Course Syllabus - Abnormal Psychology

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY SPRING 2009 : PSY 30 ● MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY 9:30 A – 2:05 P Instructor: Althea G. Maduramente, M.A. Email: [email protected] Office and Hours: Personal Counseling Office (James Hall 0203A) Tuesday 11:00 A – 4:00 P REQUIRED TEXTS: Durand, V.M. & Barlow, D.H. (2006). Essentials of Abnormal Psychology, 4th Edition. CA: Wadsworth COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to the description, classification, and academic study of human psychopathology. Through readings, lectures, and written assignments, students will learn to conceptualize psychopathology as a complex interaction among biological, psychological, and environmental influences. Using first person narratives and case studies, students will develop an appreciation for the impact of mental illness on its sufferers and those around them. We will also explore various theoretical approaches to the causes and treatments of mental disorders, taking care to frame the diagnosis of individual psychopathology within appropriate situational and socio-cultural contexts. Lastly, students will gain familiarity with the dominant research methods used to advance knowledge in the field of abnormal psychology as they look for scientific answers to questions such as: • What makes a behavior "abnormal?" • What are the major psychological disorders? • How do professionals make diagnoses? • What are the causes of psychological disorders? • What are effective treatment strategies? • How does society perceive (and misperceive) psychopathology? COURSE SCHEDULE: Date 1/ 26

Topic Introduction

Reading

Other important information

1/28 & 2/02

Abnormal Psychology in Historical Context

Chapter 1

2/04& 2/09

An Integrative Approach to Psychopathology

2/11 & 2/18

Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Research Methods

Chapter 3

2/23 & 2/25

Anxiety Disorders Review for Exam I Handouts

Chapter 4

3/02

Exam I

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3/04& 3/09

Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

Chapter 5

3/11 & 3/16

Mood Disorders and Suicide

Chapter 6

Last day to file for Spr09 Graduation 3/16

3/18

Eating and Sleep Disorders

Chapter 8

Assignment I Due 3/18

Last day to add a course 2/02 Chapter 2 Last day to file ABS Exams 2/09 Last day to drop a course 2/17 First day to apply for W grade 2/18 Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4

3/23 & 3/25

Eating and Sleep Disorders

Chapter 8

3/30 4/01

Substance-Related Disorders Review for Exam II Handouts

Chapter 10

4/06

Exam II

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4/20 & 4/22

Personality Disorders

Chapter 11

Schizophrenia and Related Psychotic Disorders

Chapter 12

4/27 4/29 & 5/04

Chapters 5, 6, 8, and 10 Last day to resolve Inc and ABS grades 4/07

Assignment II Due 5/04

5/06 & 5/11

Developmental and Cognitive Disorders

Chapter 13

5/13

Mental Health Services: Legal and Ethical Issues Handout and Review for Final

Chapter 14

5/18

Final Exam

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Student Faculty Evaluations Chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: EXAM I AND II ASSIGNMENTS I AND II ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION FINAL EXAM • •

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3/02 AND 4/06 3/18 AND 5/04 ONGOING 5/18

40% (20% EACH) 30% (15% EACH) 5% 25%

Exams will consist of a combination of multiple-choice and short answer questions, drawn from material presented in the readings and during class. Grades will not be graded on a curve. Failure to attend an exam will result in a failing grade for that exam. There are no make-ups, but if you have a valid and verifiable excuse for missing an exam (i.e. religious observation, medical emergencies, or imminent death) I will drop the lowest grade. Additionally, every exam will have an extra credit section testing your attention in class, so it would be beneficial for you to attend all classes and exams. The assignments will be distributed approximately two weeks prior to their due dates and turned in by 11:59 PM of that day. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each day late. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Please make a strong effort to be on time. Students are responsible for the information provided during class. If absent, please be sure to get the notes and any handouts from that day’s lecture. Every student is allowed 2 unexcused absences. University's policy on Academic Integrity: Brooklyn College supports an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for implementing that policy can be found at this site: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. Center for Student Disability Services: In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at 718-951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her. All students can and should thoroughly read the 2007-2010 Brooklyn College Bulletin, especially pp. 35-51, pp. 5259, and pp. 74-83, for complete information on academic regulations of the College.