A BNORMAL P SYCHOLOGY – PSYC 220
(A Course Combining Capstone & Non-Capstone Students)
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NSTRUCTOR Michael Strayer
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NFORMATION Office: MAIN Bldg. - Room 241
Office Hours: M-W 11:00 to 12:00 / T-TH 4:00 to 5:00 / Fridays 10:00 to 11:00
Office Phone: 442-2676
E-Mail: mstrayer@lcc.ctc.edu
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LASS TIME:
T his Class Meets Every Monday & Wednesday 1:20 to 3:20 – MAIN 235
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OURSE STUDY
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EQUIRED READINGS :
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ATERIALS
 F
undamentals of ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: And Modern Life
Carson, Robert C., Butcher, James N., Mineka, Susan. Allyn & Bacon, 2002.
 A bnormal Psychology In Context: Voices and Perspectives.
Sattler,
Shabatay, and Kramer. A collection of first-person accounts and narratives written by individuals who live with psychological disorders.

Additional perspectives are written by friends, therapists, and family members of persons suffering from mental illness. (The instructor will provide additional articles and short stories).
A dditional Handouts/Readings will be provided by the instructor.
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OURSE
T his five-hour/five-credit transfer course surveys many areas of current
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ESCRIPTION psychological research relating to psychological disorders and treatment. This course will be an introduction to the theories of psychopathology. Specifically, a study of abnormal human behavior, its history, description, etiology (causes) and diagnosis. Emphasis will be placed on identification, treatment and major diagnostic categories such as schizophrenia, personality, mood, anxiety, and organic brain disorders. Psychology 220 is on LCC's Plan B Distribution list for Social Sciences and is transferable to most colleges and universities. For Capstone Students, you’ll be encouraged to use critical thinking skills at a more challenging level than noncapstone students – a research project, discussion activities, and multi-disciplinary material will be used to this end.
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I n discussing psychological disturbances, this course and readings will view these experiences as places on a continuum of human behavior, rather than extreme phenomena that affect only "other" people far removed from the college environment. The risk of this approach is that students will engage in
"self-diagnosis." While the course will illustrate the material in everyday terms, behavioral examples will be qualified to ensure that students extend the experience and distinguish between common emotional experiences and pathological disturbances. What then is abnormal? Psychological disorders do not happen just to "other people." They are problems that we face either directly in our own lives or indirectly through people we know. In essence,
"abnormal" behavior is a human everyday experience.

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NSTRUCTOR'S
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BJECTIVES
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VALUATION
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ROCEDURES
bjective
xams:
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E
There are many legitimate objectives for an Abnormal Psychology course as a part of your college education, as your instructor I would like you:
1)
To acquire a scientific viewpoint toward "abnormal" human behavior and some skill at analyzing it.
(We will review major psychological perspectives.)
2) To understand the issues and complexity involved in defining abnormal behavior.
3) To appreciate the historical stigma associated with having a psychological disorder and seeking professional help.
4) To acquire knowledge concerning the diagnosis, treatment, ethical and legal issues related to psychological disorders.
5) To acquire a basic understanding of the major disorders including personality, anxiety, somatoform, dissociative, mood, and schizophrenic.
6) To use imaginative, logical and critical thinking processes to question assumptions, identify problems, synthesize information from various sources, and analyze alternative solutions.
7) To become more understanding, compassionate, and empathetic of individuals and their families who are afflicted with psychological disorders.
P rimarily this is a writing class, synthesis essays are the major source of evaluation. Two or three objective exams will be given as a way for you and the instructor to check retention of the course material. These exams will consist of multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and short essay questions
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T his writing is a way for you to analyze theories, research, and concepts – as well as to express your thoughts, feelings, and critical insights concerning
Abnormal Psychology and prepare for class discussion. Short Synthesis essays will be written about the concepts and theories addressed in the course textbooks and classroom presentation. They must include a thesis statement with support using the assigned weekly readings, including analysis of specific concepts or theories, personal experiences or observations, speculations, as well as applications and explorations that are outlined in lecture and reading assignments for the week. These writings should not be confused with personal "Diary Type" information about self. The instructor will give specific questions and/or assignments for your Short Synthesis
Essays. These entries are your preparation for classroom discussion and reveals to the instructor that you are critically engaging the readings.
Short
Essays must be a minimum of two (2) word-processed pages, and you are strongly encouraged to write more. One Short Essay per week is required unless otherwise assigned, late Essays will receive less or no credit. Number and date each entry, if an assigned entry, title it. The instructor will read these
Essays and return them to you promptly.
