ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
FALL2008
TTh 1:00–2:20 PM
INSTRUCTOR:Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D
OFFICE:RS 279
OFFICE HOURS:5:00-6:00 PM MW and 10:30-11:30AM TTh
PHONE:(916) 558-2154
E-MAIL:
WEB SITE:
Course Description
This course is intended to familiarize you with the symptoms, causes, and treatment of the various mental disorders. We will consider the range of disorders from a variety of perspectives, including but not limited to psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, biological, and sociocultural. Throughout the course, we will pay close attention to the interplay between psychopathological states and issues of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and social class. We will also address current events and controversial issues pertaining to psychological disorders and treatment. Critical thinking is an essential component of the learning process, and I encourage you to hone your critical thinking skills by asking questions, presenting your own ideas, and contributing to class discussion.
Required Texts
Hansell, James and Damour, Lisa. (2005). Abnormal Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Recommended Text
American Psychiatric Association. (2002). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR)
**Although this text is optional, it is STRONGLY recommended if you plan to pursue a career in this area. You can find this book at any bookstore or on Amazon.com. There is also a mini-version of this text that is fine to use as well. Lastly, you can access an online version of the DSM-IV-TR at
Course Requirements
Attendance: It is expected that you attend class regularly. Most classes will include discussions, lectures, demonstrations, videos, and class exercises designed to increase your understanding of the material. Missing class will mean missing out on these learning opportunities, and will likely result in poorer performance in the course. I will take attendance at every class by passing around a roll sheet. Each missed class will result in a loss of 5 attendance points. Those points add up – so make a point of attending every class meeting! If you have a serious illness or problem and need to miss class, please contact me as soon as possible.
Reading: It is expected that you complete all reading assignments PRIOR to coming to class. Additionally, it is expected that you demonstrate an understanding of the material through active participation and contribution to class discussion. Please stay on top of the reading – it is very easy to fall behind, and once you do fall behind it is difficult to catch up. If you do not do the reading, I guarantee that you will do poorly in the class.
Exams: There will be three semester exams and one final exam. All exams will include a combination of multiple-choice and short answer. There will be NO make-up exams. However, I will drop one of the three semester exams. If you take all three exams, your lowest exam grade will be dropped. If you miss one of the exams, that missed exam will be dropped. Everyone is required to take the final exam. On exam days, please come to class with a Scan-Tron #882 form and a #2 pencil. If you come to class on exam day without these materials, you will not be allowed to take the exam until you get these items.
Assignments: In this course, you will be required to complete two written assignments. The first is what I called an “issues paper,” where you will be asked to select a controversial issue in abnormal psychology, conduct research on this issue, and formulate an informed opinion. The second assignment is a case analysis of a character from a fictional, biographical, or autobiographical work. Each of these assignments is described in more detail in your project packet (to be distributed).
Extra Credit: Several extra credit opportunities will be available to you throughout the semester. These options include the following:
- SCC’s Counseling Services hosts a series of Mental Health Screening Days each semester. Volunteers are needed to do a variety of tasks. Depending on your level of involvement, you can earn between 10-25 extra credit points.
- We have a Psychology Club here on campus that is open to all SCC students. The Psychology Club provides opportunities to meet other students with similar interests, to learn more about different areas of psychology and career options, and to participate in psychology-related activities. Depending on your level of involvement, you can earn between 10-75 extra credit points.
- SCC and other colleges host psychology-related seminars, speakers, workshops, etc. If you attend one of these events and turn in a thoughtful, well-written summary and reaction paper, you will earn 20 extra credit points. You may submit up to 2 reaction papers.
You may earn no more than 100 extra credit points.
Grades: Your grade will be based on the following components:
Class attendance/participation:20%200 points
Semester exams (2 of 3)30% (15% each)300 points
Issues paper15%150 points
Case analysis15%150 points
Final exam:20%200 points
TOTAL:100%1000 points
Extra credit100 possible points
A900-1000 points
B800-899 points
C700-799 points
D600-699 points
Fless than 599 points
If you find that you are having difficulty with the course, or if you need to miss class due to a serious illness or problem, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible. Please do not wait until the end of the term to contact me – the earlier you speak to me, the more likely we will be able to develop a plan to improve your grade. Additionally, if you have a disability including “invisible” disabilities like chronic diseases and learning disabilities, I encourage you to speak with me in order to discuss appropriate accommodations.
Late Paper Policy
In my opinion, there are very few valid reasons for turning a paper or assignment in late. Procrastination is not a valid excuse. Nor is having too much work from other classes. I try to give as much advance notice about due dates, so you can plan accordingly. It is probably becoming very clear that I strongly dislike receiving late papers. Because of that, I have a very strict “late paper” policy: I will accept papers and assignments one day after the due date, and I will lower the grade by one letter (so an “A” paper would receive a “B”). When I say one day, I mean one real day, NOT one class session. So, for example, if a paper is due on a Tuesday, I will accept any late papers on Wednesday, but not on Thursday. I will not accept papers any later than that, unless there are extreme circumstances such as personal illness or family emergencies.
