Psychology 400
Case Studies in Psychopathology
and Clinical Psychology
Spring 2011
________________________________________________________________
Professor: Michelle Moon, Ph.D.
Phone: 805-437-2752
Email: michelle.moon@csuci.edu
Office: Sage Hall, #2131
Office hours: Tuesdays 10:30-11:45, Thursdays 10:15-11:45 and by appointment
Thursdays 12:00-2:50; Broome Library 2490
University Bulletin Description: An advanced study of the etiology, classification, and
treatment of psychopathology
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Explain and distinguish among different psychopathologies using the major theoretical
approaches in psychology.
2. Explain human behavior from current biological, psychological, sociocultural and
biopsychosocial models and theories.
3. Apply the individual difference model to identify and explain pathological behavior,
including those related to gender, ethnicity and culture.
4. Demonstrate competence in the use of information from psychological tests to
diagnose, assess and treat psychopathology.
5. Compare and contrast common psychological and psychiatric techniques used to
treat psychopathology.
Required Readings:
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (4th ed-Text Revision.). Washington, DC: Author.
Otmanns, T., Martin, M., Neale, J., & Davison, G. (2009). Case studies in abnormal
psychology (8th edition). John Wiley and Sons. (ISBN 0470408596)
(Bring your DSM-IV-TR to class each week.)
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: If you require
accommodations because of a disability, please make an appointment with me
so that we may discuss your special needs. You will be asked to supply a letter
from the Office for Students with Disabilities to assist in planning any special
accommodations.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, plagiarism and any other form of academic
dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. These violations of University policy may
lead to failure in this class and a report to the appropriate University office for
investigation. So don’t do it!
CLASS SCHEDULE
Approximate Dates
Topic
Readings
January 27
Introduction, overview and discussion.
Determine your topic and locate reference material
For your Personal Case Study
February 3
Quiz #1
Review: DSM-IV-TR
Use of the Manual
Multiaxial Assessment
DSM-IV-TR* Sexual and Gender
Identify Disorder
Paraphilias: Exhibitionism
and Frottereurism
Gender Identity Disorder:
xxiii-xxxv
1-12
27-37
p. 535- 582
Case Studies Ch. 14
Case Studies Ch. 15
February 10
Film Activity: Gender Identity Disorder
Article presentation
Personal Case Study Topic and Reference Material Due
February 17
Quiz #2
Case Study #1 Due (Gender Identity Disorder)
DSM-IV-TR* Mood Disorders
p. 345-428
Major Depressive Disorder
Case Studies Ch. 7
Bipolar Disorder
Case Studies Ch. 8
Article presentation
February 24
Film Activity-Mood Disorders
Article presentation
March 3
Quiz #3
Case Study #2 Due (Mood Disorders)
DSM-IV-TR* Schizophrenia and Other
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia: Paranoid Type
Psychotic Disorder (NOS)
Article presentation
(Article summary due)
March 10
Film Activity-Schizophrenia Disorder
Article presentation
March 17
Quiz #4
Case Study #3 Due (Schizophrenia)
DSM-IV-TR*
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Film Activity: PTSD
March 24
Spring Break-no class
p. 297-343
Case Studies Ch. 10
Case Studies Ch. 11
p. 463-471
Case Studies Ch. 3
March 31
Cesar Chavez-no class
April 7
Quiz #5
Case Study #4 Due (PTSD)
DSM-IV-TR
Autistic Disorder
Asperger’s
Film Activity: Autism.
April 14
Quiz #6
Case Study #5 Due (Autism)
DSM-IV-TR* Personality Disorders
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Article presentation
p. 70-84, 105-134
Case Studies Ch. 21
p. 685-729
Case Studies Ch. 18
Case Studies Ch. 19
Case Studies Ch. 20
April 21
Film Activity: Personality Disorders
Article presentation
April 28
Western Psychological Association Conference-no class
May 5
Quiz #7
Case Study #6 Due (Personality Disorders)
Personal Case Study Due
DSM-IV Substance-Related Disorders
p. 191-294
Alcohol Dependence
Case Studies Ch. 12
Film Activity: Substance Disorders
May 12
Quiz #8
Case Study #7 Due (Substance Disorders)
DSM-IV-TR* Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
Social Phobia
OCD Film Activity (Brief)
Article presentation
May 19
p. 429-462, 472-484
Case Studies Ch. 1
Case Studies Ch. 2
Case Studies Ch. 4
Final Exam Due.
*In addition to the assigned DSM readings, be sure to skim the criteria for the differential
diagnoses in each section of readings.
Quizzes: Class sessions that cover reading assignments will begin with a short 20 point
quiz. Quiz results will be discussed immediately following the quiz, and those coming
late to class will not be able to have extra time, nor will they be able to take the quiz.
Make-up quizzes will NOT be permitted. The top 7 (out of 8) quiz scores will be used in
calculating your grade. (7 @ 20 points = 140).
Case Study: After each Film Activity, you will complete a brief (2-3 page) Case Study,
typically due during the following class session. Late Case Studies will NOT be
accepted, nor will they be accepted via email. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility
to contact a classmate for the film information, and to watch the film on your own. Each
Case Study is worth 20 points (7 @ 20 points = 140)
Personal Case Study: A separate handout providing more details on this assignment
will be distributed during class. 45 points + 5 points for Topic and Reference material
turned in on time. (45+5 = 50 points)
Article Presentation: Each student will obtain and present an empirically-based article
that extends the course readings. Plan ahead because you may need to request articles
through the library. The article may be on the effectiveness of a treatment modality or
(e.g., EMDR treatment of PTSD; DBT with borderline personality disorder, etc.) or the
current research for the disorder. (10 points.) Research should be current (within the last
5 years). Students must present on the day they indicated on the sign-in sheet. (10
points.)
Final Exam. Details of the final exam will be discussed during the semester. 50 points.
GRADING: Grades for the course will be based on the total points earned for
Quizzes (140 points), Case Studies (140 points), Personal case study (50
points), Article Presentation (10 points). Final exam (50 points). Based on 390
total possible points:
Final Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Percentage
95
90
88
85
80
78
75
70
68
65
60
>60
Minimum Points
370
351
343
331
312
304
292
273
265
195
234
below 234
Please note: I will save course material (e.g., quizzes, uncollected homework, etc.) for
two weeks into the Fall, 2011 semester. After this time, all materials will be destroyed. If
you have questions regarding your grade or need clarification, please see me prior to the
second week of next semester.