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One 12 to 15 page research essay will be developed during the quarter with a
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completed paper due in the last week of class. More than a report of research on a specific topic, your paper must have a point of view. That is, you are to develop a perspective (an argument) on a particular abnormal psychological issue, theory, or disorder; and investigate the available research to support this. Thesis Statement
Example: Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personality) is an erroneous diagnosis that originates in the patient as a result of the suggestions made by the psychiatric professionals providing treatment.
As well, you will include connections to related literature and/or film. Additionally, make sure to address the research of opposing perspectives. A timeline with due dates will be handed out in the first week of instruction. In the final week of instruction you will be asked to present the findings of your research to the class - Additional information and guidance will be provided. Get started right away. (Also required: Annotated bibliography and First draft.)
* Non-Capstone students are required to write a 5 page research paper.
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TTENDANCE & These are essential elements of this course and represent 25% of your total
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ARTICIPATION grade. Missing any number of days of this class during the quarter will effect your overall grade (2 days are equal to one week). Your participation is evaluated on relevant oral contributions in class and seminar, non-verbal interest and attention, and preparedness. Too much participation or domination of discussion, and too little participation will also effect your grade.
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INAL
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RADES Your final grade will depend on the percentage of total points earned on exams,
Essays, research, attendance and participation. Below is a general guide to help you in evaluating your overall grade.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION ------ 25%
EXAMS ----------------------------------------- 30%
WRITING (Short Essays & Research Paper) - - 45%
* Capstone papers will carry more weight
96-100% = A
90-95% = A-
87-89% = B+
83-86% = B
80-82% = B-
77-79% = C+
73-76% = C
70-72% = C-
67-69% = D+
63-66% = D
55-62% = D-
TOTALS 100% Quarter Grades
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CLASSROOM 1) Students and instructor will receive each other’s ideas with respect and interest.
POLICIES & If a problem occurs of any nature concerning the class or with individual please
ETIQUETTE contact the instructor .
2) Cell telephones and pagers must be turned off in the classroom. (For emergency
situations please talk with the instructor.)
3) Do not eat in class – drinking is fine. The smell of your food and sound you
make eating it is distracting to other students and the instructor.
4) Do not try to “teach” the class. You may have much knowledge, but keep
comments brief and ask questions that are relevant to the topic of discussion.
5) Students will respect an "Equal Time" rule in regards to discussion. In other
words, no "one" person will dominate discussion. Those individuals who can
share comments easily and frequently, will be encouraged to hold back so that
others who have difficulty sharing in class can do so.
6) If you must leave or enter the classroom the instructor is lecturing, do so
quietly so as not to disrupt the learning of other students.
7) Talking during lecture or videos is unacceptable and will effect your grade.
8) If personal information is shared within the class as it pertains to Abnormal
Psychology, it will be treated with confidentiality by everyone.
9) All “thoughtful” opinions will be honored with respect. Especially when there
is disagreement.
10) If you miss a test or other assignment, contact the instructor as soon as
possible. If you have been absent or expect to be, please notify the instructor.
Late work will receive less credit.
11) The instructor has the right to change class policies, procedures and content
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LAGIARISM Write your own papers. Be certain to give another writer credit where
you have used their ideas or words. The words of someone else must
always be placed within quotation marks or otherwise identified and
their author cited. A reader assumes that all portions of a paper that are not inside quotes are the writer's own creation. It is, therefore,
considered theft to copy someone else's writing without surrounding the borrowed passage with quotation marks and attributing the quote to
its real author. You should try to limit quotations and instead araphrase
an author’s works. These ideas, concepts, and information must then
have the appropriate MLA citation. Not referencing the “borrowed”
work with citations is also considered plagiarism. Any paper that
contains this kind of "borrowing" will be failed. Plagiarism is also
grounds for failing a student in the course and at worst, expulsion from
college. (See LCC student handbook for plagiarism guidelines and discipline.)
C OMMUNICATION If you have concerns or questions concerning Psych 220, stop by my office or call during office hours. I am in the MAIN building, room 241. Office Phone:
442-2676 E-Mail: mstrayer@lcc.ctc.edu
My voicemail number is 442-2676. E-Mail: mstrayer@lcc.ctc.edu.
