Course Instructor: Peter Myers, Psy. D.

Office: S-307H

Phone: (312) 440-1203 Daytimes

(773) 975-7910 Evenings (Until 10:30 PM)

Email: Pmyers@juvenile.org

Office Hours: By appointment
 
 
 

Goal of the Course
 

This course will provide students with a survey of the field of psychopathology. Students will develop an understanding of the major emotional disorders including their description of symptomatology, etiology, and potential modes of treatment.
 

Objective
 

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
 

Identify and describe the main characteristics displayed by persons experiencing various emotional distress and disorder.
 

Identify and explain what factors have potentially contributed to the development of major emotional distress or disorder.
 

Describe both theoretically and practically the approaches which are in use in the treatment of the different forms of abnormal behavior.
 

Describe some of the legal and ethical considerations involved in both diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior.
 

Classify major emotional distress and disorders with the DSM-IV system.
 

Appreciate and respect the human uniqueness and dignity of persons with emotional or mental disorders.
 
 
 

Means
 

To achieve the stated objectives, the student will complete the following assignments:
 

Complete all assigned reading in the required texts and handhouts.
 

Complete related chapters in the study guide.
 

Attend all classes and actively participate in class discussions.
 

Complete all weekly homework assignments.
 

Complete a review of a first person account of an emotional illness and write a paper describing the illness and potential treatment methods.
 

Complete 11 quizzes and 3 non-cumulative tests.
 
 
 

Texts and Materials
 

Durand, V. M. (1996). Abnormal psychology: An introduction. Pacific Rove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
 

Santogrossi, D. A. (1997) Study guide for Durand & Barlow's "Abnormal psychology: An introduction. Pacific Rove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
 
 
 

Requirements
 

Attendance and Participation: Since this class will emphasize discussion and presentation of clinical material during class, the student's learning experience and grade will be highly correlated with level of attendance, preparation outside of class, and participation in classroom activities.
 

Weekly homework assignments: At the end of each class an assignment will be passed out that is to be completed by the beginning of the following class meeting. As these assignments will be discussed in class no late assignments will be accepted.
 

Quizzes: There will be a 10 item multiple choice quiz on each assigned chapter. These will be give at the start of each session. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Case Study: Each student will select a first person account of an emotional illness to read and to complete a case study.
 

Tests: Three non-cumulative tests will be given.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Grading System:
 

All assignments are expected to be completed and turned in on the assigned due date. All late work will be penalized. Only in those instances in which the course instructor authorized an extension prior to the due date will a late assignment be accepted.
 

Items

Participation 100 pts

Homework Assignments 10 pts each 100 pts

Quizzes (lowest Dropped) 10 pts each 100 pts

Test 1 200 pts

Test 2 200 pts

Test 3 150 pts

Paper 1 50 pts

Paper 2 100 pts

Total 1000 pts
 

Determinations of grades
 

1000 - 900 = A

899 - 800 = B

799 - 700 = C

699 - 600 = D

599 - Below = F
 
 
 
 
 

Class Schedule
 
 
 

Week 1 Introduction to Course

8/28/99 Historical Overview of Abnormal Psychology
 

Readings: Chapter 1
 

Week 2 Multi-Integrative Approach to Abnormal

9/4/99 Psychology
 

Readings: Chapter 2
 

Assignments: Homework 1

Quiz 1
 
 
 

Week 3 DSM-IV Classification System

9/11/99

Readings: Chapter 3
 

Assignments: Homework 2

Quiz 2
 

Week 4 Anxiety and Adjustment Disorders

9/18/99
 

Readings: Chapter 4
 

Assignments: Homework 3

Quiz 3
 

Week 5 Introduction to Mood Disorders

9/25/99 ***Review for TEST 1***
 

Readings: Chapter 6
 

Assignments: Homework 4

Quiz 4

Paper Topic Due
 

Week 6 TEST 1

10/2/99 Covering Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4
 

Week 7 Mood Disorders

10/9/99 Eating and Sleeping Disorders
 

Readings: Chapter 8
 

Assignments: Homework 5

Quiz 5
 

Week 8 Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders

10/16/99
 

Readings: Chapter 9
 

Assignments: Homework 6

Quiz 6
 

Week 9 Substance Abuse Disorders

10/23/99 ***Review for TEST 2***

Readings: Chapter 10
 

Assignments: Homework 7

Quiz 7

Paper 1
 

Week 10 TEST 2

10/30/99 Covering Chapters 6, 8, 9, & 10
 

Week 11 Personality Disorders

11/6/99
 

Readings: Chapter 11
 

Assignments: Homework 8

Quiz 8

Week 12 Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

11/13/99
 

Readings: Chapter 12
 

Assignments: Homework 9

Quiz 9
 

Week 13 Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

11/20/99 ***Review for TEST 3***

Readings: Handouts
 

Assignments: Homework 10

Quiz 10

Paper 2
 

Week 14 Legal and ethical issues in treatment

11/27/99 ***Review for TEST 3***
 

Readings: Chapter 14
 

Assignments: Quiz 11

Week 15 TEST 3

12/4/99 Covering Chapters 11, 12, & 14