ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
CONTACT
INFORMATION:
Instructor: Jennifer
Merrill
Office:
1122. Office hours held MWF 9:00
- 10:00 a.m., T 5:00 - 6:0 p.m.
Phone: (650)
738-4379
E-mail: merrill@smccd.edu
Web
site: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/merrill/index.html
COURSE INFORMATION:
Dept. number and section: Psychology 410 AA 35866
Hours: 3 hours lecture per week
Grading Method: Letter grade
Prerequisites: Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL
836.
Transfer and GE: Transfer credit: UC; CSU (D3),
IGETC (Area 4)
Required
Text: Halgin, R. & Whitbourne, S. Abnormal psychology (5th ed.), McGraw Hill
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon
successful completion of this class:
-
Students
will be able to demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical
perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in abnormal psychology.
-
Students
will be able to respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical
inquiry, and, when possible, use the scientific approach to solve problems
related to behavior and mental processes.
-
Students
will be able to understand and apply psychological principals to personal,
social, and organizational issues.
Final
grades will be based on a percentage of total points. Student grades will be based on the
following:
EXAMS: 170 points possible
Your first
two exams will each consist of 40 multiple choice items, each question worth
one point and one short answer question worth 10 points. Your final exam will consist of 70 multiple
choice items, each worth one point, and is cumulative. For each exam you will need a Scantron 886 and a number 2 pencil. You may make up the exam only if you notify
me before the exam. Make-up
exams: Make-up exams consist of 5 short answer/essay questions. Make-up
exams will be given directly after your final examination. Cheating
policy: Students caught cheating
during any exam will be subject to “Consequences of Academic Dishonesty” as
outlined in the Student Handbook. Please refer to the Student Handbook for more
information. Electronic translation devices are
not permitted. You may use hard copy translators, which must be presented for
inspection before each exam.
MOVIE
ASSIGNMENT: 50
points possible
Films often
contain characters that exhibit psychological disorders and/or altered mental
states. The film you will be analyzing this semester is Primal Fear
which can be rented at any video store. Later in the semester you will be given
specific questions to answer in a 3-5 page paper. This paper will have you
apply examples from the film to what you learned in lecture, the text and
discussion. Please be aware that this
movie contains some violence, brief nudity and strong language. If this is a
problem for you, please let me know as soon as possible so I can assign another
movie to you. Your paper must be typed and double-spaced. This assignment is
due March 7, 2008, at the beginning
of class. After that time, and for each day it is late, I will deduct 10%.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Throughout the semester I will be assigning material to be completed
outside of class. Due dates and points will be given at the time of the
assignment. These
assignments will be due at the beginning of class. After that time, and for
each day they are late, I will deduct 10%.
EXTRA CREDIT –
10 points possible
There are many ways to earn extra credit in this class. You
may attend workshops, campus sponsored events, read articles on reserve it the
library, or apply concepts learned in class to things presented in the media.
You may earn two points for each extra credit submission, and may earn no more
than a total of 10 extra credit points. Points earned will be added to points
already earned. EXTRA CREDIT MUST BE
COMPLETED BY FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008. Please see the Bulletin Board of my web site
for more specific information about extra credit opportunities.
*FINAL GRADE SCALE
Final
grades are based on a percentage of points earned. Please keep all graded work
until the end of the semester. Ninety percent of points earned is an A, 80% is a B, 70% is a C, 60 % is a D and 59% and
below is an F. You can keep track of your grade at all times by recording your
scores below. Also, please feel free to check your grade at any time during my
office hours.
Exam 1
_____/50
Homework_____/_____
Exam 2
_____/50
Homework_____/_____
Movie Paper
_____/50
Homework_____/_____
Final Exam
_____/70
Homework_____/_____
Extra Credit
_____
Homework_____/_____
*Points and number of assignments are subject to change.
BASIC INFORMATION
1. I will
shut the classroom door after taking roll and going over the daily agenda. If
the door is closed PLEASE DO NOT COME IN.
Please contact a classmate to get notes/assignments missed.
2. As
stated above, assignments are due at the BEGINNING
of class. If you are ill, have a work obligation or some other emergency, you
may e-mail your paper to me. It MUST be received during the class time when it
is due. After the beginning of class, and for each day it is late, I will
deduct 10%.
3. If
you are late to any exam you will be asked to take a make-up exam at the end of
the semester.
4. If
you choose to withdraw you must do so using the WebSmart
system. Failure to drop in a timely manner may result in an F in the class.
5.
Attendance will be taken daily. Students missing more than five classes (T/Th class) or seven classes (MWF class) may be dropped by
the instructor.
6.
Please turn off all pagers and cell phones before class begins. In case of emergency - and only in these cases - the cell
phone may be placed in silent mode. At no times are cell phones to be answered
or used in class for any purposes.
7.
All submitted work must be typed (double-spaced) and stapled.
STUDENTS
WITH DISBILITIES
If you have a disability and
require accommodations, please advise me during the first week of class. To be
provided with the appropriate accommodations, you will need to obtain a signed
form from the Disabled Students Programs and Services (650-738-4280).
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic dishonesty is a grave mistake and one that I do not
take lightly. It includes cheating and plagiarism and should I find you doing
either I will adhere to the consequences as outlined in the Student Handbook. I
strongly suggest you refer to the Student Handbook for
READING/ASSIGNMENT
SCHEDULE*
1/23-2/27 Introduction to course, Chapter 1
– Understanding Abnormality
Chapter 2 – Classification and Treatment Plans
Chapter 10 – Personality Disorders
2/29 EXAM
#1 (chapters 1, 2, 6, 10)
3/3 – 4/9 Chapter 9 – Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
Chapter
5 – Anxiety Disorders
Chapter
8 – Mood Disorders
MOVIE PAPER DUE MARCH 7
4/11 EXAM #2 (chapters 5,8,9)
ALL EXTRA CREDIT DUE MAY 2
4/14 – 5/23 Chapter 7 – Sexual Disorders
Chapter 13 – Substance-Related
Disorders
Chapter 14 –
Eating Disorders and Impulse-Control
Disorders
FINAL EXAM TO BE
HELD MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2008
8:10 – 10:40 A.M.
*Dates, contents and point values stated on syllabus
subject to change.