Psychology 4978: Clinical Psychology Capstone (Section 1) Fall 2015

Transcription

1 Psychology 4978: Clinical Psychology Capstone (Section 1) Fall 2015 Instructor: Julianne Gray Ludlam, Ph.D. Class Location: McAlester 101 Class Time: T/Th, 9:30 AM 10:45 AM CST Office Location: McAlester 25 E- mail: Office Hours: See Blackboard, under Phone: not a good way to reach me Instructor/TA Info Course Description This course is a capstone experience, intended to give students the opportunity to draw together the knowledge and skills learned throughout their undergraduate career. In this clinical psychology capstone, students will work at assigned community agencies in a semester- long service- learning project while completing coursework designed to integrate academic knowledge with this real- world experience. While students learn firsthand about clinical agencies and populations, in- class readings and discussions will highlight advanced ideas on topics such as diagnosis, clinical interventions, and ethics. Students will also conduct an individual research project on a topic in clinical psychology, culminating in a final written report. The emphasis of this course is on: 1) enhancing the critical thinking skills used in clinical research and treatment; 2) using writing as a tool for knowledge building and consolidation; and 3) integrating academic knowledge with practical experience in the clinical field. Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, you should: 1. Have an advanced understanding of major issues and controversies in clinical psychology. 2. Have the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct a thorough review of the literature on a topic in psychology and related fields. 3. Have developed your writing, reviewing, and editing abilities to a substantial degree. 4. Have enhanced the reasoning skills used to articulate viewpoints and substantiate arguments in both written and oral communications. 5. Have a greater understanding of how psychological theories, principles, and techniques apply to your own behavior and the behavior of others. 6. Have increased interpersonal awareness and cultural sensitivity when interacting with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. 7. Have gained career experience and insight into the field of clinical psychology. Online Course Access You may access the course via Login to Blackboard using your MU pawprint and password. If you have difficulty finding the course or you do not see the course listed, please contact the Mizzou IT Help Desk at 573/

2 Textbooks Required: Pomerantz, A. (2014). Clinical Psychology: Science, Practice, and Culture, 3 rd Edition (DSM- 5 Update). Sage Publications, Inc. ISBN: Recommended: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition. (2009). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. The required textbook is a new edition, updated for the DSM- 5. We will have several assigned readings from this textbook, and you will be quizzed on the material and expected to discuss it. I will be using this same textbook next semester, so you should be able to sell it to classmates or back to the bookstore. Used versions are already available, as are digital rentals. The publisher also offers a free student site ( The recommended textbook will help you write in APA style, which is required for all papers. Inexpensive copies can be found easily. Although I personally like a book, you can access information on APA style on Purdue OWL: Course Structure This course is unique in its structure. The primary activities of this course include a service- learning project, in which you will be placed at a community agency, and a research project on a clinical psychology topic. Classes will be conducted in seminar format and will consist of intellectual discussions of a variety of assigned topics, as well as discussions of your placements. In this course, you will be expected to work independently to complete both your service- learning responsibilities and your research project. In this course, you will: 1. Work at your assigned agencies for the required hours each week. 2. Report on your activities and observations at your placement. 3. Attend regularly scheduled class meetings and participate in discussions. 4. Complete the assigned readings prior to class and be prepared to discuss them. 5. Propose and conduct a research report on a topic in clinical psychology, in APA format. 6. Present the results of your research and your experiences at your placement to the class. Teaching Assistant The teaching assistant for this section will be Jessica Hua (jphc55@mail.missouri.edu). You can find information about her office location and hours on Blackboard, under Instructor/TA Info. The Writing Center at MU Because this course is designated as a Writing- Intensive (WI) course, we will work to improve your writing skills. One way that you can improve these skills (and your grade in the class) is to use the services of MU s Writing Center. Students who use the center s services typically produce better writing efforts and gain greater understanding in the process. Our course is assigned a Writing Intensive Tutor who is specifically available to you whenever possible. Students may make an appointment with our assigned Writing Intensive Tutor or another WI tutor, or submit a paper to the Online Writery by visiting the website: At the end of the semester, the instructor will collect non- personal data from the Writing Center regarding usage. Use of the Writing Center s services is strongly recommended but not required. 2

