SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE

SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE Division of Arts and Sciences Dowagiac, Michigan COURSE SYLLABUS Fall Session, 2005 COURSE TITLE: Abnormal Psychology

COURSE NO.: 260 SECTION NO.: 4917

CREDITS/CONTACTS:

Credit Hours: 3 Lecture hours/weekly: 3 Laboratory hours/weekly: A-T hours/week:

INSTRUCTOR:

Kirt E. Carter, M.A., L.L.P., M.S.W., C.S.W. Office Hours: Before/After Class or by Appointment Phone Number: 616-445-2451 Email: [email protected]

PREREQUISITE:

None

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in psychology, social work, or psychiatric nursing. It may also be helpful to those planning careers in special education. This course will provide an overview of abnormal psychology, including clinical assessment, diagnosis, disorders, and treatment.

CORE CURRICULUM:

Non-Applicable

Southwestern Michigan College is involved in an on-going assessment... MACRAO/DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS: Social Science degree requirement TEXTBOOK REQUIRED: Comer, Ronald J., Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, Fourth Edition, 2005, Worth Publishers OPTIONAL: N/A ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: N/A

NOTICE: Information in this syllabus, was to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. The instructor, however, reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Southwestern Michigan College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques.

HONESTY POLICY Cheating or plagiarizing will absolutely not be tolerated at Southwestern Michigan College. Any student found cheating or plagiarizing material in any manner may be assigned a failing semester/session grade in this course. A second such incident while at SMC could result in suspension or expulsion from the institution. A student found in violation of this section of the syllabus will not be allowed to drop this course. Additional detail regarding cheating and/or plagiarism may be found elsewhere in this syllabus.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Didactic and participatory lecture, discussion, selected readings, video and audio presentations, small group assignments

EVALUATION METHOD: quizzes: 200pts. midterm examination: 100pts. final examination: 100pts. assignments: 100pts. Total Possible Points=500

GRADING SCALE: 500-450=A 449-433=A432-416=B+ 415-399=B 398-383=B382-366=C+ 365-349=C 348-333=C332-316=D+ 315-299=D 298-282=D281=F

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is important for academic success and is expected of all students.

TESTING POLICY: All examinations are to be taken at the scheduled time. There are NO make-up opportunities for scheduled examinations.

OTHER COURSE EXPECTATIONS:

N/A

COURSE OBJECTIVES At the completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Understand the various definitions of psychological abnormality 2. Understand the past views and treatments for abnormal behavior 3. Understand current treatment trends 4. Understand the various psychological models of abnormality 5. Understand the various clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment paradigms 6. Understand the various DSM-IV diagnostic categories for mental illness 7. Understand the definition, triggers, and demographics of suicide 8. Understand the psychosocial factors and physical disorders related to abnormality 9. Understand eating disorders and treatment approaches 10. Understand addictions and related treatments 11. Understand sezual disorders and gender identity disorders 12. Understand disorders of memory and cognitive funtioning 13. Understand personality disorders 14. Understand disorders of childhood and old age 15. Understand the relationship between mental health and legal issues

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS