Course Syllabus
PLEASE READ THIS SYLLABUS CAREFULLY!!!
Abnormal Psychology (Online) PSYC3125V 51155 Summer 2013
Instructor: Dr. H. Richman Rooms/Times TBA
2 Places you need to be able to get to:
1. Course "Webpage" http://psyc.columbusstate.edu/richman/PSYC3125V.htm (detailed course information, syllabus, study guides, etc.). You will be notified of all important events and dates via email (CSU gmail).
2. CougarVIEW (D2L, FORMERLY Vista/Blackboard) https://colstate2.view.usg.edu/ Our primary use for CougarVIEW will be for quizzes and exams, and perhaps discussion posts (see below).
YOU do not need to go to “CougarVIEW” till after my orientation email.
email: fastest response
Phone: 565-3576
Office: Faculty Office Building (FOB) 124
Office Hours: Summer hours by appointment only
Required Text: Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life 12th ed. preferred. (11th, 13th, or 14th eds. will also work), Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley.
IMPORTANT!!!!: For an online class to run smoothly, and for students to do well, both faculty and students must communicate well and be clear about what to expect and what needs to be done and when. To avoid potential problems, please be sure to carefully read and follow all instruction in this syllabus, on the course “Webpage” and in the emails you will be regularly receiving from me.
Course Description:
This course will provide the student with an in depth understanding of the field of abnormal psychology, including classification, causal factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Students will be responsible for reading the text on their own. Support will be provided in the form of online (Word Document) study guides which you can download and print. You can always email questions to me. I will always do my best to respond to your email questions promptly, typically within 24 hours.
Tehcnicological Requirements: You will need access to a computer with reliable and fast (NOT a telephone modem) internet access for taking online Quizzes and Exams (if you choose online Exams). You will need access to Cougarnet to receive my emails, access discussion and chat features, and download files if I place any there. Your computer will need a web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer), and Microsoft Word.
Course Grade and Testing: Testing will be objective (i.e., multiple choice) and closely follow the text and study guides.
Major Exams: 85% of your grade will be based on 3 "Major Exams" (28.33% each). You will NOT routinely receive detailed results on the "Major Exams" other than your score. You are welcome to come to my office to go over your exam in detail. You can take the major exams online (times TBA) or on campus (traditional paper and pencil, individually by appointment). If you do take the online exam within the specified time and have not previously contacted me, the "Makeup Exams" policy below applies. The instructor reserves the right to change testing procedures if necessary.
Quizzes 15% of your course grade will be based on three practice "Quizzes," one per exam (5% each). The primary purpose of the quizzes is to let you know how well prepared you are for the exam. Each quiz, will, of course, cover only a small amount of the material that will be on the exam. You can take each Quiz two times. On these Quizzes, you will receive immediate feedback which you can use to study and improve your score on your second try. The higher of the two scores is the one that will count towards your grade. Doing well on these quizzes will, of course, help your overall grade. Quizzes will be available online only and there are NO makeup quizzes. All quizzes and exams are based on a 100 point scale.
Makeup exams: will be given ONLY in the two following situations: (1) If ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, you can schedule an alternate time (paper and pencil only) in advance of the on-campus/online test time or (2) without prior notice (“no show”)a makeup test will only be given if the student provides written documentation that a situation “beyond the student’s control” was at cause (e.g., illness for which you were treated, traffic accident, etc.). This is especially true for the final exam. Time, location, and format for makeup tests will be at the convenience of the instructor and/or department support staff. If you miss a test without just cause (e.g. I forgot, I didn’t feel well, my car wouldn’t start, my hamster had an anxiety attack) you will NOT be given a makeup test. Normally, the grade for the missed test will be computed as the average of your other two test grades (before addition of any extra credit points if any have been offered) minus 30 percent. However, CSU policy states that if you miss a “previously announced” test you can be given a grade of 0 for that test.
Discussions: During this semester (technological and other factors permitting) I plan on having several (probably four) discussion topics you will be asked to participate in (initiate at least one post per topic). These discussion posts are NOT technically a grading component as are quizzes and exams. However, to motivate participation, I will be offering some EXTRA CREDIT points for discussion participation (1/2 point added to the overall average for participation in each of the four discussion topics, total of 2 EC points possible). You can post and respond as much as you like but only 1/2 point per discussion topic can be earned. Discussion posts which are deemed inappropriate (see Deportment/Additionally below) will be removed and you will not be able to get credit for that topic.
