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Canyon College

online Psychopharmacology course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Psychopharmacology

Course Title:
Department:
Meets:
Instructor:
Office Hours: 		Psychopharmacology
Social and Behavioral Sciences / Social Work
Internet
George A. Wolford, Ph.D. E-Mail - Vita
Telephone conferences set by email


Course Description
Somewhere between the "Talking Cure" and hard biology there exists a balance between science and human variance. The use of psychotropic medications to treat psychologically diagnosed pathology treads on new ground. More has been learned about the brain in the past ten years than in all recorded history combined. What accelerations of brain function that may result from the newly mapped gene pool are hardly imaginable.

This course focuses on the structure and processes of psychopharmacology. Special emphasis is given to established pharmacological perspective, method and treatments. The topics studied include diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and discontinuance of some medications common to the treatment psychological disorders.

Course Objectives
Specific outcomes expected of students enrolled in this course include the following:
  1. An understanding and application of the biological/medical perspective.
  2. The ability to see the impact of social forces and placebo on behavior.
  3. An enhanced understanding of self and others.
  4. An awareness of the relevance of psychopharmacology to treatment.
  5. The ability to apply diagnostic and biological data to real life diagnosis.
  6. An understanding of appropriate and relevant technical vocabulary and concepts.
  7. An awareness of the scientific method and research techniques used to test psychotropic medication.
  8. An awareness of sources of reliable psychotropic medication data.
  9. An interest in and a desire to keep abreast of medical developments, problems and research findings.

Textbook Online Bookstore

There are 2 text books required
  1. Preston, J. (et.al.) (2004) Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists, Fourth Edition, New Harbinger Publications, ISBN-13: 9781572243996 ISBN : 1572243996

  2. Physicians' Desk Reference, Library/Hospital Edition, current edition, by Thomson (Thomson Healthcare, Thomson PDR).

    61st, 2007 Edition. ISBN-13: 9781563635687 ISBN: 1563635682
    or
    61st, 2007 Edition, may have a CD. ISBN-13: 9781563635694 ISBN: 1563635690
    or
    60th, 2006 Edition. ISBN-13: 9781563635267 ISBN: 1563635267
    or
    2005 Edition, ISBN: 1563634988 or ISBN: 156363497X if you already own it. Students starting after January 1, 2007 should check with the professor by e-mail to see if the 2005 is still acceptable.

Attendance Policy
Regular attendance (or study and lesson completion) is essential to maximum learning and academic success. The records and registration office of Canyon College are informed of excessive delays or incomplete assignments. If you can not attend a class or keep up with your work, please notify Dr. Wolford immediately.

Zero Tolerance Plagiarism and Cheating Policy
Plagiarism and other forms of cheating may result in failure of the assignment and/or the failure of the course.

Examinations
Examinations are administered during the course according to the class schedule. A comprehensive final will be given in the 8th and final session. During the course of grading, an exam will not be dropped from the total points possible.

Special Assignment
Students are expected to complete an additional research assignment and compile the information using APA format.

Choice #1
Read 10 articles dealing with one self-selected major aspect of psychopharmacology and write a 10 page paper synthesizing the contents. You must include the source of each article to receive full credit. *

Choice #2
Read 10 articles about the treatment of depression using medication and write a 10 page paper taking a position on the question "Are SSRI’s relied up to the exclusion of other methods?" Students must include the source’s of the articles to receive full credit. *

* The special assignment paper will be in American Psychological Association (APA) format. This is the standard format recognized for writing in the social sciences. Use one inch side margins, one and one half at the top and one inch at the bottom. Double space and use the following format for citations in your bibliography:

Mays, W. (1998) The Evaluation of Student Learning, Fobs Press, Winchester, MA

Mid-Term and Comprehensive Final Exam
Both exams will consist of one vignette based on each chapter.

Total Points

Mid-Term Exam
Comprehensive Final
Special Assignment

possible score
400
400
200

1000 total points


Grading Scale
92-100= A
82-91= B
70-81= C
60-69= D
59-0= F

Disabilities Statement
Students with special needs due to disabilities should inform the instructor prior to the second class meeting. If I do not hear from you, I will assume that you do not require special accommodations.

Weather and/or Down Server Policy
We do not generally cancel classes due to inclement weather. If weather prevents you from finishing your class work or getting online, please inform the instructor as soon as possible.

2000 Tentative Class Schedule.

Students will read the chapters in the time frame assigned below. Please direct questions directly to your faculty at wolford@canyoncollege.edu. In most cases, you will have a reply within the day. Telephone calls must be pre-arranged by email. Calls must be initiated by the student.

Exams will be emailed to the student the day of the exam. Students may email attachments in Word format.

Session 1
Read Part One, Chapters 1, 2, & 3. Read Appendix A, B, C, & E

Session 2
Read Part Two, Chapters 4, 5, & 6

Session 3
Read Part Two, Chapters 7, 8, 9, & 10

Session 4
Read Part Two, Chapters 11, 12, & 13 - MID-TERM EXAM

Session 5
Read Part Three, Chapters 14 & 15

Session 6
Read Part Three, Chapters 16 & 17 - PAPER DUE

Session 7
Read Part Three, Chapters 18, Appendix D, review Appendix F & G

Session 8
FINAL EXAMINATION