REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(S)

Comer, R.J. (2003). Abnormal Psychology (5th ed.) New York: Worth.

  <>
COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course serves as an introduction to the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of psychiatric disorders with an emphasis on different perspectives on mental illness.

  <>
COURSE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR B.A./B.S. (or C/C or I/O M.S.) PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE

Students will be able to:
9.   compare and contrast differing theoretical perspectives within and among
      the differing disciplines of psychology
10. describe the impact of society and culture on human diversity, especially as
      it relates to gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status
12. use appropriate computer technology (e.g., statistical software, word
      processing programs, internet resources, etc.) to complete relevant
      assignments
13. communicate and present psychological concepts, principles, and theories
      clearly and effectively, both in oral and written form

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Students will define the following types of disorders:
a. Anxiety Disorders
b. Somatoform Disorders
c. Dissociative Disorders
d. Mood Disorders
e. Schizophrenia
f. Personality Disorders
g. Substance Use Disorders
h. Childhood Disorders
i. Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders
2. Students will demonstrate a gross understanding of the major disorders under the categories listed above.
3. Students will be able to name and describe various methods of scientific inquiry utilized in assessing and diagnosing psychiatric classification of disorders.
4. Students will be able to describe the general ethical and legal issues relating to psychiatric diagnosis and treatment (including duty to warn, commitment, and confidentiality issues).

COURSE EVALUATION
Exams: There will be four unit exams (see calendar below for dates and chapters to be covered) for this course. Each exam is worth 100 points (25% of your grade). The fourth of these exams will be administered during the regularly scheduled final exam period. If you should miss an exam (due to a documented medical or family emergency), you will take it during the final exam period. Graduate students will take essay-based exams.

Assignments: You are responsible for completing four of the six offered assignments this term. Each completed assignment will be worth 25 points. If you choose to complete more than four required assignments, the four highest grades will be put toward the overall grade in the course. Keep in mind that the greater depth and effort demonstrated in completing these assignments, the better the grade.

Grading Criteria: Four exams worth 100 points each plus four assignments worth 25 points each for a total of 500 possible points.
A = 90% = 450-500 points B = 80% = 400-449 points
C = 70% = 350-399 points D = 60% = 300-349 points
F = 299 points or less

ATTENDANCE POLICY

VSU policy requires class attendance.  Class roll will not be taken, so you are on your honor to attend class.  It will be very difficult to do well on exams without class attendance.  Changes to class calendar may be announced in class, and you will be expected to be aware of them.  In addition, quizzes for extra credit may be given and will not be made up if you miss class.

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING POLICY:

The full text of this policy is available in the College of Education Dean’s Office, EC room 227.  The following penalties will be enforced, as stated in the Policy:

FIRST OFFENSE: The student will earn a “0” on the assignment, test, project, etc. 

SECOND OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course.            

THIRD OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course, and further action involving referral of the matter (with documentation) to the appropriate college (university) officials within the administrative structure will be taken. (Please see page 39 of the VSU Student Handbook.)

  <>
SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT

Valdosta State University, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will make arrangements for students who require special assistance due to a disability.  If you require some assistance, do not hesitate to make me aware of it.  Students requesting classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities located in room 1115 Nevins Hall. The phone numbers are 245-2498 (voice) and 219-1348 (tty).

  <>
INSTRUCTOR <>
David Wasieleski, Ph.D.
#14 Psychology Building
Office hours:     MW 10:00-11:00 am; 2:30-4:30
                        TR 2:30-4:30 pm
Phone: 333-5620
Email: dwasiele@valdosta.edu
(Available at other times by appointment)

COURSE SCHEDULE

8/15: Chapter 1: Introduction
8/17: Chapter 1: Introduction

8/19: Chapter 2: Research in Abnormal Psychology

8/22: Chapter 2: Research in Abnormal Psychology

8/24: Chapter 2: Research in Abnormal Psychology

Assignment 1 Due

8/26: Chapter 3: Models of Abnormality

8/29: Chapter 3: Models of Abnormality

8/31: Chapter 3: Models of Abnormality

9/2: Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

9/7: Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

9/9: Chapter 4: Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Assignment 2 Due

9/12: Exam 1 (Chapters 1-4)

9/14: Chapter 5: Anxiety Disorders

9/16: Chapter 5: Anxiety Disorders

9/19: Chapter 7: Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders

Assignment 3 Due

9/21: Chapter 7: Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders
9/23: Chapter 8: Mood Disorders

