ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
FALL 2008
TTh 1:00–2:20 PM
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
OFFICE HOURS:
PHONE:
E-MAIL:
WEB SITE:
Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D
RS 279
5:00-6:00 PM MW and 10:30-11:30AM TTh
(916) 558-2154
pitmang@scc.losrios.edu
http://web.scc.losrios.edu/pitmang
Course Description
This course is intended to familiarize you with the symptoms, causes, and treatment of
the various mental disorders. We will consider the range of disorders from a variety of
perspectives, including but not limited to psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral,
humanistic, biological, and sociocultural. Throughout the course, we will pay close
attention to the interplay between psychopathological states and issues of gender, race,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, and social class. We will also address current events and
controversial issues pertaining to psychological disorders and treatment. Critical thinking
is an essential component of the learning process, and I encourage you to hone your
critical thinking skills by asking questions, presenting your own ideas, and contributing to
class discussion.
Required Texts
Hansell, James and Damour, Lisa. (2005). Abnormal Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Recommended Text
American Psychiatric Association. (2002). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders – Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
**Although this text is optional, it is STRONGLY recommended if you plan to pursue a
career in this area. You can find this book at any bookstore or on Amazon.com. There is
also a mini-version of this text that is fine to use as well. Lastly, you can access an online
version of the DSM-IV-TR at
http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/dsm4TRclassification.htm.
Course Requirements
Attendance: It is expected that you attend class regularly. Most classes will include
discussions, lectures, demonstrations, videos, and class exercises designed to increase
your understanding of the material. Missing class will mean missing out on these
learning opportunities, and will likely result in poorer performance in the course. I will
take attendance at every class by passing around a roll sheet. Each missed class will
result in a loss of 5 attendance points. Those points add up – so make a point of attending
every class meeting! If you have a serious illness or problem and need to miss class,
please contact me as soon as possible.
Reading: It is expected that you complete all reading assignments PRIOR to coming to
class. Additionally, it is expected that you demonstrate an understanding of the material
through active participation and contribution to class discussion. Please stay on top of
the reading – it is very easy to fall behind, and once you do fall behind it is difficult to
catch up. If you do not do the reading, I guarantee that you will do poorly in the class.
Exams: There will be three semester exams and one final exam. All exams will
include a combination of multiple-choice and short answer. There will be NO make-up
exams. However, I will drop one of the three semester exams. If you take all three
exams, your lowest exam grade will be dropped. If you miss one of the exams, that
missed exam will be dropped. Everyone is required to take the final exam. On exam
days, please come to class with a Scan-Tron #882 form and a #2 pencil. If you come to
class on exam day without these materials, you will not be allowed to take the exam until
you get these items.
Assignments: In this course, you will be required to complete two written
assignments. The first is what I called an “issues paper,” where you will be asked to
select a controversial issue in abnormal psychology, conduct research on this issue, and
formulate an informed opinion. The second assignment is a case analysis of a character
from a fictional, biographical, or autobiographical work. Each of these assignments is
described in more detail in your project packet (to be distributed).
Extra Credit: Several extra credit opportunities will be available to you throughout the
semester. These options include the following:
 SCC’s Counseling Services hosts a series of Mental Health Screening Days each
semester. Volunteers are needed to do a variety of tasks. Depending on your level
of involvement, you can earn between 10-25 extra credit points.
 We have a Psychology Club here on campus that is open to all SCC students. The
Psychology Club provides opportunities to meet other students with similar
interests, to learn more about different areas of psychology and career options,
and to participate in psychology-related activities. Depending on your level of
involvement, you can earn between 10-75 extra credit points.
 SCC and other colleges host psychology-related seminars, speakers, workshops,
etc. If you attend one of these events and turn in a thoughtful, well-written
summary and reaction paper, you will earn 20 extra credit points. You may
submit up to 2 reaction papers.
You may earn no more than 100 extra credit points.
Grades: Your grade will be based on the following components:
Class attendance/participation:
20%
200 points
Semester exams (2 of 3)
30% (15% each)
300 points
Issues paper
15%
150 points
Case analysis
15%
150 points
Final exam:
20%
200 points
TOTAL:
100%
1000 points
Extra credit
100 possible points
A
B
C
D
F
900-1000 points
800-899 points
700-799 points
600-699 points
less than 599 points
If you find that you are having difficulty with the course, or if you need to miss class due
to a serious illness or problem, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible.
Please do not wait until the end of the term to contact me – the earlier you speak to me,
the more likely we will be able to develop a plan to improve your grade. Additionally, if
you have a disability including “invisible” disabilities like chronic diseases and learning
disabilities, I encourage you to speak with me in order to discuss appropriate
accommodations.
Late Paper Policy
In my opinion, there are very few valid reasons for turning a paper or assignment in late.
