Course Syllabus

Summer 2024 | PSY-2060-VO01 - Psychopathology

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Mike Sauro
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Kate Hughes

General Education Requirements

VSCS Social Sciences

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the study of psychopathology which explores the description, classification, and treatment of mental disorders. Topics will include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and childhood disorders.

Essential Objectives

1. Analyze the shifting concept of maladaptive behavior within the cross-cultural spectrum of human conduct.
2. Describe the development of psychopathology as a scientific discipline.
3. Compare and contrast the major paradigms in psychopathology including biological, psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and sociocultural models.
4. Describe common symptoms and treatments of mental disorders including anxiety, mood, somatic, dissociative, sexual, and psychotic disorders.
5. Identify and analyze several legal and ethical issues surrounding the research and treatment of mental disorders.
6. Distinguish between fact and opinion, recognize unstated assumptions, and evaluate arguments according to the quality of supporting evidence in the literature.
7. Locate, select, and effectively use research materials that address specific problems in psychopathology.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a low cost ($50 or less) textbook or resource class. ***

This course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Summer 2024 textbook details will be available on 2023-11-06. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be specific to this class. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks/books.

PSY-2060-VO01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Integrated: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges the use of AI is an essential skill in today's world. By using genAI for specific purposes, students become equipped with relevant skills and tools necessary to thrive in a technology-driven society. Emphasizing the mastery of generative AI should empower you to harness its potential, enhancing your problem-solving abilities and preparing you for future challenges and opportunities. Be aware, however, that any time generative AI is used at any point in the assignment without attribution it may be considered a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

If students utilize any generative AI platform to complete an assignment, it must be cited at the conclusion of the assignment.

Methods

• Readings from the eText, Abnormal Psychology (Lumen Learning).
• Weekly Discussion Forums, some involving the analysis of Case Studies.
  
• Module Quizzes.
• Weekly Short Individual Assignments.
• Movie Review.
• Midterm and Final Examinations.
  
• Optional Extra Credit Opportunities.

Evaluation Criteria

Students will be evaluated utilizing the following methods:

• Weekly Discussions (1200 possible points): After material is introduced for each instructional unit, students will be expected to participate in and complete weekly Discussion Forums. Some are designed to increase comprehension and practical use of course material, while others will present a Case Study for analysis.
• Module Quizzes (1400 possible points): Students will take a short, multiple choice quiz related to the material covered in each module.
• Midterm and Final Examinations (250 possible points each, for a total of 500 possible points): Two examinations, worth 250 points each, will correspond to specific modules of instruction. Examinations are open book and consist of multiple choice items. Questions will reflect knowledge of facts and concepts, as well as application of facts and concepts.
• Weekly, Short Individual Assignments (1200 possible points): Each module will have an individual assignment, worth 100 points each, attached to it. Students are expected to complete the assignments by the designated date. For each day an assignment is late, the student will be penalized five (5) points, up to a maximum of 25 points (possibly earning a grade up to 75 points). After two weeks, the late assignment will not be accepted for credit.
• Movie Review (500 possible points): Students will select a movie from a provided list, view it, and respond to a set of questions. The review will be posted in a Discussion Forum for other students to read and comment upon. More detailed instructions can be found on the course space in Canvas.
• Optional Extra Credit Opportunities (800 possible points): There will be four optional extra credit opportunities, each worth 200 points, available at various points throughout the semester. The points awarded will not count towards the student's daily average. They will be added into the total points earned at the completion of the semester. It is strongly recommended that students take advantage of these opportunities to boost their grades.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

To earn full participation points for the week, students should:

• Read the assigned material and demonstrate an understanding of those resources in your assignments and posts. Readings and resources should be cited using APA format.
• Post an original response to the weekly prompt(s) before Thursday at midnight (11:59 PM) and a minimum of two responses to peers before Monday at midnight (11:59 PM). You are welcome to post early and/or more frequently, as your schedule allows, but you will not receive full credit if you do not meet these minimum requirements and/or deadlines.
• Discussion Forum Posts should be substantive and demonstrate college-level writing. A substantive post is well-developed, a minimum 150 words, answers all question prompts, and references the reading or another appropriate source. A substantive post is NOT one or two sentences of general statements or unsupported opinion.
• Discussion Forum Responses should be substantial and thoughtful, demonstrating an analysis of the other students' thoughts and ideas, and meaningfully extending the discussion by either building on the other students' posts or by asking questions for further clarification. Simply stating, "I agree" or "Great post!", does not meet this criteria.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Assignments are expected to be completed by the due date. Assignments will lose five (5) points for each day they are late, up to a maximum of 25 points. After two weeks from the due date, the assignment will NOT receive credit. NOTE: In case of illness, a copy of a doctor’s note will be required for full credit.

It is required that individual out-of-class assignments be submitted through the course space on Canvas. Assignments that are attached to e-mails will not be accepted.

Attachments must be in a Microsoft Word or Open Office format, with one of the following extensions: .doc,.docx (Microsoft),.odt (Open Office), .txt (WordPad), .PDF (Adobe Acrobat), or .rtf (rich text). Extensions that I am unable to open and will not accept: .pages.zip (Mac), .png, or .jpg.

Students who use Apple computers: Assignments must be saved and attached as a PDF.

Students who use Google Docs: Assignments must be saved and attached as a PDF or Word document. Please DO NOT send me a link to your Google Docs folder.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity