Individual and Family Psychopathology

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY FALL 2008 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: [email protected] WEB SITE: http://web.scc.losrios.edu/pitmang

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 http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/dsm4TRclassification.htm.

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 paper 15% 150 points Case analysis 15% 150 points Final exam: 20% 200 points TOTAL: 100% 1000 points Extra credit 100 possible points A 900-1000 points B 800-899 points C 700-799 points D 600-699 points F less 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 Sacramento City College. 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 26 Abnormal Psychology: The core concepts

August 28 The core concepts, continued What is psychopathology? Readings: Chapter 1

September 2 What causes psychopathology? Readings: Chapter 2 September 4 What causes psychopathology? Continued Readings: Chapter 3

September 9 What causes psychopathology? continued

September 11 Diagnosis and assessment Readings: Chapter 4

September 16 Diagnosis and assessment, continued

September 18 EXAM #1 – CHAPTERS 1-4

PROBLEMS OF ANXIETY AND MOOD

September 23 Psychological stress Readings: Chapter 14, pp. 486-506

September 25 Psychological stress, continued

September 30 Anxiety disorders Readings: Chapter 5

October 2 Anxiety disorders, continued

October 7 Anxiety disorders, continued

October 9 Mood disorders Readings: Chapter 6

October 14 Mood disorders, continued ISSUES PAPER DUE

October 16 Mood disorders, continued

October 21 EXAM #2 – CHAPTERS 5, 6, and 14

PROBLEMS OF THE MIND AND BODY

October 23 Dissociative disorders Readings: Chapter 7

October 28 Somatoform disorders Readings: Chapter 14, pp. 506-525

October 30 Eating disorders Readings: Chapter 8 November 4 Addictions and substance-related disorders Readings: Chapter 9

November 6 Addictions and substance-related disorders, continued

November 11 EXAM #3 – CHAPTERS 7-9 and 14

November 13 Sex, gender, and the sexual disorders Readings: Chapter 10

November 18 Sex, gender, and the sexual disorders, continued

PROBLEMS OF PSYCHOSIS

November 20 Schizophrenia Readings: Chapter 12

November 25 Schizophrenia, continued

November 27 NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING

LIFE-SPAN PROBLEMS

December 2 Personality disorders Readings: Chapter 11 CASE ANALYSIS DUE

December 4 Personality disorders, continued

December 9 Disorders of childhood and old age Readings: Chapter 13

December 11 Review for final exam

FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, December 16 12:45-2:45 PM