Psy. 425 Spring 2016
Maria Hess PhD, MFT
Office Hours: Stevenson 3083. Tuesdays 11:00-12:45, Wednesdays 11:45 –
12:15 Contact Information: SSU: 664-2413. Private office: 824 – 9902.
Email: maria.hess@sonoma.edu
Psychopathology
“The wholeness of the body is organic meaning that if one part of the body
suffers the whole body suffers. The same is true of the psyche or personality. If
a portion of our true nature is denied, we suffer throughout.”
- John Sanford
Course Description: In this course we will study the broad spectrum of mental
and behavioral disorders. Emphasis will be placed on mental health assessment
and etiology of dis-ease using Object Relations Theory, lecture, guest speakers,
discussion, contemporary videos, and the DSM5.
Course Goals: The broader goals for this class are that you as a student will:
* Develop a basic understanding of several emotional disturbances and their
etiologies.
* Experience working in small groups to enhance learning.
* Develop a working relationship with the DSM 5 as a diagnostic tool.
* Learn the importance of culture and diversity in assessment.
* Gain experience with compassion, identifying and assessing various mental
disorders.
* Examine what constitutes mental health.
* Relax and have fun learning interesting stuff.
Course Objectives: By the end of the course you should be able to:
1. Describe different theories and concepts about the development and course of
abnormal behavior.
2. Use the coding system of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
3. Diagnose psychological disorders from case studies (films).
4. Synthesize culturally contextual factors with diagnostic assessment.
5. Define concepts and terms that represent the shared language of
mental health practice.
6. Demonstrate interactive competence with the use of the Mental Status Exam.
Classroom Environment: Unless exempted by signed documentation from
Student Disability Services, the use of a laptop is prohibited. Please turn off your
cell phones and any other digital assists. Text messaging, answering cell
phones, or other electronic distractions are not acceptable in class and will
not be tolerated. You are welcome to bring drinks, but eating is not
appreciated in the classroom. Please inform the instructor if you plan to audio
record. No video recording or picture taking allowed.
Grading: You will be graded on an A-F basis, with no incompletes. Grades are
based on:
(1) In-class review (15 reviews at 2 points each) 30 pts
(2) Cumulative course review
25 pts
(3) Case presentation paper
35 pts.
(4) Video and MSE assessment
10 pts.
Total points = 100
Assignments
#1. Weekly In-class Review: Students are to do the assigned reading, watch
the assigned videos and be prepared for in-class examination and amplification
of the material. The modality of these weekly reviews will vary; sometimes they
will be written questions, other times a facilitated debate or discussion. The
reviews will focus on in-class material. (15 reviews at 2 pts. each)
#2. Cumulative Class Review: This cumulative review will include brief essay
questions requiring your theoretical comprehension, understanding of definitions,
core concepts and terms, and ability to elucidate using psychological thinking,
You will receive a study guide. May 10 (25 pts.)
#3. The Case Presentation Paper is the cumulative work for the semester. The
student is invited to: Take an adult person you are fascinated by; someone from
history, a fictional character, an athlete, a performer, yourself, or a client, and
present them two ways: (1) Subjectively- so the reader may have a sense of the
person from the inside. What is it like to be them? (2) Objectively- a clinical
presentation of the same person. Include and present identifying data, dynamic
formulation and DSM 5 diagnosis.
An important aspect of this assignment is how you show your understanding
of the clinical concepts by using citations to reference the course material that
supports your learning. You may reference the professor only if the reference
comes from lecture alone, theoretical referencing must come from primary or
secondary sources.
Most students are challenged by this assignment, as it demands an
integration of clinical, academic and personal understanding. You are welcome to
make an appointment with the instructor if you have questions or concerns.
It is highly recommended that you do not wait until the last minute to attempt
this project. It will command some effort on your part! The quality of writing is
included in the overall grading of your work. Please use the Writing Center to
address some of the concerns you may have regarding your writing skills. Due:
Apr. 26th, 8 - 10 pages, hard copy, proof read, double-spaced, include citations
and references, no more than 2 web-based citations, use APA format. (35 pts.)
LATE or EMAILED PAPERS ARE NOT ACCEPTED!
#4 Video and MSE assessment: Watch the assigned video. Each student
should download a MSE worksheet from my home
pagewww.sonoma.edu/users/h/hessm and complete one for each of the five
video clients we assess. No late worksheets will be accepted Due: at onset of
class on the same date as video. (5 videos w/ MSE. 2 pts each.)
Attendance and Participation: Since participation in assessment and learning
groups is such an integral part of this experience, your attendance plays an
important role in your learning. In addition, I do not lecture off of your reading
material making the in-class information, once missed, difficult to recapture.
Students are responsible for retrieving the content of a missed class.
Absences, tardies and early departures will affect your grade. This is an upper
division, MA preparatory course and students are expected to come to class
prepared. Each student is expected to do the reading and view the assigned
video by the date indicated on the syllabus.