Attendance:
There is, of course, no attendance policy. However, it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with reading and regularly check the "homepage" for test dates, optional meetings/assignments, changes, etc. Check under “NEWS” in Cougarnet My Courses often.
Deportment:
The same standards that apply to a traditional class apply here. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to a college classroom as specified in the student handbook. Behavior which is inappropriate to a college classroom, interferes with class, and/or infringes on the rights of other students is unacceptable and will quickly result in contact with the appropriate university authorities and appropriate action taken.
Additionally, it is important for us all (student and faculty) to be particularly careful about what we say and how we say it when we communicate online. Whatever the message, it tends to come across as less courteous, more extreme, and more impersonal on a computer screen.
Overall Average is computed as follows:
Average = .85*(average of 3 major exams) + .15*(average of three quizzes) + any extra credit (if offered).
Example Assume your three Exam grades were 80, 80 and, 78; your three Quiz grades were 90, 85, and 95, and you earned 1 pt. extra credit
Overall Average = .85*[(80+80+78)/3] + .15*[(90+85+95)/3] + 1
= .85*[238/3] + .15*[270/3] + 1
= .85*[79.333] + .15*[90] + 1
= 67.43 + 13.5 + 1 = 81.9 = "B"
Letter grades will be assigned as follows:
Overall Average Grade
______
90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
Below 60 __ F_
(Note: on all grade computations .5 or larger fractions round up, .4 and smaller round down) Example 79.4 = a "C", 79.5 = a "B" The grade you receive will be the grade you earn. It is NOT negotiable. Factors such as GPA, Academic Standing (probation, exclusion), Funding can NOT be considered in determining Course Grade. Please don't ask. Thanks.
Tentative Course Outline: Book ed.
Week of Topic(s) / Readings 12th /13th 14th
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1. 5/13 Abnormal Psychology: An Overview ch. 1 same
2. 5/20 Historical and Contemporary Views ch. 2
3. 5/27 Causal Factors and Viewpoints ch. 3
Clinical Assessment ch. 4
4. 6/3 Stress and Adjustment Disorders ch. 5
5. 6/10 Panic, Anxiety, and their Disorders ch. 6
6. 6/17 Mood Disorders and Suicide ch. 7
7. 6/24 Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders ch. 8
Eating Disorders (anorexia & bulimia) ch. 9
8. 7/1 Personality Disorders ch. 11 10
9. 7/8 Substance Related Disorders ch. 12 11
Sexual Variants, Abuse, Dysfunctions ch. 13 12
10. 7/15 Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders ch. 14 13
Cognitive Disorders ch. 15 14
11. 7/22 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence ch. 16 15
Therapy - Contemporary and Legal Issues ch. 17-18 16-17
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Dates, times, and locations for Exams 1, 2, and 3 will be announced (by email). We have about 10 weeks so expect Exam1 about 3 weeks in, Exam2 at about 6 weeks, etc. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of announced dates and times. Exam 3 will be scheduled during the LAST WEEK OF CLASSES.
Official Withdrawal Policy:
To drop a course after schedule change (May 13):
You may drop a course by submitting the Request for Withdrawal from Courses form in ISIS. Any course dropped after May 13, 2013 becomes part of your academic record. A grade of "W" will be assigned for withdrawal requests submitted by the "withdrawal Deadline" of the term or part term (see the Dates of Terms section) unless a grade of "WF" has been assigned already by the registrar for excessive absence. A grade of "WF" will be assigned for courses on withdrawal requests submitted after the "withdrawal Deadline" of the term or part term. Contact the Instructor, for procedures to appeal the assignment of a "WF" grade.
The "withdrawal Deadline" for Summer 2013 May/June combined classes is June 1, 2013
Learning Objectives
1. Identify, analyze, and communicate the major schools of thought and historical development of the field of abnormal psychology.
2. Identify, analyze and communicate the methods and techniques utilized in research related to identification, assessment, and treatment of psychological disorders.
3. Identify, analyze, and communicate the current status of, and future directions in, important issues in abnormal psychology.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the primary classification system (DSM-IV) used by psychologists and other mental health professionals.
Official ADA Policy:
If you have a documented disability, as described by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 933-112 Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and would like to request academic and/or physical accommodations please contact Joy Norman at the Office of Disability Services in the Schuster Student Success Center - Room 221 or call 706-507-8755 as soon as possible. Course requirements will not be waived but reasonable accommodations may be provided as appropriate.
Study guides are available at:
http://psyc.columbusstate.edu/richman/PSYC3125V.htm