Classroom Etiquette
In my opinion, students learn best when they are in an environment that challenges their thinking, yet respects each and every individual. It is very difficult to learn if one doesn’t feel respected and valued. It is perfectly fine (and encouraged!) to disagree with an idea or to hold an opposing point of view; however, it is unacceptable to subject an individual to personal attacks, put-downs, and insults. I ask that you refrain from the aforementioned behaviors.
In the same vein, I like to create what I call a “safe zone” in my classroom. A “safe zone” is a place that is respectful of all people regardless of sexual orientation, ethnic background, age, religion, disability, and gender. It is expected that you will be respectful of others while you are in my classroom.
Lastly, please be respectful in the following ways:
- Arrive on time and leave when class is over. If you need to leave early because of a one-time appointment, please let me know before class begins.
- Refrain from cross-talk and side conversations.
- Turn off cell phones and beepers during class.
- Do not bring children to class unless you have discussed it with me first.
Waste Reduction
All students are expected to participate in SCC waste reduction program. Please reduce and reuse whenever possible and always recycle the appropriate materials in the proper receptacles. We will discuss what kinds of materials go in each bin.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating is against the policy of SacramentoCityCollege. Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment. Plagiarism is a form of cheating that involves presenting as one’s own the ideas or work of another.
There are essentially two types of cheating and plagiarism. “Obvious” cheating is just that: obvious. Paying someone to write a paper for you, looking at your neighbor’s answers when taking an exam are examples of obvious cheating and plagiarism. Most students don’t engage in this behavior. What many students inadvertently do is what I call “soft plagiarism,” which involves failing to cite references or citing references inappropriately in your papers. This is much more common.
If I catch a student engaging in “obvious” cheating or plagiarism, that student will receive a grade of zero for that particular assignment. If, on the other hand, I see examples of “soft” plagiarism in papers, I will call it to your attention. If I see a very minor instance (for example, missing one citation in your paper), I will just write a comment in your paper. If I see several instances, I will lower your grade slightly. If you fail to cite references at all and copy words directly from other sources, this falls in the category of “obvious” cheating. We will go over how to cite references appropriately, so by the time you write your papers for this class, you should be clear about how to avoid “soft” plagiarism.
Cheating and plagiarism are very serious offenses. If you have any questions about these offenses, please come talk to me before class, after class, or during my office hours.
Course Outline
AN INTRODUCTION TO ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
August 26Abnormal Psychology: The core concepts
August 28The core concepts, continued
What is psychopathology?
Readings: Chapter 1
September 2What causes psychopathology?
Readings:Chapter 2
September 4What causes psychopathology? Continued
Readings:Chapter 3
September 9What causes psychopathology? continued
September 11Diagnosis and assessment
Readings: Chapter 4
September 16Diagnosis and assessment, continued
September 18EXAM #1 – CHAPTERS 1-4
PROBLEMS OF ANXIETY AND MOOD
September 23Psychological stress
Readings:Chapter 14, pp. 486-506
September 25Psychological stress, continued
September 30Anxiety disorders
Readings: Chapter 5
October 2Anxiety disorders, continued
October 7Anxiety disorders, continued
October 9Mood disorders
Readings:Chapter 6
October 14Mood disorders, continued
ISSUES PAPER DUE
October 16Mood disorders, continued
October 21EXAM #2 – CHAPTERS 5, 6, and 14
PROBLEMS OF THE MIND AND BODY
October 23Dissociative disorders
Readings:Chapter 7
October 28Somatoform disorders
Readings:Chapter 14, pp. 506-525
October 30Eating disorders
Readings:Chapter 8
November 4Addictions and substance-related disorders
Readings:Chapter 9
November 6Addictions and substance-related disorders, continued
November 11EXAM #3 – CHAPTERS 7-9 and 14
November 13Sex, gender, and the sexual disorders
Readings:Chapter 10
November 18Sex, gender, and the sexual disorders, continued
PROBLEMS OF PSYCHOSIS
November 20Schizophrenia
Readings: Chapter 12
November 25Schizophrenia, continued
November 27NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
LIFE-SPAN PROBLEMS
December 2Personality disorders
Readings: Chapter 11
CASE ANALYSIS DUE
December 4Personality disorders, continued
December 9Disorders of childhood and old age
Readings:Chapter 13
December 11Review for final exam
FINAL EXAM:Tuesday, December 16
12:45-2:45 PM