PSYCHOLOGY 343: Child Psychopathology
FALL 2014
Section 001: Thursdays, 4-6:30pm, HRCB 150
Instructor: Kersti Spjut
Email: kersti.spjut@gmail.com
Office: 170 TLRB
Office Hours: Thursdays, 2:30-4pm; or by
appointment
Instructor: Ann Clawson
Email: clawson.ann@gmail.com
Office: 170 TLRB
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 3:30-5pm; or by
appointment
Required Text:
Abnormal Child Psychology, Fifth Edition; Mash & Wolfe (2013)
DESCRIPTION
This course will review the etiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of common
psychological disorders and developmental issues in children and adolescents. Consistent with
the developmental psychopathology perspective, this course will examine child
psychopathology within the context of normal developmental processes, exploring the
influence and interaction of multiple factors that may lead to the emergence of behavioral and
emotional problems.
The majority of this course will focus on the defining features, associated characteristics,
prevalence, course, theories, causes, and treatments associated with disorders or
circumstances for which children and adolescents are most often referred for psychological
services, including: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct problems, anxiety
disorders, mood disorders, developmental and learning disorders, eating disorders, healthrelated conditions, and child maltreatment.
This course is likely to be beneficial for all students who interact with or are interested in
children and adolescents. Students pursuing careers related to developmental psychology,
clinical child psychology, school psychology, special education, or pediatrics will find this course
particularly useful. For students preparing for careers working with children and adolescents
with emotional and behavioral problems, the content of this course will provide a critical
foundation for future training and education.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Etiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment
Students will identify and describe the etiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of
common psychological and developmental disorders in children and adolescents.
Measurement: Multiple choice exams, quizzes.
2. Current issues in child psychopathology
Students will demonstrate familiarity with current issues in child psychopathology.
Measurement: Presentations, short writing assignments.
3. Become familiar with the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural variables typically
associated with the development and maintenance of childhood disorders, including major risk
and protective processes.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
In-Class Assignments (20%): In-class assignments will include a variety of activities designed to
help students process and apply concepts addressed in this course. In-class assignments will
include individual writing assignments, group problem-solving activities, informal class
presentations, and other learning activities. Full credit will be given for thoughtful participation
in these assignments. Missed in-class assignments can be made up for medical reasons only,
with verification from a medical doctor. One assignment may be missed without penalty.
Examinations (60%): Two regular exams and a final exam will be given in the testing center. The
final exam will be comprehensive, but will emphasize material presented since the last exam.
Exams will test material covered in assigned readings and class lectures/discussions. While all
material from the texts may be included in the exams, content discussed in class will have a
greater likelihood of appearing on the exams. The exams will follow a multiple-choice format
with one case example, and a study guide and/or sample exam questions will be available
before each exam.
Reading quizzes (20%): You will take 11 brief pop quizzes on the content of the selected reading
throughout the course of the semester. These quizzes will take place at the beginning of each
class meeting, so please be on time. You will be allowed to drop your lowest quiz score. Quizzes
may be made up for medical reasons only, with verification from a medical doctor.
Extra Credit: Up to 15 total extra credit points may be earned over the course of the semester.
Extra credit can be earned in the following ways:
 Five extra credit assignments of up to 3 points each may be completed by reading
empirical articles related to child psychopathology in a scholarly journal (e.g., Journal of
Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Journal
of Pediatric Psychology, Developmental Psychopathology, Journal of the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child Development, etc.) and writing a 2-3
page reaction to the article. Articles chosen should report empirical research findings or
review the scientific literature on a topic relevant to the course. The 2-3 page (doublespaced) reaction paper should summarize the purpose and main findings of the study,
and provide your evaluation/critique and reaction to the article. Email submissions are
preferred. You must attach a copy of the article (or send link by email) to receive credit.
A maximum of two extra credit assignments may be turned in during the same month,
and no extra credit will be accepted after December 11th.


Five points extra credit can be earned for every hour you are a participant in a research
project. In order to receive credit for this you must bring Ann or Kersti a copy of the
informed consent form for the study or you can sign up on SONA and have them credit
your time to Psych 343.
Five points of extra credit can be earned for presenting a poster or an oral presentation
at a national/international research conference. Send a copy of the presentation or a
note from your supervising professor to Ann or Kersti to receive credit.
GRADE WEIGHTING
Assignment
Quizzes
In-Class Assignments
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Total
Weight
20%
15%
20%
20%
25%
100%
Points
150
112
150
150
188
750
GRADING SCALE
A
AB+
B
94-100
90-93.9
87-89.9
84-86.9
BC+
C
C-
80-83.9
77-79.9
74-76.9
70-73.9
D+
D
DE
67-69.9
64-66.9
60-63.9
59.9 and lower
**Your grade will be calculated on the number of points you earn from examinations, quizzes,
and the in-class assignments divided by the total number of points possible. A general rule of
thumb for undergraduate college courses is "2-3 hours of study out of class for every hour in
class". A 'C' is an acceptable grade and a 'B' a good grade, while an 'A' represents an
outstanding level of accomplishment even in comparison with peers who are often excellent
students. We will award grades of D, UW, or E only after individual consideration concerning
whether the student’s performance in the course merits such a grade.
**We have a strict policy regarding rounding up grades (e.g., if you receive a 93.9%). We do not
round up grades for any reason; you will receive the grade that you earn in the course based on
the grading scale noted above.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Date
Topic
Readings Due
9/11
Introduction/Overview
Theories and Causes of Abnormal Child
Development
Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
9/18
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
M&W Chapter 5
9/25
Catch-up day
As assigned in class
9/4
10/2
10/3-10/7
(late day 10/8)
10/9
M&W Chapters 1 and 2
M&W Chapter 4
Conduct Problems
EXAM 1: Testing Center
Chapters 1-6
Anxiety Disorders
M&W Chapter 6
M&W Chapter 7
10/16
Mood Disorders
M&W Chapter 8
10/23
Intellectual Disability
M&W Chapter 9
10/30
Catch-up day
As assigned in class
11/6
Autism Spectrum Disorders
M&W Chapter 10
11/13
11/14-11/18
(late day 11/19)
11/20
Communication and Learning Disorders
EXAM 2: Testing Center
Chapters 7-11
Health-Related and Substance Use Disorders
11/27
M&W Chapter 11
M&W Chapter 12
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, NO CLASS
12/4
Eating Disorders
M&W Chapter 13
12/11
Child Maltreatment
M&W Chapter 14
12/16, 8-10pm
FINAL EXAM: 150 HRCB
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Honor Code/Plagiarism
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their
academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own
must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing
grade in the course and disciplinary action by the university. See http://www.byu.edu/honorcode for
specific examples of intentional and inadvertent plagiarism. Students are also expected to adhere to the
Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an
effective learning and working environment. It is the university’s expectation, and my own expectation in
class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at
422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
http://www.byu.edu/honorcode
Discrimination
Sexual harassment. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination
against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is
intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title IX covers discrimination in programs,
admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU’s policy against sexual
harassment extends not only to employees of the university, but to students as well. If you encounter
unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to me about it or contact the
Equal Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 4222847.
Students with disabilities. Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and
learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any
disability which may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services
for Students with Disabilities Office (422-2767). Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for
all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. Services are coordinated with the student and
instructor by the SSD Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated
against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and
procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.