SYLLABUS
PSY 219 - INTRODUCTION TO ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Spring 2015
INSTRUCTOR:
Francine Gentile
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday – Thursday 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon
Friday: by appointment
OFFICE LOCATION: F Building, Redwood Campus: Monday and Wednesday
HEC 301H, Riverside Campus, Tuesday and Thursday
PHONE:
541 956-7072 (campus extension 7072)
541 245 7507 (Riverside)
E-MAIL:
fgentile@roguecc.edu
Required Text:
Comer, Ronald J. (2014). Fundamentals of Abnormal
Psychology, 7th edition. New York: Worth Publishers.
PREREQUISITES:
WR 115 or BT 113, PSY 201 AND 202
Course Web page:
http://learn.roguecc.edu/socialscience/fgentile/PSY219/
Course Description: This course offers an introduction to the psychology of
abnormal behavior and its possible causes, along with an examination of the
history and modern practice of mental health treatment, including legal issues
such as insanity and civil commitment. Students will explore the nature of
abnormality and examine social and cultural factors as well as specific
disturbances in behavior, mood, thinking and perception which have defined
abnormality, past and present. Special problems of research with the clinical
population and major theoretical models for assessment, diagnosis and treatment
will also be studied. Specific topic areas include anxiety, stress, somatoform and
dissociative, mood, and psychotic disorders, as well as personality disorders,
disorders generally first occurring in childhood or adolescence, and eating
disorders.
Expected Outcomes:
1. Define abnormal
behavior according to a
variety of major theories.
2. Describe common
methods of assessment
and diagnosis, including
the classification scheme
of the DSM-IV-TR and
DSM 5.
ILO
Locates, organizes,
analyzes, and
interprets data
Locates, organizes,
analyzes, and
interprets data
Assessment Methods:
1. Pass objective test on major
theoretical perspectives.
2. Complete assigned writing
and pass objective test.
3. Identify behaviors and
conditions that meet the
diagnostic criteria for a
variety of psychiatric
disorders; recognize
various manifestations of
these symptoms.
4. Identify strengths and
limitations of a variety of
treatment methods for
psychiatric conditions,
including historical
treatments as well as
those currently in
practice.
5. Identify current
directions in research on
pathology, assessment, or
treatment of psychiatric
disorders.
Demonstrates ability
to transfer learning
in familiar and
unfamiliar contexts
in order to complete
tasks
Locates, organizes,
analyzes, and
interprets data
Applies knowledge
and skills through a
global perspective
with an awareness of
context, personal
assumptions, and
worldview.
3. Complete writing
assignments, including a
grammatically/mechanically
correct research paper on a
specific disorder of the
student’s choosing, pass
objective tests.
4. Response papers related to
video presentations and/or
guest speakers, pass objective
exams.
5. Produce a
grammatically/mechanically
correct paper which reflects
student’s understanding of
the research and critique of its
value and application.
Objective Tests: There will be two exams. The first is a take-home exam over
the chapters 1, 2, 3 and 16. The final will be cumulative and open book. If
you are unable to be in class on the day of a test, please contact the instructor
prior to the exam.
Term Paper: Select a specific disorder from those studied this term. Using at
least three outside sources, explore current and historical theories and
practices regarding this condition, including etiology, symptoms and
treatment. Your primary sources must be academic. Sources like WebMD,
Gales Encyclopedia, Time Magazine, etc. should be avoided. Peer reviewed
articles in academic journals, available through EBSCO Host, are your most
reliable source. You may also consult the National Institute of Mental Health
and other .gov websites. Please use care with .edu sources, as these could be
student papers that have not necessarily been reviewed for accuracy. All
outside sources must be cited and documented in a reference page, using
APA style. 5-7 pages, typed.
The Term Paper must be submitted to Turnitin for verification of sources and an
originality check. Our course is listed as Introduction to Abnormal
Psychology. The course number is 9770237 and the password is abnormal.