Required Texts:
Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology. (8th Ed.) Ronald Comer
All required and recommended texts are available on-line at Amazon,
Half.com, Betterworldbooks.com, at SSU bookstore and Northlight Books across
from campus.
The handouts for this class are available on my homepage:
www.sonoma.edu/users/h/hessm. Handouts are also available at the reserve
desk in the library.
* The ease of your learning will be greatly enhanced by doing the assigned
reading. I will occasionally send you articles, or youtube videos to inform, or
inspire you.
Strongly Recommended Texts:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders, Fifth Ed.
American Psychiatric Association. (DSM)
Toxic Psychiatry Peter Briggin
Self and Others N. Gregory Hamilton
Trauma and Recovery Judith Herman
Oneness and Separateness. Louise Kaplan
Drama of the Gifted Child Alice Miller
Object Relations and Self Psychology Michael St. Clair
Your Body Keeps the Score. Bessel Van Der Kolk
Anatomy of an Epidemic Robert Whitaker
Reading and Video Schedule: Include in your reading the corollary text in the
DSM. All assessment videos are available at Amazon, Netflix, SSU media center,
or other media vendors.
All on-line videos are to be viewed by the date indicated below. Watch them
before class so you can participate in our discussions.
A disclaimer:
"The California Faculty Association is in the midst of a difficult contract dispute
with management. It is possible that the faculty union will call a strike or other work
stoppage this term. I will inform the class as soon as possible of any disruption to our
class meeting schedule."
Wk 1.Jan 26
Introductions; Syllabus as container.
Discussion/ lecture: What is Abnormal Behavior?
On Suffering.
2.Feb 2
Comer: Ch.1- 2 History and Approach
Handout: The Dictionary of Disorder.
Discussion/lecture: Remedy, Cure, Healing. Intuition,
Perception, & Guessing. Good Belly.
On-Line video: Elyn Saks; A tale of mental illness from the
Inside.
http://www.ted.com/talks/elyn_saks_seeing_mental_illness.html
3.
9 Comer: Ch. 3 - 4 Models and Clinical Assessment
DSM introduction
Handout: Scars that Don’t Heal.
On-line video: Dr. Brene Brown. The power of vulnerability at
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html
4.
16 Comer: Ch. 5 Disorders of Trauma and Stress.
Handout: Theory of parent-infant relationship.
On-line video: Dr. Gabor Mate Wholeness and Health or Disease,
ADD, Addiction, Violence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Earq-eR3MQI
Adverse Childhood Experiences
5.
23 Comer: Ch.14-15 Schizophrenia
Handout: Out of the Ashes.
6. Mar 1 Comer: Ch.16 Personality Disorders
Handout: The Narcissistic Parent.
On-line video: Dr. Brene Brown. Listening to Shame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psN1DORYYV0
In- class assessment: Ordinary People (Beth)
7.
8
Comer: Ch.12 Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
In-class assessment: This Boy’s Life (Dwight)
8.
15
Spring Break!
9.
22
Comer: Ch. 8 - 10 Mood Disorders and Suicide
On-line article at beyondmeds.com Antidepressant Depression
by Robert Whitaker
Handouts: Meds Alone Couldn’t Bring Robert Back
Suicide Notes
In-class assessment: Lars and the Real Girl (Lars).
10.
29 Comer: Ch.11 Eating Disorders
11. Apr 5 Comer: Ch. 6 Anxiety Disorders
Handout: How Therapy Helps
In-class assessment: Reign Over Me (Charlie).
12.
12 Comer: Ch. 7 Disorders featuring Somatic Symptoms
Mental Health Services: Legal and Ethical Issues.
In-class assessment: American History X (Derek)
13.
19 Comer: Ch. 17 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
14.
26 Comer: Ch.18 Disorders of Aging and Cognition
In-class assessment: Memento (Leonard)
On-line video: Jill Bolte Taylor’s Stoke of Insight. Jill Bolte
Taylor
http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.htm
Case Presentation Papers Due
15. May 3 Comer: Ch.13 Sexual and Gender Identity D/O
Guest Speaker: Sarah Marshall
16.
10 Cumulative Review
17.
17 Final meeting: 2 – 3:50 Finish up and good-byes.
Academic Integrity: It is the responsibility of each student to be apprised of the
requirements of the psychology department and university regarding academic
honesty. You are expected to know what constitutes plagiarism. The parameters
are outlined in your student handbook and online at
http://www.sonoma.edu/psychology/AcademicHonestyPolicy.html.
Access for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities who require
classroom accommodations should meet with me (within the first 2 weeks of
class) during my office hours to make these arrangements. Please bring
accommodations authorization from the Disability Resource Center with you.
Disruptive Student Policy: Students should familiarize themselves with the
Disruptive Student Policy http://www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs/policies/Disruptive.html
A code of conduct in the classroom is necessary for respectful discourse, safety
is required for sharing, and learning. Emotional terrorism, hate mongering, or
other behaviors of intimidation will not be tolerated, and policy will be enforced.