3 Course Expectations and Components Evaluation: Your grade will be based on the following: GRADED ITEM POINTS PERCENTAGE OF GRADE 1. Service Learning (S- L) Project 25.5% Supervisor Report 180 In- Class Process Reports 25 each) Seminar Discussions 32.0% Discussion Facilitation 40 Discussion/Reaction Posts 130 Attendance/Participation Research Project 42.5% Research Proposal 75 Literature Review and References 100 Final APA- style Paper 150 Final Presentation 100 Total Points Possible % Grades will be determined by the following percentage of the total points: LETTER GRADE PERCENTAGE POINTS A or higher A A B B B C C C D D D F Below or lower Rounding and Extra Credit: Percentages will not be rounded up at any time in the class or in the submission of final grades. There is no extra credit available. 3

4 1. Service Learning (S- L) Project Service learning is a curricular technique that combines theoretical concepts with community service experiences. Service learning provides an opportunity to understand the relevance of issues discussed in class when applied to situations in the real- world. As part of your service- learning project, you are required to work a total of 35 hours (approximately 3 5 hours a week) during the semester at an agency that you will choose, from a list provided by the Service Learning Office. During the first week of classes the Service Learning Coordinator will provide information on how to select your placement site. When you log in to the MU Serves website, there is information regarding the various agencies that are participating in the Service Learning program. Please look through the agencies listed for our course during the first week. You will then decide which agency you would like to work with, set up an appointment with the campus representative, and fill out the necessary paperwork. Students work at the placement site under the supervision of agency personnel. Placement sites vary by type of work, clientele, and setting. Students should choose an agency they feel will best suit them for the semester. Students will submit to the instructor the name of the placement agency, weekly schedule, student contact information, and name and contact information of their supervisors. Please note: You are required to fulfill your commitment to the agency with whom you agree to work. If you have problems with the work you are required to do, please contact me right away. If you fail to go to your agency at the agreed upon times, you will fail this class. Supervisor Report: Your supervisor will submit reports of your performance in the middle and end of the semester. You will be evaluated on your professionalism, attendance, cooperation, dependability, resourcefulness, leadership, and interactions with others. In- Class Process Reports: During the semester, you will be asked to report on your service- learning experience in verbal and sometimes short written form. These short reports will be submitted in class, during the periods listed on the schedule as Process Issues: S- L Placements. You will have an opportunity to discuss issues, concerns, and activities from your placement sites together with your classmates and instructor, and at times, a representative from the S- L Office. This forum provides an opportunity to share projects and activities that you are involved in at your agency and, at the same time, gain valuable information about what your peers are doing at their agencies. 2. Seminar Discussions This course is designed to deepen your understanding of relevant issues in the field of clinical psychology. Classes will be conducted in seminar format and will consist of intellectual discussions of the assigned readings and field experiences. Reading assignments will be posted on Blackboard. Discussion Facilitation: Each student will be assigned to help facilitate one class discussion of a topic on the course schedule. For their assigned discussion topic, students are to prepare a summary of the readings and a list of discussion questions for the class (using forum posts is great!). Questions should start a discussion instead of having a straightforward answer. A detailed rubric will be provided. Evaluated by instructor. Discussion/Reaction Posts: For most assigned readings, students will submit discussion posts (questions or other reactions) on Blackboard, on the Discussion Posts page. Detailed instructions are provided for each forum. Questions should be open- ended and original. The best questions are those that could start a conversation or raise an issue. Other posts 4

