PSYCHOLOGY 3033
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
(SBU.CCTC.MAR 2004)
© 2003-2004 SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered, caring academic
community preparing students to be servant leaders in a global society
Lewis E. Schollian College of Education and Social Sciences, Department
of Behavioral Sciences
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly
kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1: 5-7
Instructor: Richard Brewer, Psy.D.
Southwest Baptist University
1600 University Avenue
Bolivar, MO 65613
Read this entire syllabus. There is a “Welcome”
statement at the end.
Disability Disclaimer:
It is the desire of Southwest Baptist University to provide all students
with optimum learning experiences. If there are circumstances, due
to disability, that may impact your learning in this course, it is necessary
for you to inform your instructor within one week of official enrollment
(as determined by the Department of Extended Learning) in this course.
If you do not notify your instructor, it will be assumed that you do not
require special assistance.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Carson, R. C., Butcher, J. N., & Mineka, S. (2002). Fundamentals
of Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
ISBN# 0-321-03425-2
Study guide for Carson, Butcher, and Mineka (2002) Fundamentals
of Abnormal Psychology and Modern Life: Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
ISBN# 0-205-34517-4
Course Description:
Abnormal Psychology is an upper-level, undergraduate course designed
to emphasize perspectives on abnormal behavior. The course will provide
a basic description of the various diagnostic categories. Additionally,
some time will be focused on the assessment, treatment, and prevention
of the disorders cover. Lastly, some contemporary issues will be considered.
Prerequisite:
PSY 1013 – General Psychology is a prerequisite for taking this
course.
Course Objectives:
It is anticipated that the student, through the duration of this
course, will:
A. Develop a working knowledge of the various
types of abnormal behavior.
B. Be able to delineate, more clearly, between
normal and abnormal behavior.
C. Gain an increasing awareness of the historical,
biological, psychosocial, and social/cultural factors which affect and
"determine" abnormal behavior.
D. Begin to understand the assessment, treatment,
and prevention of maladaptive behaviors.
E. Begin to understand abnormal behavior in light
of one's Christian faith.
Course Requirements:
Reading of the textbook: provides necessary background for
understanding of the various disorders, treatments, etiology, etc. Reading
the textbook will also help you prepare for completion of the study guide
and exams.
Disciplined reading is critical for success in this course. Keeping
current with the reading, as well as with terminology, is essential.
Note the major terms are highlighted in bold in the textbook. Keeping
current with the readings and definitions will assist you greatly as you
prepare for the scheduled exams.
A suggested study sequence is to: read the chapter in the
text, review the Chapter Learning Objectives, Chapter Key Terms, and Chapter
Outline and complete the study guide.
Study Guide (75 points): Completion of the study guide will
earn you 75 points, help you consolidate the course material and assist
you as you prepare for exams. At the end of the course you should postal
mail your study guide to me using the address listed above.
Exams (395 points):
Six (6) unit exams will be given. The exams are online and
web-based. Your exam results will be posted automatically in your gradebook,
located in My Grades under the Tools button.
Exam 1: Chapters 1-3 = 35 points
Exam 2: Chapters 4-6 = 75 points
Exam 3: Chapters 7-9 = 75 points
Exam 4: Chapters 10-11 = 65 points
Exam 5: Chapters 12-13 = 70 points
Exam 6: Chapters 14-15 = 75 points
Exams will consist of multiple-choice, completion, and vignettes
requiring diagnoses. Questions will be taken from text material.
Exams are to be scheduled through the Department of Extended Learning.
Reflection questions (30 points). 10 points each.
Minimum of 250 words. Choose 3 of
the 7.
1 - Chapters 1-3 cover the historical developments, causal factors
and viewpoints, as well as clinical assessment and treatment of
abnormal behavior. How do you conceptualize abnormal behavior? And, more
specifically, what position do you take on exorcism? Explain.
2 - Chapters 4-6 describe stress related, anxiety, mood disorders,
and suicide. In your opinion, how do these disorders factor into the Christian
experience? Explain.
3 - Chapters 7-8 address the somatoform disorders, compromisers
of physical health, eating disorders, and personality
Disorders. Choose any one of the disorders and describe what you
believe could be a spiritual element that relates to its development or
treatment.
4 - Chapters 10-11 describe the substance-related disorders, sexual
variants, sexual abuse, and sexual dysfunctions. Explain how some type
of Christian education could help address treatment with
one specific disorder.
5 - Chapters 12-13 describe the schizophrenias, brain disorders,
and other cognitive impairments. It is common in these disorders for there
to be some type of religious delusion. Explain what you believe to be
the reason for such.
6 - Chapter 14 addresses disorders of childhood and adolescence.
Describe how Proverbs 22:6 might be used to relate to any one of the disorders
covered.
7 - Chapter 15 addresses perspectives on prevention. How might the
church address one of the three types of intervention covered in this
chapter?
Submission of Reflection Questions:
Choose 3 of the 7 to submit. E-mail all your responses to me. You
may use Send E-mail option under the Communication button.
Here is the sequence: Submit your first question BEFORE you
take your unit 1 exam; submit your second question BEFORE unit 3
exam, and third question BEFORE the comprehensive exam 5.
You may submit the question and response in an attached Microsoft
Word document or place the question and response in the body of
an e-mail. The minimum length of each response is 250 words.
When you e-mail, place the following in the subject line: PSY3033CCTCReflection(submisson
#)- Your Name. For example: PSY3033CCTCReflection1-Bob Hartman
Evaluation:
There are 500 possible in this course. The grade breakdown is
as follows:
450-500 points = A
400-449 points = B
350-399 points = C
300-349 points = D
Welcome to this course
Please feel free to contact me at any time should you have questions
or concerns. You may e-mail me questions or comments. My e-mail can be
found by clicking-on the "Faculty Information" button. I will attempt
to response to your inquiry within 48 hours of receipt.
Some of the material is difficult. Plan to spend a good deal of
time on those sections. Remember, there is no substitute for careful reading.
Use the study guide to assist you in your study. Resist the temptation
to use the study guide as a substitute for reading the textbook. Also, resist
the temptation to look up answers in the study guide. Rather, spend time
working to discover the answer on your own. That will insure greater learning,
greater retention, and greater performance on the exams.