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WINTER 2005
WEEK DATE TOPICS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS__________________________
1 January 5 th
Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. In order to get through a majority of the material, we'll try to address major issues in four chapters of the textbook in the first two weeks. This may not be possible, but in an attempt to cover as many
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Jan 10 & 12
Jan 19 *
* January 17 th
4 Jan 24 & 26 disorders as possible we'll try. So, for this first week read Chapters 1 - Abnormal
Psychology Over Time and Chapter 2 – Causal Factors and Viewpoints in Abnormal
Psychology. Also read Abnormal Psychology in Context : * Therapy with an
American-Indian Girl p.262
Read Chapter 3 Clinical Assessment and Treatment, and Chapter 15 –
Contemporary Issues in Abnormal Psychology. Plus
*Voices: Creating an Ethical Position in Family Therapy p.266. ( Plus Handouts)
Panic, Anxiety, and Their Disorders - Chapter 5. *Voices: I Am Not Afraid p.3,
A Fear of Snakes p.8, T he Accident That Didn’t Happen
p.14, and Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder in Vietnam Veterans p.20.
(Monday Holiday – Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday)
Continue Panic Disorders & begin Mood Disorders and Suicide
– Read
Chapter 6. *Voices: Suffering from Depression p.67, An Unquiet Mind p.74, and A
Time to Listen: Preventing Youth Suicide p.83. Sunshower p. 89, and Darkness
Visible p. 95.
5 Jan 31 & Feb 2 Continue Mood Disorders & begin Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders –
Read Chapter 7. * Voices: The Divided Woman p.28, The Myth of Repressed Memory p.
34, I have Multiple Personality Disorde r p. 40, Phantom Illness p.47, The Broken
Mirror p.54, and Patient or Pretender p.59.
6 Feb 7 & 9 Continue Somatoform Disorders
*Voices:
& begin Personality Disorders
The Duke of Deception p.147, and Girl, Interrupted
– Read
p.151
Chapter 9.
.(lots of handouts)
7 Feb 14 & 16
8 February 23 *
* February 21
9 Feb 28 & Mar 2
Continue Personality Disorders& begin
- Read Chapter 11. *Voices:
Finish
(Monday Holiday, President’s Day)
Sexual Variants, Abuse, and dysfunctions
Secret Life p.191, and
Sexual Variants, Abuse, and Dysfunctions
Surviving a Sexual Attack p.196.
The Schizophrenias - Chapter 12 . *Voices: Welcome
Silence: My Triumph Over Schizophrenia p.119,
Tell Me I’m Here
p,131, and I Feel
Cheated by Having This Illness p.138.
10 March 7 & 9 Psychological Compromises of Physical Health and Eating Disorders
11 March 14 & 16 Catch Up Week - Interesting Disorders we missed along the way.
12 March 23 rd
FINAL EXAM 12:00 - 2:00
– Presentation of Student research!
– Chapter 8.
The above represents only a tentative schedule of when topics will be covered and reading assignments. The instructor will change this schedule as he deems necessary!
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Your Short Synthesis Essays are intended as a place of intellectual discovery where you explore connections among ideas, yourself and the social environment in which you live. Usually the instructor will give directed entries, and sometimes the content/direction will be left up to you. To have something to write about, your mind needs to encounter new information and ideas. This means you need to actively read, attend class, watch videos, participate in class discussion, and attend to the world. Actively reading means engaging your mind and not just your eyes in the process. Preview what you are going to read. Underline concepts and facts that are significant or interesting.
1. As you begin to write your Short Essay entry, develop a thesis (underline it). This thesis should reflect your point-of-view or argument on this particular issue or disorder. Every subsequent paragraph should support this thesis. You might start with an analysis of the topic . Question the authors of your readings. How recent is their information? Does it still apply? Are their lines of thinking logical? Do they give sufficient evidence in support of their points? Do your experiences agree with or contradict the authors' observations? What values underlie the authors' viewpoints? What values underlie your perspective? Use the readings, lectures, and videos to support your thesis. You must always cite the textbooks.
2. Relate it to yourself and to the world: Discuss how this theory/concept/disorder affects you. Does it explain something about yourself to you? Does it explain something about others to you? Have you observed it in your own life? How do you feel about it? Have you had an experience that this concept helps explain? etc. Discuss how the topic affects the world outside of you. To what extent does it explain the real world? How can it be applied in understanding personal and social experience? What connection is there to society? This element of your Short Essay is essential ! It might be a paragraph or a page, but it must be included.
GENERAL WRITING GUIDELINES
1. Use a standard sized typing paper – 8
1/2
x 11 inches, standard margins 1” on all sides.
2. Each Short Essay must be a minimum of two (2) pages, double-spaced.
You must word process your essay.
Fold papers lengthwise, staple, and in the upper right corner (outside) of your paper, write your name, the course title, course number and section, the assignment and the date you hand it in.
3. Be certain to give authors credit where you have used his/her ideas or words. The exact words of someone else must be placed within quotes and the author cited appropriately. It is considered theft to copy someone else's writing without using quotation marks to surround the borrowed passage and attributing it to its real author. Any essay found to contain this kind of "borrowing" will not be given credit. Plagiarism may be sufficient grounds for failing a student in the course. If you are uncertain whether you need to credit an author in a certain case or not, play it safe by citing reference, or consult with the instructor.