5 may involve responses to online multiple choice or survey questions. Posts must be submitted on Blackboard by 11:59 PM CST on the evening prior to class, and should demonstrate an understanding of the assigned reading. Evaluated by TA and instructor. Attendance/Participation: Class discussions are most effective and educational when everyone is prepared to discuss the assigned readings each week. To aid in the discussion, you are expected to read the assigned materials before class and arrive on time. By participating in class discussion, students are expected to demonstrate comprehension of assigned readings, show advance thought and preparation, and contribute to group learning. Students will be asked to respond to direct questions, discuss reading material and lectures, and offer opinions and reasoning. Civility, respect for the sensibilities of classmates, tact, open- mindedness and articulate expression are assets. Students will receive points per class for active participation in the class discussion or activities. Active participation may also include pop quizzes or in- class writing assignments over the assigned readings; these are added at the instructor s discretion. No points will be given for a missed class, for any reason (see Attendance and Participation section, under Course Policies, below). Evaluated by instructor. 3. Research Project It is imperative that individuals in the mental health field know how to research psychological issues, and that they be able to communicate about such issues in both written and oral form. To assist you in developing this skill, you will undertake and complete a research project on a psychological topic of your choice. The following assignments are designed to help you reach the final product, the APA- style paper on your topic. Assignments are expected to be in APA- style. Detailed instructions will be provided for each assignment. Research Proposal: In this assignment, you will develop a written plan for your intended project. Considering your own personal interests, any observations from your service- learning site, as well as literature reviewed in a preliminary search, you will develop a set of research goals and questions on your topic and a general outline. This draft will be revised twice, in the draft of the Literature Review and in the Final APA- style paper. Estimated length: 3-4 pages. Evaluated by teaching assistant and instructor. Literature Review and References: In this assignment, you should synthesize available research to create a comprehensive summary of your topic. You should include a list of cited references. This assignment is a revision and re- working of the Research Proposal. Estimated length: 8-10 pages for the review and 2 pages for references. Evaluated by teaching assistant and instructor. Final APA- Style Paper: By the time you write this final paper, you will have received a great deal of feedback on your writing and your ideas, and you should work to make suggested changes and edits. This final product involves the revision of the your Literature Review and References. In this assignment, you should work to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely and hone your skills as a scientific writer. Estimated length: pages, including references. Evaluated by instructor. Final Presentation: At the end of the semester, you will share the findings of your research with the class in a minute presentation, depending on class size. You should create a 1- page handout for your presentation and provide copies for your classmates. Detailed instructions will be provided in class and on Blackboard. Evaluated by instructor. 5

6 Course Policies 1. Late Assignments All assignments are due at the beginning of class time on the date indicated on the syllabus, or by the time indicated by the instructor. Discussion/Reaction Posts will not be accepted late. There are no make- ups for in- class activities. Papers are late if they are turned in 15 minutes past the class start time or past the time indicated. Late papers will have a 10% reduction in grade applied to the final score for every class period they are late, unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. Further, late assignments will not be accepted after two weeks past the original due date. 2. Attendance and Participation You are expected to attend all classes and stay for the entire period. This is a participatory class, and a large portion of your grade depends upon your attendance and class participation. Grades will be lowered by up to 15% of your total grade (150 points) for absences, lateness, and/or lack of class participation. Points are deducted for each class absence, late arrival, and early departure. 3. Ethical Behavior Service learning and seminar discussions require ethical and respectful behavior; this is a basic requirement of this course and of your placement. By being a student in this class, you are agreeing to be respectful to me, to others in this class, and to everyone at your placement. Respect may involve any of the following: 1) coming to class/agency on time and remaining in class for the entire time; 2) turning off your phone and any other electronic devices before class begins; 3) listening thoughtfully to your peers and commenting appropriately; and 4) following guidelines regarding academic integrity. Any inappropriate or disrespectful classroom behavior can result in a lower grade (reductions in Discretionary points) and/or academic discipline. 4. Academic Integrity It is the responsibility of every student to support the academic integrity of the institution. This applies to personal honesty in all aspects of collegiate work, all student records and all contacts with faculty and staff. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. It is also the responsibility of every student to be respectful of the rights of other students, staff, and instructors to ensure a safe, peaceful atmosphere conductive to the educational goals of an institution of higher learning. Student actions that do not adhere to these codes will be addressed according to college policies regarding academic dishonesty and disruptive behavior. Particularly in a writing- intensive class, plagiarism of any kind is a major problem. You may not copy any amount of text (phrases, sentences, paragraphs, papers, etc.) from a classmate, journal article, or any source without using citations and quotation marks. Note that checking for plagiarism is easy in today s online environment. I strongly recommend that you check your work carefully for any writing that is not your own before submitting any assignment. I would greatly prefer to read your own writing, even if you are struggling to write well, than to read plagiarized work. Instances of plagiarism will be reported to the Provost s Office, and you will receive a zero for that assignment. 5. Course Changes and Communication This syllabus is subject to change based on the needs of the course or on instructor judgment. It is your responsibility to check Blackboard on a frequent and regular basis for all communications about the course, including updates and changes to the syllabus. 6

