Psychology 152 Abnormal Psychology May 24 – June 23, 2005

Psychology 152
Abnormal Psychology
May 24 – June 23, 2005
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Dewey 212
Instructor: Amit Bernstein
Office Hours: Wednesday 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., or by appointment
Office: 329 John Dewey Hall
Phone: 656-4265
email: [email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will provide a broad survey of what is considered to be disordered or abnormal
behavior, also known as psychopathology. The primary focus of the course is the description of
various behaviors, syndromes and disorders. In addition, we will examine psychopathology
research, etiological theories, models of assessment, classification and diagnosis, as well as
treatment. Emphasis will be placed on a scientific, empirical orientation. We will learn this
material by means of lectures, case study presentations, and structured discussions.
READINGS
Most of the assigned reading will be contained in one required text. The text is available at the
UVM bookstore. Additional readings will be made available when they are assigned.
Davison, G. C., Neal, J. M., & Kring, A. M. (2005). Abnormal
Psychology with Cases (9th edition). New York: Wiley.
EVALUATION (GRADING)
CLASS ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION 10 POINTS
Class attendance and participation includes attending all classes and demonstrating evidence of
having completed assigned readings through active and thoughtful involvement in class
discussions. These are not free points, and must be earned.
Students may miss one class without any effect on their grade. Students who miss more than one
class (unless due to extended illness) will lose 2 points per missed class. If students miss more
than one class due to an extended illness, it is their responsibility to contact the instructor to
determine whether and how missed material can be made up. Students who miss a class are
responsible for contacting other students to obtain notes and other materials. Please do not
contact the instructor regarding these materials. You will also be held responsible for any
changes or additions to the syllabus, which are announced in class. There are virtually no
satisfactory excuses for missing an exam.
Please notify the instructor if you must miss class or an exam because of a religious
holiday. I try to schedule exams around major religious holidays. If, however, I have
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failed to do so, notify me in advance and a make-up exam will be arranged. Similarly, if
you must miss class to observe a religious holiday, notify the instructor in advance and
arrangements can be made to get lecture notes.
CASE STUDY PRESENTATIONS 15 POINTS
Each student will be assigned one case study from the required text. Each student will be
responsible for (a) presenting that case study to the class using a power-point presentation and
(b) then facilitating a structured discussion regarding the case study. The case study presentations
will be assigned on the first day of class. The case study presentations will occur on the class
date during which the relevant topic is covered.
ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS 25 POINTS
Two written essays (3 typed pages) will be assigned (see schedule below for due dates),
each worth 12.5% of your final grade. Students should have completed their essay
assignments by class time and be prepared to discuss the assignment in class. Each
assignment is worth 10 points. No late assignments will be accepted.
EXAMS 50 POINTS
There will be two non-cumulative exams, each worth 25% of the final grade – one mid-term
exam and one final exam. The mid-term exam will cover material from the first half of the
course (i.e., May 24 – June 2), while the final exam will focus on the latter half of the course but
will include questions relating to the entire course (i.e., June 7 – June 22). Exams will consist of
multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. The exams will cover both the readings and
the lecture. It is important to note that much of the lecture information will not be in the assigned
readings. You are responsible for material in any of the lectures and any of the readings listed on
the syllabus or announced in class. In order to do well on the exams, you should keep current on
the readings and attend class. It is very easy to get behind on the readings; you should have the
readings completed prior to the class period for which they are assigned.
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Final Grades will be assigned as follows:
Class Participation
Case Study Presentation
Essay #1
Essay #2
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
98-100 points
93-97 points
90-92 points
87-89 points
83-86 points
80-82 points
77-79 points
73-76 points
70-72 points
67-69 points
63-66 points
60-62 points
0-59 points
10 points
15 points
12.5 points
12.5 points
25 points
25 points
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Extra Help
If you are concerned about your performance in the class, immediately see the instructor and
develop a plan to improve. Coming to me after the class is over will not result in a grade change.
Grades will be changed only if a mistake was made in the grading of exams or the recording of
grades. Help is available to you during the course in the form of my office hours or by making an
appointment with me. I can help you with how and what to study. If you do not take advantage
of this assistance, do not expect a sympathetic hearing when the course is over.
Disability Accommodations
Students requiring special assistance due to a disability are asked to contact the instructor on the
first day of class so that reasonable accommodation for the disability can be determined and
arranged.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF TOPICS, READINGS, ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS, &
EXAMS (Subject to change at instructor’s discretion. Changes will be announced in class. You
are responsible for knowing what changes have been made.)
DATE
May 24
TOPIC
CHAPTER(S)
Course Introduction
Historical & Scientific
Considerations
3
1
May 25
Current Paradigms in
Psychopathology & Tx
2
May 26
Classification & Diagnosis
Clinical Assessment Procedures
3
4
May 31
Research Methods
5
June 1
Anxiety Disorders
6
June 2
Mood Disorders
10
Jun 7
Dissociative Disorders
Schizophrenia
Essay #1 Due
7 (p. 185-196)
11
June 8
Eating Disorders
9
June 9
MID-TERM EXAM (May 24-June 2)
Substance-Related Disorders
12
June 14
Personality Disorders
13
June 15
Disorders of Childhood
15
June 16
Aging & Psychological Disorders
16
June 21
Legal & Ethical Issues
Essay #2 Due
18
June 22
OPEN (e.g., catch up, review, elective
topic)
June 23
FINAL EXAM (June 7 – June 22)
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