4. It is required that you use the MLA method of citing references within the body of your Short Essay. For direct quotes and borrowed ideas you must reference your source. Usually it’s as easy as author's last name and page number in parenthesis (Carson, Butcher, Mineka 132). (English Simplified is a cheap writing guide available in the bookstore.) Do not overuse quotations. In general, no more than about one-fifth of your entry should be quoted material.
Synthesis Essays will be evaluated in the following manner:
4 = (A) All criteria met, clear development, style and organization..
3 = (B) Clear thesis, analysis and personal reflection, some minor problems.
2 = (C) Analysis of topic and reflection, but weak development.
1 = (D) Unclear, awkward development, no references to readings.
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STANDARD MLA GUIDELINES FOR WRITTEN WORK
Please read this carefully at least twice. Between now and the time that you begin your Research Paper you will forget some of these guidelines, so review them again when you are writing to make sure your paper conforms with them.
1. Manuscript Form
Use standard 8 1/2 X 11-inch paper on one side only. Staple the pages together in the upper left-hand corner.
Word-process your paper, using Times New Roman 12 pt. Font. Double-space between lines and between paragraphs. Do not triple or quadruple space between paragraphs. Give your paper a title. Center the title on the first line of page 1. Do not repeat the title of your paper afterwards. Indent the first line of each paragraph five spaces. Leave margins of an inch at the left, right, top and bottom of each page.
On the front and back of your paper write your name, the course title, number and section, the assignment and the date you hand it in. Put into a standard file folder and include all drafts.
2. Spelling and Grammar
Your paper should use good Standard English. If it is illegible or contains a significant number of spelling, typing, or grammatical errors, it will be returned for rewriting. Use your spelling checker.
3. Copying
Write your own paper. Be certain to give another writer credit where you have used her ideas or words.
The words of someone else must always be placed within quotation marks or otherwise identified (see below) and their author cited. A reader assumes that all portions of a paper that are not inside quotes are the writer's own creation. It is, therefore, considered theft to copy someone else's writing without surrounding the borrowed passage with quotation marks and attributing the quote to its real author. I must fail any paper that contains this kind of "borrowing." Plagiarism is also grounds for failing a student in the course.
Following is an example from Writing: A College Rhetoric, an English composition textbook by Kirszner
& Mandell, that illustrates the difference between plagiarism (dastardly!) and paraphrasing (okay).
Original:
The Amish community tends to be self-sufficient in its social and educational functions; the social needs of the individual are met within it. The Amish have no schools of higher learning, but have built elementary schools in some places to avoid the external influence that comes with the centralized school system. As soon as the law will allow, Amish children are taken out of school for work at home.
Plagiarism (not allowed):
The Amish community is self-sufficient. It meets the social needs of the individual. The Amish do not have schools of higher learning, but have built elementary schools in some places. In most cases as soon as the law will allow, Amish children are taken out of school to work at home.
Paraphrase (allowable):
Hostetler says that the Amish are educationally and socially independent. In some communities they have constructed their own elementary schools to avoid the centralized school system.
Usually the Amish will remove their children from school as soon as the law lets them.
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4.
Quotations
Use quotations sparingly and carefully. Do not use someone else's words simply to avoid having to think of your own. Only a very small part of your paper should consist of (short) direct quotes. Only use quotes:
“when language is especially vivid or expressive; when exact wording is needed for technical accuracy; when the words of an important authority lend weight to an argument; when the language of a source is the topic of your discussion (as in analysis or interpretation)” (Hacker 87).
Short quotes belong in the body of your text, enclosed within quotation marks. Separate quotes longer than four lines from your text by a double space, indent from the left margin ten spaces, double-spacing the quoted material and using no quotation marks.
5. Documentation
Document the sources of the facts and quotes in your paper using only the MLA citation style. Generally this means author's last name and page number, i.e., (Carson, Butcher, Mineka 32). At the end of your paper list your sources on a separate page labeled "Works Cited." For accurate information on how to document books, magazines, videos, etc., English Simplified is a cheap writing guide available in the bookstore. A
Writers Reference by Diana Hacker is even better. There are many internet sites that also provide MLA documentation resources. Try this one http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/index.shtml
or do a Google search.
6. Extra Copy
Always keep an extra copy of your paper!
7.
HELP?
Our tutoring lab is expecting you! We have many writing tutors who have already completed their own research papers and are ready to help you.
Stop by the lab located in the library, or call 442-2572.
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