7 6. ADA Statement If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need to make arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please let me know as soon as possible. If disability related accommodations are necessary (for example, a note taker), please register with the Office of Disability Services ( S5 Memorial Union, , and then notify me of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. 7. MU Connect and Student Success Our course is involved in a student success early alert initiative at the University of Missouri. Throughout the term, you may receive s from MU Connect regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. You can also login to Blackboard and click on the MU Connect tab to view academic alerts and detailed information. Please pay attention to these s and information and consider taking the recommended actions. At the end of the semester, I will be interested in your feedback on this initiative. 8. Student Psychological Services Practical experience can expose a student to a variety of issues with which many people can identify. In addition, an issue discussed or covered in class may have some personal relevance to you or to those close to you. The University offers confidential counseling services, at no charge, to registered students. These services may be acquired through the Counseling Center located at 119 Parker Hall Intellectual Property Notice All course materials including but not limited to the syllabus, course assignments, study guides, learning guides, online lecture videos and content, and lab book (i.e. course pack) are property of the instructor and University and may not be shared online or distributed in any manner to others. Students are prohibited from posting course materials or notes online and from selling notes to or being paid for taking notes by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor teaching this course. Doing so will constitute both an academic integrity violation and a copyright violation. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to civil penalties and criminal liability. Violations of academic integrity may subject you to disciplinary action under University policies. 7

8 Course Schedule Week Date Topic Assignments Due* 1 8/25 Introductions, course info, Service Learning presentation 8/27 Service Learning Placement Orientation Meetings (not in regular classroom; sign up on MUServes for location) START steps 2 9/1 1. Clinical Psychology and Related Professions 9/3 2. History of Clinical Psychology 3 9/8 3. Abnormal Behavior 9/10 4. Abnormal Behavior 4 9/15 Library Instruction Course and Topic Research (Ellis 213) 9/17 5. Abnormal Behavior 5 9/22 6. Ethics and Cultural Sensitivity 9/24 Process Issues: S- L Placements Research Proposal due Friday, 9/25 by 11:59 PM 6 9/29 7. Diagnosis and Classification 10/1 8. Diagnosis and Classification 7 10/6 9. Treatment Effectiveness 10/8 10. Types of Therapy 8 10/ Types of Therapy 10/ Types of Therapy 9 10/ Working with Children 10/22 Process Issues: S- L Placements 10 10/27 Writing and Citing 10/29 Paper Assistance Meetings Lit Review, References due 10/30 by 11:59 PM 11 11/3 14. Working with Children 11/5 No class 12 11/ Forensic Psychology 11/ Forensic Psychology 13 11/ Endings and Psychotherapy 11/19 Process Issues: S- L Placements 14 11/24 Thanksgiving Recess No Class 11/26 Thanksgiving Recess No Class 15 12/1 Class Presentations 12/3 Class Presentations 16 12/8 Class Presentations 12/10 Class Presentations Finals Finals week Final APA- Style Paper Due Monday at 5 pm * Assignments are due by 11:59 PM CST unless otherwise noted. All research project papers are submitted via Blackboard. 8