9/26: Chapter 8: Mood Disorders

9/28: Chapter 8: Mood Disorders

9/30: Chapter 9: Treatments for Mood Disorders

10/3: Chapter 9: Treatments for Mood Disorders

10/5: Exam 2 (Chapters 5, 7, 8, 9)

10/7: Chapter 12: Substance-Related Disorders

10/10: Chapter 12: Substance-Related Disorders
10/12: Chapter 12: Substance-Related Disorders
10/14: Chapter 13: Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders
10/19: Chapter 13: Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders

Assignment 4 Due

10/21: Chapter 13: Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders

10/24: Chapter 18: Disorders of Aging and Cognition

10/26: Chapter 18: Disorders of Aging and Cognition

10/28: Chapter 17: Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

10/31: Chapter 17: Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

11/2: Chapter 17: Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
11/4: Exam 3 (Chapters 12, 13, 17, & 18)

Assignment 5 Due

11/7: Chapter 14&15: Schizophrenia and Treatments

11/9: Chapter 14&15: Schizophrenia and Treatments

11/11: Chapter 14&15: Schizophrenia and Treatments

11/14: Chapter 14&15: Schizophrenia and Treatments
11/16: Chapter 14&15: Schizophrenia and Treatments

11/18: Chapter 16: Personality Disorders

11/21: Chapter 16: Personality Disorders

Assignment 6 Due

11/28: Chapter 16: Personality Disorders

11/30: Chapter 19: Law, Society, and the Mental Health Profession

12/2: Chapter 19: Law, Society, and the Mental Health Profession

12/5: Chapter 19: Law, Society, and the Mental Health Profession

Friday, December 9, 2:45-4:45 p.m.: Exam 4 (Chapters 14, 15, 16, & 19)

Assignments

Assignment 1: In 1960, Dr. Thomas Szasz published his controversial piece, “The Myth of Mental Illness.” Read it at the following web site: http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Szasz/myth.htm. Write a 2-3 page (double-spaced) commentary discussing his position as well as your own regarding his arguments.

Assignment 2: Review some of the information at the following web site: http://www.oregoncounseling.org/diagnosis/criticismofdsm.htm. This site presents the criticisms offered by Dr. Michael G. Conner of the DSM diagnostic system. Write a 2-3 page (double-spaced) commentary discussing his position as well as your own regarding his arguments.

Assignment 3: Construct a hierarchy of fear-inducing situations that might be suitable as part of a systematic desensitization procedure for treatment of a phobia. The list should be approximately 8-12 items long, in ascending order of anxiety-provocativeness, and should be written specifically, as if being presented to the client during the desensitization process. You should also specifically describe the nature of the phobia.

Assignment 4: A perpetual debate in society is the argument regarding whether marijuana use should be legalized. Using online resources (conduct your own search and be sure to cite sources in your paper), write a 2-3 page commentary arguing your opinion on this issue. Be sure to also represent the opposing side when making your argument. Include issues such as cost to taxpayers, medical use, and research on long-term effects.

Assignment 5: Review some of the information at the following web site: http://www.adhdfraud.org/. This site presents Dr. Fred Braughman’s assertion that ADHD is a medical fraud. Write a 2-3 page (double-spaced) commentary discussing his position as well as your own regarding his arguments. Please note that this assignment will require you to sift through his commentaries on news articles to discern his perspective.

Assignment 6: Watch one of the following movies, and write a 2-3 page (double-spaced) commentary describing the symptoms of schizophrenia demonstrated by the main character. Be specific regarding how the portrayed symptoms reflect symptoms covered in the text and in class. Also describe symptoms are not represented in the film?
A Beautiful Mind

The Fisher King

K-Pax

 

 

 

Program	Course	Program Outcome	Activity	Assessment
B.A./B.S. Psychology Degree	Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 3400)	9.  Compare and contrast differing theoretical perspectives within and among the differing disciplines of psychology.	Lecture, Discussion, Assigned text readings, assignments	Exams and assignments. The instructor uses appropriate grading criteria to evaluate students’ work.
		10. Describe the impact of society and culture on human diversity, especially as it relates to gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.	Lecture, Discussion, Assigned text readings	Exams and assignments.  The instructor uses appropriate grading criteria to evaluate students’ work.
		12. Use appropriate computer technology (e.g., statistical software, word processing programs, internet resources, etc.) to complete relevant assignments.	Lecture, Discussion, Assigned text readings, assignments	Exams and assignments.  The instructor uses appropriate grading criteria to evaluate students’ work.
		13. Communicate and present psychological concepts, principles, and theories clearly and effectively, both in oral and written form.	Lecture, Discussion, Assigned text readings, assignments	Exams and assignments.  The instructor uses appropriate grading criteria to evaluate students’ work.