a case study paper you will experience the opportunity to apply your new knowledge of diagnostic terms and theories to a case description. It will be your task to choose and watch a film that features a character who suffers from a mental disorder. You will then come up with a tentative 5-axis DSM-IV-TR diagnosis for the person, describe the person s symptoms, and offer various theoretical perspectives on why and how the symptoms described may have developed. You will also be asked to consider and describe which sociocultural factors may be contributing to the development and maintenance of the disorder and to suggest a range of plausible treatments that might be useful in controlling or reducing the symptoms. Additional information about the task, as well as expectations for the paper will be provided. You must submit the name of your film for approval by me no later than Friday, June 24 th. This required paper is due on Friday, July 1st. This assignment is an opportunity to demonstrate Course Objectives 2, 3, and 4. The paper must be at least 5 pages long, double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman. You do not need to include a cover page. Controversial Topic Paper: You will choose a current controversial topic in abnormal psychology and critically examine and discuss both sides of the issue. You will use professional references (i.e., not Wikipedia or authorless websites) in your discussions of both sides of the issue. Then you will provide your conclusion on the topic, based upon the research you conducted. A list of possible topics will be provided on Blackboard Learn. You must submit your topic to me for approval no later than Friday, July 15 th. This required paper is due on Wednesday, July 27th. This assignment is an opportunity to demonstrate Course Objectives 1, 2, and 3. The paper must be 12- point font, Times New Roman, and double-spaced. The paper must be at least 7 pages long (not including references). You do not need to include a cover page. 2

3 Graduate Students: In addition to all other course requirements, graduate students will be required to write an annotated bibliography paper for this course, one worth 50 points, the point equivalent of one exam. Graduate students should confer with the instructor during the first week of the course to ascertain expectations for the paper. The paper is due on Friday, August 5 th.. Grading Policy: I expect that assignments will be turned in during class and on time. I will not accept assignments through unless you and I have discussed this, and I have approved it. If you will be gone the day an assignment is due, it is your responsibility to get assignment to me before the due date. You will lose 10% of the total points possible for the assignment for each weekday an assignment is late. You are also expected to be present on exam days. If you know of a conflict, you must inform me well in advance of the test date so we can arrange an alternative test time. If you are ill on the day of the test, you need to notify me as soon as you are able. We will then discuss your options for making up the test. I reserve the right to give you an alternate test form if you are not able to take the test with the rest of the class. Points available in course: 4 Exams = 200 points (50 points per exam) Film Analysis = 50 points Controversial Topic Paper = 50 points Quizzes/Activities = 50 points (10 points per quiz/activity) Total points possible = 350 points *For graduate students: total points possible will be 400 (with the addition of 50 possible for the required annotated bibliography)* Grading Criteria: Your grade in this course will be determined based on the percentage of points earned in the course. You have the opportunity to acquire 350 total points (400 for graduate students) in this class. The following percentage ranges will be utilized in assigning grades: % = A 79-82% = B % = D % = A % = C % = D 87-89% = B % = C 55-58% = D % = B 67-70% = C or lower = F 3

4 Special Accommodations: Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as possible. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Student Disability Resources (SDR) office located in Room 1076 of the Student Services Building ( ). Academic Integrity: Do NOT plagiarize! It is important that you respect the work of others by giving them the credit they deserve. Please familiarize yourself with ISU s policy regarding academic dishonesty. You can review the policy at: Dishonesty will NOT be tolerated and any lapses in academic integrity will be taken seriously and addressed by the instructor. The academic work of all students must comply with all university policies on academic honesty. Examples of academic misconduct are: Attempting to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam; Submitting as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs or other products prepared by another person; Knowingly assisting another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials; or Plagiarism. o A useful link to understanding plagiarism, the consequences of plagiarism, and best practices for avoiding plagiarism is available at: Special Note: This course involves very interesting, yet sometimes quite sensitive topics. Class discussions are welcome, and even expected, for deeper learning of the material. However, you are required to treat your classmates and the topics discussed with the utmost respect. I want the class to be a fun experience, and humor will definitely be a part of the course, but not at the expense of others feelings, beliefs, and experiences. Classroom Behavior: You will turn off your cell phones and put them away during class. There will be absolutely no texting during class. You will not use laptop computers for any other purpose than note taking. You may eat and drink in class, but you must clean up after yourselves. If you are late to class, please be quiet as you find your seat. Do not pack up your belongings in a disruptive manner before the end of class. 4

5 Tentative Class Schedule (Any necessary changes to this schedule will be shared in class and on Blackboard Learn.) Topic Associated Chapters Assignments Wk Date 1 6/13 Introduction to Course 6/14 History of Abnormality Chapter 1 6/15 History of Abnormality Chapter 1 6/16 Research of Abnormal Psych Chapter 2 6/17 Research of Abnormal Psych/Models of Abnormality Chapter 2; Chapter 3 p /20 Models of Abnormality Chapter 3 p /21 Models of Abnormality/Diagnosis and Treatment Chapter 3 p.63-87; Chapter 4 6/22 Diagnosis and Treatment Chapter 4 6/23 Diagnosis and Treatment/Review for Exam Chapter 4 6/24 Exam #1 Chapters 1-4 Film title must be submitted for approval 3 6/27 Anxiety Disorders Chapter 5 6/28 Anxiety Disorders Chapter 5 6/29 Stress Disorders Chapter 6 6/30 Stress Disorders Chapter 6 7/1 Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders 4 7/4 University Holiday No Class! 7/5 Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Film Analysis 5

6 Wk Date Topic Associated Chapters Assignments 7/6 Mood Disorders Chapter 8 7/7 Mood Disorders/Treatment for Mood Disorders 7/8 Treatment for Mood Disorders/Review for Exam Chapter 8/Chapter 9 Chapter 9 5 7/11 Exam #2 Chapters 4-9 7/12 Suicide Chapter 10 7/13 Eating Disorders Chapter 11 7/14 Eating Disorders Chapter 11 7/15 Substance-Related Disorders Chapter 12 Controversial topic must be submitted for approval 6 7/18 Substance-Related Disorders Chapter 12 7/19 Sexual Disorders and Gender Identity Disorder 7/20 Sexual Disorders/Review for Exam Chapter 13 Chapter 13 7/21 Exam #3 Chapters /22 Schizophrenia Chapter /25 Schizophrenia Chapter 14 7/26 Treatment for Schizophrenia and Other Severe Mental Disorders Chapter 15 7/27 Personality Disorders Chapter 16 Controversial Topic Paper 7/28 Personality Disorders Chapter 16 6

7 Wk Date Topic Associated Chapters Assignments 7/29 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence 8 8/1 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence 8/2 Disorders of Aging and Cognition 8/3 Law, Society, and the Mental Health Profession 8/4 Law, Society, and the Mental Health Profession/Review for Exam Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 19 8/5 Exam #4 Chapters Grad Students: Annotated Bib. due ***The instructor reserves the right to make any reasonable alterations to the course syllabus if the need arises.*** 7