ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY PSY401 COURSE SYLLABUS FALL 2017 COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides a survey of key areas of relevance in the study of psychopathology. As an introduction to mental illness, the course tackles the fundamental goals and applications of diagnosis and treatment as both scientific and philosophical pursuits INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION: Instructor: Dr. Jessica Rhodes Email: rhodesjd@westminster.edu Phone: 724.946.6240 Office: 134 Hoyt Science Resources Center Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday 9:30 10:30 AM; Tuesday 10:00 11:00 AM COURSE OBJECTIVES: The primary goals of this course are to provide a basic understanding of current and historical views on abnormality and to increase students basic research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Upon completion of the course, the student should: Develop a greater understanding of the nature, causes, and treatment of abnormal behavior Demonstrate an understanding of research methods used to investigate abnormal behavior Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze theories, research results, and treatments of abnormal behavior Recognize the diversity of both normal and abnormal human behavior REQUIRED TEXT: Kring, A.M., Johnson, S.L., Davison, G. & Neale, J. (2015). Abnormal Psychology (13 th Edition). Wiley Publishing
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY PSY401 Tentative Class Schedule Date Topic Chapter 8/29 Introduction to Psychopathology Chapter 1 8/31 Historical Overview Chapter 1 9/5 Current Paradigms in Psychopathology Chapter 2 9/7 Diagnosis & Assessment Chapter 3 9/12 Research Methods in Psychopathology Chapter 4 9/14 Discussion Group: Psychotherapy Outcome Research Reading 9/19 Exam 1 9/21 Mood Disorders Chapter 5 9/26 Anxiety Disorders Chapter 6 9/28 Obsessive-Compulsive-Related & Trauma-Related Disorders Chapter 7 10/3 Dissociative Disorders & Somatic Symptom-Related Disorders Chapter 8 Research Paper Thesis Statement Due 10/5 Discussion Group: Malingering & Factitious Disorder Reading 10/10 Schizophrenia Chapter 9 10/12 Exam 2 10/17 Substance Use Disorders Chapter 10 10/19 Discussion Group: SUDs and Co-Occurring Diagnoses Reading 10/26 Eating Disorders Chapter 11 10/31 Sexual Disorders Chapter 12 11/2 Disorders of Childhood Chapter 13 Research Paper Outline and Literature Review Due 11/7 Late Life and Neurocognitive Disorders Chapter 14 11/9 Personality Disorders Chapter 15 11/14 Exam 3 11/16 Legal and Ethical Issues Chapter 16 11/21 Discussion and Review (Application Assignment/Research Paper) 11/28 Application Assignment Presentations 11/30 Application Assignment Presentations 12/5 Application Assignment Presentations Research Paper Due 12/7 Discussion and Review 12/11 FINAL EXAM 3:00-5:30PM
COURSE COMPONENTS: Discussion Groups: Throughout the course (see Tentative Schedule), outside readings will be assigned and discussed in class. The purpose of these exercises is to branch out into current research and issues within the field of psychopathology. Readings will be posted on D2L, and students are expected to read the material prior to class and to come prepared with their thoughts, questions, and critical reviews. At the beginning of these class periods, students will be required to turn in a brief review of the reading (less than a page) that includes their reactions to the reading and any questions/thoughts that the reading generates for them. Examinations: There will be three midterm examinations and one final examination. The midterm exams will consist of both objective and subjective items (including short answer and essay questions) covering material from the text and lecture covered since the previous midterm. The final exam will be comprehensive and will likewise include both objective and subjective items. Your overall exam score will be comprised of your THREE highest scores. For example, if you are happy with your scores on Exams 1-3, you may choose to not take the final exam. Your exam average will come from your THREE HIGHEST exam scores. Because of this, there will be NO MAKE-UP exams offered. If you have a conflict with an exam, you must notify me AT LEAST 24 hours in advance to schedule an alternative time. Research Paper: You will identify a topic in abnormal psychology (of interest to you) as the basis of a research paper. The key to this assignment is finding a topic that is intrinsically interesting to you and that you can write passionately about. The primary idea behind the paper is to find something of interest, dig into the research, and intelligently communicate what you find. The goal of this assignment is to critically evaluate a current issue in abnormal psychology. The paper will be 10 to 12 pages long (NOT including title and reference pages). Your information should ONLY come from peer-reviewed research articles, books, and other primary resources. Your paper should be written and referenced using APA style. A preliminary concept description and draft will be due during the semester (see Tentative Schedule). A more comprehensive rubric will be provided in class. Application Assignment: The goal of the application assignment is to reinforce material covered in class (and the readings) by applying a specific concept to some person, observation or event outside of class. The topics covered in this course are very likely to affect each and every one of us in some way or another. Mental health issues are prominent in the media and in the world around us. These are prime opportunities for the application assignment. You are required to complete one of these assignments. You may choose any assignment from a list (at the end of this document) that will be provided or arrange for a comparable alternate assignment with the instructor. The content of the assignments should coincide with the material covered in class. Each assignment will involve a 10-15 minute oral presentation to the class at the end of the semester (see Tentative Schedule) and should include a handout of some type.