Procrastination is not a valid excuse. Nor is having too much work from other classes. I
try to give as much advance notice about due dates, so you can plan accordingly. It is
probably becoming very clear that I strongly dislike receiving late papers. Because of
that, I have a very strict “late paper” policy: I will accept papers and assignments one day
after the due date, and I will lower the grade by one letter (so an “A” paper would receive
a “B”). When I say one day, I mean one real day, NOT one class session. So, for
example, if a paper is due on a Tuesday, I will accept any late papers on Wednesday, but
not on Thursday. I will not accept papers any later than that, unless there are extreme
circumstances such as personal illness or family emergencies.
Classroom Etiquette
In my opinion, students learn best when they are in an environment that challenges their
thinking, yet respects each and every individual. It is very difficult to learn if one doesn’t
feel respected and valued. It is perfectly fine (and encouraged!) to disagree with an idea
or to hold an opposing point of view; however, it is unacceptable to subject an individual
to personal attacks, put-downs, and insults. I ask that you refrain from the
aforementioned behaviors.
In the same vein, I like to create what I call a “safe zone” in my classroom. A “safe
zone” is a place that is respectful of all people regardless of sexual orientation, ethnic
background, age, religion, disability, and gender. It is expected that you will be
respectful of others while you are in my classroom.
Lastly, please be respectful in the following ways:
 Arrive on time and leave when class is over. If you need to leave early because of
a one-time appointment, please let me know before class begins.
 Refrain from cross-talk and side conversations.
 Turn off cell phones and beepers during class.
 Do not bring children to class unless you have discussed it with me first.
Waste Reduction
All students are expected to participate in SCC waste reduction program. Please reduce
and reuse whenever possible and always recycle the appropriate materials in the proper
receptacles. We will discuss what kinds of materials go in each bin.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating is against the policy of Sacramento City College. Cheating includes any
attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade
assessment. Plagiarism is a form of cheating that involves presenting as one’s own the
ideas or work of another.
There are essentially two types of cheating and plagiarism. “Obvious” cheating is just
that: obvious. Paying someone to write a paper for you, looking at your neighbor’s
answers when taking an exam are examples of obvious cheating and plagiarism. Most
students don’t engage in this behavior. What many students inadvertently do is what I
call “soft plagiarism,” which involves failing to cite references or citing references
inappropriately in your papers. This is much more common.
If I catch a student engaging in “obvious” cheating or plagiarism, that student will receive
a grade of zero for that particular assignment. If, on the other hand, I see examples of
“soft” plagiarism in papers, I will call it to your attention. If I see a very minor instance
(for example, missing one citation in your paper), I will just write a comment in your
paper. If I see several instances, I will lower your grade slightly. If you fail to cite
references at all and copy words directly from other sources, this falls in the category of
“obvious” cheating. We will go over how to cite references appropriately, so by the time
you write your papers for this class, you should be clear about how to avoid “soft”
plagiarism.
Cheating and plagiarism are very serious offenses. If you have any questions about these
offenses, please come talk to me before class, after class, or during my office hours.
Course Outline
AN INTRODUCTION TO ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
August 26
Abnormal Psychology: The core concepts
August 28
The core concepts, continued
What is psychopathology?
Readings:
Chapter 1
September 2
What causes psychopathology?
Readings:
Chapter 2
September 4
What causes psychopathology? Continued
Readings:
Chapter 3
September 9
What causes psychopathology? continued
September 11
Diagnosis and assessment
Readings:
Chapter 4
September 16
Diagnosis and assessment, continued
September 18
EXAM #1 – CHAPTERS 1-4
PROBLEMS OF ANXIETY AND MOOD
September 23
Psychological stress
Readings:
Chapter 14, pp. 486-506
September 25
Psychological stress, continued
September 30
Anxiety disorders
Readings:
Chapter 5
October 2
Anxiety disorders, continued
October 7
Anxiety disorders, continued
October 9
Mood disorders
Readings:
Chapter 6
October 14
Mood disorders, continued
ISSUES PAPER DUE
October 16
Mood disorders, continued
October 21
EXAM #2 – CHAPTERS 5, 6, and 14
PROBLEMS OF THE MIND AND BODY
October 23
Dissociative disorders
Readings:
Chapter 7
October 28
Somatoform disorders
Readings:
Chapter 14, pp. 506-525
October 30
Eating disorders
Readings:
Chapter 8
November 4
Addictions and substance-related disorders
Readings:
Chapter 9
November 6
Addictions and substance-related disorders, continued
November 11
EXAM #3 – CHAPTERS 7-9 and 14
November 13
Sex, gender, and the sexual disorders
Readings:
Chapter 10
November 18
Sex, gender, and the sexual disorders, continued
PROBLEMS OF PSYCHOSIS
November 20
Schizophrenia
Readings:
Chapter 12
November 25
Schizophrenia, continued
November 27
NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
LIFE-SPAN PROBLEMS
December 2
Personality disorders
Readings:
Chapter 11
CASE ANALYSIS DUE
December 4
Personality disorders, continued
December 9
Disorders of childhood and old age
Readings:
Chapter 13
December 11
Review for final exam
FINAL EXAM:
Tuesday, December 16
12:45-2:45 PM