News Review: What does the general population believe about mental illness?
How is mental illness presented in the media? How are those who meet
criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis characterized? Are these characterizations
accurate? Abnormal psychology is in the news almost every day. If it’s not a
disturbed person shooting up a school yard, it’s a new breakthrough in
neuroscience or the discovery of an herb to cure depression. These stories
have a significant impact on the thinking of the general population and, as a
result, influence the way people understand mental illness and the
individuals who suffer from psychiatric disorders. Find an article in the
news, print or electronic, reporting on issues or events involving mental
illness. Write a critique of the story, evaluating the information presented in
terms of accuracy, objectivity, sensationalism, bias, etc. Is this story helpful,
kind, and compassionate, or does it promote a negative view that leads to
further stigma and marginalization of the mentally ill population? Explain.
750-1000 words, typed. Please include the story with your paper.
Late work will be accepted for only one week after the due date, with an
automatic deduction of 10 points. Spelling and grammar will be considered
in the grading of papers written outside of class.
Communicating with the instructor: I am assigned to both Redwood and
Riverside Campuses, with different telephone extensions at each location.
Email, however, is consistent across campuses. The best way to contact me is
by email, which is also delivered to my phone and ipad. I will respond as
quickly as I can. To stay up to date, please check your email regularly as
well, using the email address you have provided to the college. Please be
sure your address is updated and accurate.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. This includes copying from
classmates as well as copying from textbooks, cutting and pasting from
internet sources, inadequate documentation of quotes and information from
any source, and any form of cheating on exams. Suspected or confirmed
plagiarism will reduce your grade and may result in more serious
consequences. If you are unsure how to document your research, please
consult with the staff of the Writing Center or ask me.
Class participation consists of arriving to class on time, staying the entire period,
and participating actively in projects and discussions. Learning is facilitated
in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance among students and instructor.
It is expected that behavior in class will reflect this belief.
Cell phones, media devices, and/or other electronic devices, including ipods and
electronic smoking cessation devices, are disruptive to the learning
environment and will not be allowed in class. Please turn off or silence
your phone and do not send/receive calls or text messages during class.
Grading:
First exam
Final Exam
Term Paper
News Review
Reactions papers
Class Participation
TOTAL
50
100
100
25
30
40
345
Students who have a documented disability, such as those related to vision,
hearing, orthopedics, learning, psychological functioning, and/or other medical
conditions, must provide a letter to the instructor outlining required
accommodations by the end of the first week of the term. Students who believe
they may need academic accommodations for a disability should make an
appointment with the Rogue Community College Disability Services office.
Offices are located on Redwood Campus, in the Wiseman Tutoring Center (9567337) and Riverside Campus, G building, room 207 (245-7537).
March 30
April 1
April 6
April 8
April 13
April 15
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Introduction to course: Defining
“abnormal”
Abnormal Psychology: Past & Present
Models of Abnormality
Assessment, Diagnosis & Treatment
Law, Society & the Mental Health
Profession
First Exam distributed
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 3
Ch 16
Ch. 1, 2, 3
16
First Exam Due
Film: Back From Madness
April 20
Back From Madness reaction paper due
April 20-22
Disorders of Childhood & Adolescence
Ch. 14
April 27-29
Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive &
Ch 4
Related Disorders
May 4-6
Disorders of Trauma & Stress
Ch 5
May 11-13
Disorders of Mood and Suicide
Ch 6-7
May 13
Media Review Paper Due
May 18
Disorders Featuring Somatic Symptoms
Ch. 8-9
& Eating Disorders
May 18
Term Paper Due
May 25
Memorial Day Holiday
No Classes
May 27-June 1 Schizophrenia
Ch 12
Film: People Say I’m Crazy
June 1
People Say I’m Crazy reaction paper
due
June 3-8
Personality Disorders
Ch 13
June 10
Final Exam
cumulative