GRADING Assignment: Points Grades will be assigned using the following scale: Exams (3 highest grades) 300 A 555-600 C 435-458 Research Paper 170 A- 537-554 C- 417-434 Discussion Reviews 30 B+ 519-536 D+ 399-416 Application Assignments 100 B 495-518 D 375-398 B- 477-494 D- 357-374 TOTAL 600 C+ 459-476 F 356 Attendance: While attendance is not required, it will be tracked and is highly recommended. Material will be covered in class that will be on the exams that will not necessarily be in the textbook. If you miss a class, it will be your responsibility to get the information covered. Dr. Rhodes will not provide powerpoints/lecture notes. Academic Integrity: The issue of academic integrity is taken very seriously at Westminster College. Students are expected to abide by the College Policy on Academic Integrity. The policy can be found at: http://www.westminster.edu/acad/pdf/undergraduate_catalog.pdf. The most flagrant violation of academic integrity is cheating on an exam. Students caught participating in such an activity, either for their own or for another s benefit, will receive a course grade of F, with no opportunity for the student to receive a W or WF ; there will be absolutely no exceptions. Quotes, data, or ideas taken from another source MUST cite that source fully and correctly. If you don t understand how to do this, please ask. Work that is not the student s own (i.e. copied from an external source, a classmate or class material) is considered plagiarism, and will result in a course grade of F, with no opportunity for the student to receive a W or WF ; there will be absolutely no exceptions. Other forms of scholarly dishonesty will be dealt with in a like manner. There may include, but are not limited to: Copying/turning in another s work (e.g. a fellow student s, a past student s, work from the internet) as one s own Lending of one s work to another so that he/she may turn it in as his/her own Inappropriate input from any source for written assignments. This can include asking someone to correct or identify errors. It can also include any verbal answers received inappropriately Stealing class materials from students, the professor, or from the library Inhibiting another student from using library materials or other resources necessary for the class Falsifying a journal entry Student Support Services: Students learn in many ways, and often have unique obstacles to overcome in mastering college level concepts and skills. You may already have discovered a specific learning challenge, or you may do so during this course. In either case, please let your instructor know so that appropriate learning and assessment alternatives can be used to perform to your capabilities. Westminster provides a number of support services. The Learning Center: Director, Sally Huey Office of Disability Resources: Director, Faith A. Craig Diversity Services: Director, Jeannette Hubbard Library Instruction: Director, Erin Smit
Abnormal Psychology - Application Assignments Listed below are several potential assignments related to topics to be covered in this class. You are required to do ONE application assignment. You may choose ONE of the assignments below or create one of your own. Although the final result of these assignments is generally flexible, you are strongly encouraged to seek feedback and suggestions on the direction of these assignments. You must present your work in oral form. Projects should be done individually. Creativity, thoroughness, and clarity of presentation are valued very highly. Assignments will be presented near the end of the semester as specified on the class schedule. Abnormal Psychology in Music and Literature: There are many examples in contemporary and classical music and literature that reflect themes and issues relevant to Abnormal Psychology. Choose a particular theme or issue and present how it is reflected in either music or literature. Provide multiple examples and try to integrate the material. A multimedia presentation (particularly for music) is possible and encouraged. Abnormal Psychology in the Media: Find several sources of information in the media (e.g., newspaper, talk shows, TV programs, films etc.) that deal directly with mental illness. Discuss the quality of the coverage, the accuracy/inaccuracy of the images presented, the assumptions made about mental illness, and an overall evaluation of the coverage. Be scientific, back up your arguments with research literature. How does this coverage affect those suffering from the particular form of mental illness covered? Could you present the information in a better way? How? Religion and Mental Illness: Give examples and discuss how mental illness or abnormal behavior was portrayed in sacred religious writings (any). How was it viewed? Did these views influence the acceptability of certain types of treatment? How does religion view mental illness today? Give concrete examples and evidence for your conclusions. Imagine going back in time with the knowledge we have today. How would you have been treated? DSM-5 Diagnosis and Fictional Characters: Select a fictional character from television, movies or English literature and come up with a tentative DSM-5 diagnosis (using all relevant specifiers). Be sure to provide evidence to justify your judgments that the necessary criteria have been met. Real-life personalities are also acceptable, but you must have the instructor's approval before proceeding. Cultural Perspectives in Abnormal Psychology: Virtually all behavior is influenced to some extent by cultural/societal factors. Choose a particular theme or issue in Abnormal Psychology and discuss how this theme or issue varies across different cultures. Your best bet is to choose more specific themes/issues and focus on specific cultures or particular types of cultures (e.g., individualism vs. collectivism). Again use specific examples to back up your statements.