PSYC 2320 0340 - ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY

Introduction

Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Abnormal Psychology

Course Prefix & Number: 

PSYC

2320

Section Number: 

340

Semester/Year:

Fall 2021

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

3

Lab Hours:

0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

This course provides an introduction to the psychological, biological, and socio-cultural factors involved in the development, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders. It includes a review of the historical understanding of abnormal behavior and the development of modern diagnostic systems. It includes discussion of psychological research and practice as it relates to mental health and psychological functioning, as well as legal and ethical issues.                                                                           

Course Prerequisite(s): PSYC2301-General Psychology

Required Course Materials:

Comer.  Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology.  9th edition.  MacMillan Publishing.

Access Code with ebook ISBN: 9781319312893

Looseleaf with access code ISBN: 9781319312763
             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Jennifer Doran

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth / Room 337

Telephone Number:

(940) 498-6424

E-mail Address:

jdoran@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

3 to 6 pm, 

Online and by appointment

9 am to 4 pm,

Online and by appointment

3 to 6 pm,

Online and by appointment

9 am to 4 pm, Online and by appointment

9 am to 4 pm, Online and by appointment

It is my goal to return all phone calls and emails within 24 hours.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

Discuss the historical antecedents to modern understandings of abnormal behavior.

 

Identify and describe the major classes and characteristics of psychological disorders as presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

 

Describe the factors and theoretical perspectives related to the development and maintenance of different types of abnormal behavior.

 

 List the primary treatments for psychological disorders and discuss their effectiveness.

 

Discuss the current research and methodological issues in the study of abnormal behavior.

 

Discuss the legal and ethical issues associated with the treatment of and research related to abnormal behavior.

 

Develop an understanding of how social and cultural factors impact the expression of psychological disorders.

 

Examine the impact of biological factors on the development of psychological disorders.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Point Values

1. 

Discussion Questions

225 points

2.

Weekly Activities

375 points

3.

Exams (100 points x 2 exams)

200 points

4.

Brochure

50 points

5.

Institutional Assessment Essay Questions

150 points

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

1,000 points

 

  • Discussion Questions (225 points):   Discussion questions will be posted in Canvas for you to discuss with the class.  These will require you to apply the material from our course.   Grades will be determined by meeting the posted length requirements and by expanding on the discussion's content in a meaningful way.  (See more information in the Start Here Module in Canvas.)

 

  • Weekly Activities (375 points):  Each week we'll have an activity in Canvas to complete.   Activities cannot be submitted once the due date has passed.

 

  • Exams (200 points):    We will have two exams that are worth 100 points each.   Exams will cover material from our text and material from our online lectures.   Exams are timed so it is important to understand the material prior to testing.

 

  • Brochure (50 points):   We will be designing a brochure based on information learned in Week Nine.    Please see the document in Canvas for additional information.

 

  • Institutional Assessment Essay Questions (150 points):  Due in Week 13.   Grade will relate to inclusion of required elements and content.   Please see the document in Canvas and the rubric below for additional details.

 

 

  • TOTAL:   1,000 possible points

 

Tentative Course Calendar

 

 

Week 1 – What Is Abnormal Behavior?

                        August 23rd – August 29th

Readings:

  • View 'Start Here' Module
  • Locate Module 1; view PowerPoint video for this week
  • Read Chapter 1 (pg. 1-20 only) and 3 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 1

Assignments: 

  • OPTIONAL:  Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 1 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 2 – Research in Abnormal Psychology

                        August 30th - September 5th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 1 (pg. 21-33 only) in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 2

Assignments: 

  • Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 2 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 3 – Perspectives in Abnormal Psychology

                        September 6th – September 12th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 2 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 3

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 3 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

 

Week 4 – Anxiety

                        September 13th – September 19th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 4 (pg. 101-127) in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 4

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 4 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 5 – Obsessive Disorders

                        September 20th – September 26th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 4 (pg. 128-137) in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 5

Assignments: 

  • Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 5 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 6 – Depression

                        September 27th – October 3rd 

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 6 (pg. 173-200) in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 6

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 6 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

 

 

Week 7 – Bipolar Disorder

                        October 4th – October 10th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 6 (pg. 201-209) in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 7

Assignments: 

  • Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 7 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 8 – Stress Disorders

                        October 11th – October 17th

 

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 5 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 8

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Complete Exam One (after all reading and other activities are completed)

