Essential Psychopathology and Its Treatment by Maxmen and Ward. 1995. 2nd ed. New York: Norton
and Co. ISBN #: 0393701735
Course Overview:
This course provides a basic understanding of assessment and the diagnostic processes used in
the mental health system. It includes diagnostic categories, and illuminates them with
psychodynamic, behavioral, social and biological theories. In a practical manner, it describes
the genetics, epidemiology, neurochemistry and psychopharmacology of mental disorders.
Course Requirements:
This is a "contract for grade" course in which you determine how much you want to complete for a
specific grade, as follows:
For a "C":
Write a 2-3 page reaction paper for each chapter 1-21, except chapter 6. This should contain
your thoughts about the information presented, not just a summary of the chapter. What did you
learn?
Complete an Open Book final exam - objective in nature, achieving at least 70% or better.
For a "B": Complete the above, plus....
Interview a practicing counselor, social worker or psychologist and write it up in 3-5 pages.
Complete an Open Book final exam, achieving at least 80%.
For an "A": Complete the above, plus....
Write 3-5 paragraphs about the 5 most important points you learned in this course AND 1-2
paragraphs about 5 secondary points that were significant.
Complete an "Open Book" final exam, achieving at least 90%.
All work is to be emailed to the instructor when complete. The final exam will be authorized by
the instructor for you to take when all other work is completed. Please advise your instructor
when you are ready to take it. It is an online exam that will be graded immediately and then
sent to your instructor. For those not achieving the required percentage on the final to satisfy
the grade contracted for, a "minus" grade will be awarded. For example, if you contract for a "B"
but only score 75% on the final, you will receive a B- as your final grade.
Please email the grade you wish to contract for in your first reaction paper for chapter 1. This
contract can be changed if you desire to do so at a later time.
If you have questions, please feel free to email your instructor at any time. Email is answered
nearly every day with the exception of vacation time, which you will be notified about.
