Covenant University
College of Human Development.
Department of psychology
Course Compact
Semester: Alpha
Course code: Psy 311
Course Title: Abnormal psychology 1
Credit: 2 hours
Course Instructors: 1Ben Agọha, 2Ayo Elegbeleye 3Dr. Adewuyi (PhD)
Office Location: 1Room D205c CDS Building.
Email:ben.agoha@covenantuniversity.edu.ng. Phone Ext. 2178, Mobile +2348023213131.
2
Room A300B, CDS Building. Email:ayotunde_300@yahoo.com. Phone Ext. 2139. Mobile:
+2348056234403. 3Visitor.
Brief overview of course
Psychology aims at understanding behaviour. To achieve this aim a variety of
approaches are engaged. One of such is through the study of behaviours that are
considered abnormal. It is hoped that by understanding what is not normal we
may also achieve insight into the normal. This subfield is called abnormal
psychology or psychopathology. Though there are a number of ways abnormal
psychology may be viewed, this course would focus on the scientific, empirical
view of psychopathology. The course will cover the entire spectrum of abnormal
psychology including the very serious disorders such as schizophrenia and other
cognitive disorders, to the often less severe forms of disorders.
Course objectives/Goals
At the end of the course each student would be expected to:1.
2.
3.
4.
Define abnormal behaviour
Trace the history and evolution of the field of psychopathology
Demonstrate efficient grasp of the theories of abnormal behaviour
Describe the clinical features of specific disorders
Mode of delivery
Class meetings will be a mix of lecture and discussion. Students shall also be
expected to log into the LMS where a variety of issues will be discussed. I shall
supervise the class discussions as well as log into the LMS from time to time to
see what’s being discussed and by whom.
Course delivery
Course shall be delivered by modules as shown below. To enhance understanding
of the subjects discussed video clips of real cases shall be presented in class.
Class work shall be supplemented by take home assignments.
1
Continuous assessment.
Every student is expected to log into the learning management system to
participate in group discussion, do assigned readings, post questions, and do
requested assignments. All of these shall be factored into the continuous
assessment. Students shall also be required to:i.
ii.
iii.
Keep a Learning journal. Each student participating in this course shall
keep a learning journal in which he or she summarizes what was done in
every class as well as from their reading assignments. In these
summaries the student must state clearly (a) how the lecture or reading
material has impacted him or her, and (2) exactly what the student has
learned. This shall be posted on the LMS for comments by other students
individual quiz. At the completion of each course unit a set of short
answer quiz will be provided at the base of the lecture note. The student
is required to take the quiz and grade himself or herself.
Graded quiz. A set of short answer quizes drawn from the individual
quizzes will be given at the end of each module. These quizzes shall
mostly be in form of multiple choice questions posted on the LMS.
Students will be able to view their results instantly and may retake the
test, where allowed.
Term Paper: Each student is to explore any dimension of personal interest and produce
a 15 page term paper, Times New Roman, Double Spaced.
MODULE 1: Cocept, History, & Classification of Abnormal Psychology
Week 1: Defining abnormal behaviour- Context of behaviour, statistical deviance,
mental disease criterion, Basic concepts, 4Ds of abnormality. Reading assignment
1: The Myth of mental illness-Thomas Szasz
MODULE 2: Historical Perspectives
Week 2: Historical perspectives- Ancient theories- demonology, trephining, early
biological theories, The Middle Ages, psychopathology in the Middle ages, Asylum
in Europe and America, Mental hygiene movement, mass madness, The Witch
hunt.
Week3: Historical Perspectives Continued. Psychopathology today, Abnormal
Psychology in Nigeria, Professions within abnormal psychology, models of
abnormal psychology.
Week 4: History of classification in psychopathology, classification and diagnosis,
multiaxial classification- DSM and ICD-10. The DSM V and its controversies.
MODULE 3: Disorders of Infancy, Childhood and Adolescence.
Week 5: Mental Retardation and Learning Disorders, Motor skills Disorders, and
Communication Disorders.
Week 6: Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Attention Deficit Disorders.
Attention deficit and disruptive disorders, Feeding and elimination disorders etc.
2
Module 4: Major Psychotic and Non-psychotic Disorders
Week 7: Schizophrenia, schizoaffective, delusional, and brief psychotic disorders.
Week 8: Mid-semester test, Deadline for Term Papers Submission
Week 9: Mood and Anxiety disorders
Week 10: Mood and anxiety disorders continued somatoform disorders, sexual
disorders, and eating disorders, sleep and impulse-control.
Module 5: Personality Disorders
Week 11: Cluster A & B disorders
Week 12: Cluster C disorders, Revision.
Grading
All assignments and tests shall be weighted 30%, and end of semester
examination 70%, to yield a measure of overall assessment.
Ground rules and regulations
In keeping with the University regulations a mandatory 75% lecture attendance
shall be required of students to qualify for the end-semester examination. Late
coming to, and exit from classes, chewing, and noise making during lecture shall
not be tolerated.
Topics for term paper
A student shall choose and explore one of the topics listed below. The term paper
emanating from this would consist part of the graded continuous assessment.
This would be given at the appropriate time in the course.
Core values alignment
The need for personal mental health and helping the sick would be effectively
communicated. The course thus provides a platform for communicating covenant
University core avalues of responsibility, capacity building, possibility mentality,
and hard-work.
Industry relevance
A course in abnormal psychology lays foundation the would-be Clinical
Psychologist. It is also relevant to any industrial effort, formal or informal, since it
is concerned with issues relating mental wellness of the individual on which all
human endeavours rely.
3
Recommended texts
1. Barlow, D.H., & Durand, V.H.(2009). Abnormal Psychology. An integrated
approach (5th ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
2. Comer, R.J.(2010). Abnormal Psychology (7th ed). New York: Wordworth
Publishers.
3. A variety of internet sources are available e.g. Psychology.com
Course Coord Sign.______________________Date____________
Agọha, B.C.E
HOD. Sign.______________________Date__________________
Prof. A.A. Alao
Deputy Dean Sign.______________________Date_____________
Prof. P.A. Edewor
Dean, CDS Sign.______________________Date_______________
Prof. I.O. Olurinola
Authorized for the web………………………………….....Vice Chancellor……………………..
4