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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Abnormal Psychology

Course Title:	Abnormal Psychology
Department:	Social and Behavioral Sciences / Social Work
Instructor:	Suzanne Fraser, PsyD, NCC, LADC, CSAC E-Mail - Vita
Emergency Phone Number:	518-932-4725

Overview:

This course provides students an introduction to the subject of abnormal psychology as defined by the DSM-IV- Text Revision. The major models of abnormal psychology—psychological, biological and sociological -will be reviewed. Current treatment approaches will be briefly reviewed. Multicultural, legal and ethical issues will be presented. Students will be encouraged to think critically about the topic and apply definitions to “real life” examples.

Required Texts:      Online Bookstore

Comer, Ronald J., Abnormal Psychology (Sixth Edition), 2006/2007, Worth Publishers (Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishing Group), NY,NY.
ISBN: 0716769069
ISBN-13: 9780716769064
Additional Content Web Site: http://www.worthpublishers.com/comerabpsych6e

Abnormal Psychology Student Workbook
ISBN: 071676928X
ISBN-13: 9780716769286

You can purchase both books together in a single package.
Sometimes the package deals can be more affordable.

To get the Abnormal Psychology textbook & Student Workbook (Study Guide) together use:
ISBN: 0716762366 ISBN-13: 9780716762362

An optional CD when included may or may not reduce the price in the package deal.

Here are two package deals that include a CD. It has short video interviews of people affected with disorders that are mentioned in the textbook.

Abnormal Psychology textbook, Student CD, Student Workbook (Study Guide), & Clinical Neuroscience Reader.
ISBN: 1429200278 ISBN-13: 9781429200271

Abnormal Psychology textbook, Cd-Rom, Student Workbook (Study Guide), & Case Studies.
ISBN: 1429200847 ISBN-13: 9781429200844

WEIGHTING OF ASSIGNMENTS

ASSIGNMENT Discussion Questions (including Web Search) Midterm Exam Final Exam

WEEK 1-8 4 8

Percentage of Grade 40% 30% 30%

Percentage 95-100 90-94 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 55 and below

Grade equivalent A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F

WEEKLY TOPICS & ASSIGNMENTS

Discussion Questions can be found in the Canyon College classroom under the "Lectures" selection.

It is suggested that each answer for the Discussion Questions and Web Site Discovery Description be 200 words each.

WEEK ONE: Models of Abnormality - Chapters 1 & 3

Objectives:

• Understand the definition of abnormal psychology
• Understand models of abnormal behavior

Assignments:

1. Required Reading:
   
   Week One Lecture Notes
   Chapter 1 & 3 from Comer text

2. Log on to the Comer Textbook Web Page

3. Complete Discussion Questions for Week One

4. Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

5. Send your Discussion Question & Web search to the Canyon College Web Mail, addressed to srfraser@canyoncollege.edu

WEEK TWO: Anxiety Disorders, Stress Related Disorders - Chapters 5 & 6

Objectives;

• Recognize the difference between anxiety disorders and phobias
• Understand panic, obsessive-compulsive and stress disorders

Assignments:

1. Required Reading:
   
   Lecture Notes
   Chapters 5 & 6

2. Log on to the Comer Web Page

3. Complete the Discussion Question for Week Two

Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

Send your Discussion Question & Web search to the Canyon College Web Mail, addressed to srfraser@canyoncollege.edu

WEEK THREE: Mood Disorders, Suicide - Chapters 8 & 10

Objectives:

• Understand Mood Disorders
• Become familiar with factors involved in suicide

Assignments:

1. Required Reading
   
   Lecture Notes
   Chapters 8 & 10

2. Log on to the Comer Web Page

3. Complete the Discussion Question for Week Three

Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

Send your Discussion Question & Web search

WEEK FOUR: Eating Disorders, Substance Related Disorders - Chapters 11 & 12

Assignments:

1. Required Reading:
   
   Lecture Notes
   Chapters 11 & 12

2. Log on to the Comer Web Page

3. Complete the Discussion Question for Week Four

Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

Send your Discussion Question & Web search to the Canyon College Web Mail, addressed to srfraser@canyoncollege.edu

COMPLETE MIDTERM EXAM (Notify instructor that you are ready to take exam.)
You may refer to / use your textbook during the exam.

WEEK FIVE: Schizophrenia - Chapter 14

Assignments:

1. Required Reading:
   
   Lecture Notes
   Chapters 14

2. Log on to the Comer Web Page

3. Complete the Discussion Question for Week FIVE

Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

Send your Discussion Question & Web search to the Canyon College Web Mail, addressed to srfraser@canyoncollege.edu

WEEK SIX: Personality Disorders - Chapter 16

1. Required Reading:
   
   Lecture Notes
   Chapter 16

2. Log on to the Comer Web Page

3. Complete the Discussion Question for Week Six

Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

Send your Discussion Question & Web search to the Canyon College Web Mail, addressed to srfraser@canyoncollege.edu

WEEK SEVEN: Developmental Disorders, Disorders of Aging & Cognition - Chapters 17 & 18

1. Required Reading:
   
   Lecture Notes
   Chapter 17 & 18

2. Log on to the Comer Web Page

3. Complete the Discussion Question for Week Seven

Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

Send your Discussion Question & Web search to the Canyon College Web Mail, addressed to srfraser@canyoncollege.edu

WEEK EIGHT: Law, Society & Mental Health - Chapter 19

1. Required Reading:
   
   Lecture Notes
   Chapter 19

2. Log on to the Comer Web Page

3. Complete the Discussion Question for Week Eight

Review either suggested Web site from the Lecture Notes or a link from Comer’s Web Page and describe one of your discoveries from this site, including the Web address.

Send your Discussion Question & Web search to the Canyon College Web Mail, addressed to srfraser@canyoncollege.edu

Notify instructor that you are ready to take the Final Exam.
You may refer to / use your textbook during the exam.