Tompkins Cortland Community College
Course: Psychology 209 Abnormal Psychology
Semester: Fall 2010
Instructor: Dr. Joseph L. Smith Ph.D, CSW-R, CASAC
Phone: (607) 844 - 8211 x 4211
Email: smithj@TC3.edu
Office Hours: M 12 – 230 pm; W 9 – 10 am; 12 – 1 pm; F 9 – 10 am; 12 – 130 pm
TC3 email account: Please set up a TC3 email account as I may send messages to the
class via this centralized source. Failure to do so may result in
missed assignments or class information.
Course Description: This course helps students acquire a better understanding of the
origins of maladaptive personal reactions to life and its problems. Diagnostic symptoms,
etiology, treatment and prevention of each category of psychological disorders are
emphasized. Prerequisite: PSYC 103 and prior completion or concurrent enrollment in
ENGL 101. (3 Lec.)
Required texts: Durand, V.M. and Barlow, D.H. (2010). Essentials of Abnormal
Psychology, 5th edition. Wadsworth Publishing Company.
Course Objectives
1. To become familiar with the process of mental health assessment
2. To become familiar with the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th
edition, text revision (DSM IV-TR)
3. To develop a basic understanding of the major mental health disorders, including
diagnostic criteria and available treatment
4. To develop a basic understanding of personality disorders, including diagnostic
criteria and available treatment
5. To develop a basic understanding of developmental disorders, including diagnostic
criteria and available treatment
6. To consider your own views and biases associated with a variety of mental health
conditions
7. To develop an understanding of controversial diagnoses and treatment techniques
8. To consider other special needs and issues, including cultural factors which impact
upon the process of diagnosis and treatment
Evaluation
Quiz 1
Quiz 2
Quiz 3
Web Assignment 1
Web Assignment 2
Final Project
50 pts
75 pts
75 pts
50 pts
50 pts
100 pts
400 pts
Take Home Quizzes: There will be three (3) quizzes given during the
times specified in the course schedule. The quizzes will cover material
from lectures, discussion, assigned readings/resources, and material from
your text. Format used will be multiple choice, short answer, and essay.
Quiz dates: Quiz 1 – 2/24/10; Quiz 2 – 4/2/10; Quiz 3 – 5/3/10
Web Assignments: There will be two web based activities in this course.
Each will require that the student engage in a web related research activity
related to understanding a major psychological disorder. Then, students
will prepare a 2 –3 page written assignment associated with the activity.
Each of the web activities will be worth 50 pts. Specific instructions will
follow.
Web assignment 1 –; Web Assignment 2 –
Participation: Your involvement is both a class requirement and one of the means by
which your performance will be evaluated. Students missing class frequently will be
subject to a reduction of one full letter grade.
Final Project:
Due date:
Course Outline
Week of
Topic
Assignment
01/18
Abnormal Behavior/Historical Context
D & B Ch 1
01/25
Abnormal Behavior/Historical Context
D & B Ch 1
02/01
Integrative Approach
D & B Ch 2
02/08
Clinical Assessment
D & B Ch 3
02/15
Anxiety Disorders
D & B Ch 4
02/22
Somatoform/Dissociative Disorders
D & B Ch 5
03/01
Physical Disorders/Health Psychology
D & B Ch 7
03/08
Mood Disorders
D & B Ch 6
03/15
Spring Break
03/22
Mood Disorders
D & B Ch 6
03/29
Developmental/Cognitive Disorders
D & B Ch 13
04/05
Eating/Sleep Disorders
D & B Ch 8
04/12
Sexual/Gender Identity Disorders
D & B Ch 9
04/19
Schizophrenia/Other Psychotic Disorders
D & B Ch 12
04/26
Personality Disorders
D & B Ch 11
05/03
Substance Related Disorders/Impulse
Control Disorders
D & B Ch 10
05/10
Final Exam Week
This class will not meet on the following dates:
2/26/10; 3/15/10 – 3/19/10