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 8 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

 

Week 9 – Suicide

                        October 18th – October 24th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 7 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 9

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Submit Brochure

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 9 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

  

 

 

Week 10 – Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse

                        October 25th – October 31st

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapters 9 and 10 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 10

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 10 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 11 – Sexual Disorders

                        November 1st– November 7th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 11 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 11

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 11 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 12 – Schizophrenia

                        November 8th – November 14th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 12 in your textbook

Assignments: 

  • Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Work on Institutional Assessment Essays (Due next week)

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 12 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

  

 

 

Week 13 – Personality Disorders

                        November 15th – November 21st 

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 13 in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 13

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week
  • Institutional Assessment Essays Due

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 13 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

Week 14 – Personality Disorders (cont.)

                        November 22nd – November 28th

Readings:

  • Review materials from Week Thirteen

Assignments: 

  • Respond to the Discussion Board for this week
  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 14 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

 

Week 15 – Disorders Usually Diagnosed in Childhood: 

  Autism and ADHD

                        November 29th– December 5th

Readings:

  • View PowerPoint for this week
  • Read Chapter 14 (pg. 450-460 only) in your textbook
  • Review other Canvas materials for Week 15

Assignments: 

  • Complete online activity for this week

Module Deadlines:

All assignments for Week 15 are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

 

 

Week 16 – Wrapping Up

                        December 6th – December 9th

***Please note that this is a short week - all assignments are due by Thursday***

 

Readings:

  • Review material for Weeks 9 - 15

Assignments:        

  • Complete Exam Two (after all reading and other activities are completed)
  • Review all grades for accuracy

Module Deadlines:

All Assignments for Week 16 (and for the course) are due on or before Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST.

 

 

RUBRIC for Institutional Assessment Essays

 

Grading Criteria

Excellent

Proficient

Approaches Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Content Relevance, Accuracy and Organization

 

~Up to 125 points

105-125 points

**Presents appropriate material clearly and in a well-organized manner.

**Writing clearly demonstrates sound understanding of subject matter.  

80-104 points

**Presents material in a somewhat organized manner.

**Writing demonstrates a degree of understanding of subject matter.  

 

40-79 points

**Presents somewhat relevant material but organization is not fully achieved. **Writing demonstrates some understanding but some uncertainty with  subject matter.  

 

0-39 points

**Content is unclear.   Overall organization is difficult or impossible to follow. 

**Writing demonstrates a lack of knowledge with regard to the subject matter.  

 

 Sources

 

~Up to 10 points

8-10 points

**Cites all data obtained from sources.

**Sources are reliable and APA citation style is accurate.

 

5-7 points

**Cites most  data obtained from sources.

**Sources are largely reliable and APA citation style is somewhat accurate.

 

3-4 points

**Cites minimal data obtained from sources.

**Sources are present but not reliable; errors in APA citation style are noted.

 

 

0-2 points

**Does not cite sources.

** APA citation style is not evident.

 

 Mechanics

 

 

~Up to 15 points

12-15 points

**Ideas are communicated clearly.

**Accurate grammar/spelling.

 

9-11 points

**Ideas are generally communicated clearly.

**Grammar/spelling generally accurate.

 

5-8 points

**Ideas are often unclear due to mechanical errors.

**Errors in grammar/spelling noted.

 

0-4 points

**Message is lost due to significant mechanical errors.

**Significant errors in grammar/spelling are present.

 

TOTAL POINTS EARNED

 

 /150 POINTS

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 1st.

 

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321.  Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______       

 

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

 

o         Government/Political Science

X         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

o         American History

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)

 

X             Critical Thinking

X              Communication

X              Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

X             Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

            Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion.  Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty.  See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”. 

 

Students may earn a zero for an assignment or for a course due to academic dishonesty.   Please come to me for help with any of these topics.   You may also visit our library for additional information:  http://www.nctc.edu/library/research-help/CitationGuides.html

 

Potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 27, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.

Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.

Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: In spring 2020, we faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

Faculty will:

·    Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

Students should:

·Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.

·Notify instructors in advance of the absence.

·Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.

·Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.

·Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.

·Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.

·Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During the fall 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website. Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Donna Smith

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 208

Telephone Number:

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

dhooper@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Sara Flusche

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 1312

Telephone Number:

940-668-3321

E-mail Address:

sflusche@nctc.edu

 

 

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.