Fall 2026 | PSY-2155-VO01 - Trauma: Origins & Impacts

Online Class

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

Faculty

Marie Olsen
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Kate Hughes

General Education Requirements

Social Science

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 introduces students to a variety of viewpoints on human trauma from contemporary social science disciplines. Students will explore the nature and impact of trauma across the lifespan and will discuss current theories, research, and interventions. The course will examine societal impacts and responses to trauma from global, cultural, and historical perspectives. Recommended prior learning: Introduction to Psychology, Human Growth & Development, or Child Development.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe the causes and characteristics of various types of human trauma and traumatic stress.
2. Examine current scientific theories and research regarding the impacts of individual and societal trauma and recommended interventions.
3. Explore the biological, cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal impacts of trauma on individuals over the lifespan.
4. Examine the societal costs and impacts of trauma from global, cultural, economic, political, and historical perspectives.
5. Describe common behavioral manifestations of trauma in children, adolescents, adults and in traumatized communities.
6. Describe examples of trauma-informed practice and factors that promote resiliency in the helping professions (Criminal Justice, Human Services, Education, Healthcare, Substance Abuse work, etc.).

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

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.

Fall 2026 textbook details will be available on 2026-05-18. 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-2155-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.

Prohibited: The use of generative AI is not allowed in this course, with the exception of spellcheck, grammar check and similar tools. This course rests in the value of students engaging in the learning process without relying on AI-generated content. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently, owning their learning journey from start to finish. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Methods

This class requires 4 basic kinds of student participation:

o Readings and/or viewing of video clips posted in the online classroom

o Participation in weekly discussion questions in the discussion group

o Completion of weekly assignments

o Completion of resiliency activity and journal reflection

Evaluation Criteria

The following guidelines will be used to award 10 discussion board points:

Original posting by Thursday at 11:55pm.

Content of postings illustrates a thorough understanding of the topic – 3 possible points

Two quality responses to classmate’s posts to include proper APA references by Monday at 11:55pm – 2 points each – 4 total possible points

Use of correct punctuation, capitalization, little to no grammatical errors (see General Guidelines in syllabus) – 1 possible point

All original postings are cited using correct APA format, including the APA reference for the resources used – 2 possible points

The following guidelines will be used to award 10 assignment points per week:

Handed in on time by Monday at 11:55pm– 1 possible point

Content of assignments illustrates a thorough understanding of the topic, original ideas, critical thinking, linking information back to additional research and one's experiences, using correct APA format, including the APA reference for the resources used – 5 possible points

Grammar/general guidelines – 2 possible points

References are cited using correct APA format – 2 possible points

The following guidelines will be used to aware 10 resiliency and journal entries points per week:

Submitted on time by Monday at 11:55pm– 1 possible point

Well written, well organized, proper grammar and spelling – 2 points

Well-developed; shows evidence of reflection; new ideas introduced, reflects a good grasp of concepts presented – 3 points

Demonstrates critical thinking and the ability to apply concepts, including feedback on any contraindications – 4 points

Number of points available:

150 total possible points –15 Discussions

150 total possible points - 15 Weekly Assignments

140 total possible points – 14 resiliency activities and journal reflections

10 possible points - Quiz

10 possible points – Course Evaluation

460 total points possible

440 – 460 points - A

419 - 439 points - B

398 – 418 points - C

0 – 397 points - F

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

Course Schedule:

Each week you will need to complete the following:

• Read the weekly lesson. The weekly lesson will be posted in our online module every Monday at 11:55pm until the following Monday at 11:55pm.
• Post in the weekly Discussion Forum by Thursday at 11:55pm.
• Respond to two other students’ posts in the Discussion Forum by the following Monday at 11:55pm.
• Complete the lesson assignments in each course lesson by the following Monday at 11:55pm.
• Complete the resiliency activity and journal entry in each course lesson by the following Monday at 11:55pm.

Attendance is based on participation. Participation is a key component of this course; in fact this course is dependent upon student participation and collaboration. Each student is expected to contribute actively on a weekly basis to the online class discussions. In order to receive full credit for participation each week, students are required to post on at least 2 different days and to make one original post (by Thursday at 11:55pm) and respond to at least two other student/instructor posts/questions (by Monday at 11:55pm) each week.

If you anticipate being unable to participate in class discussions at any point in the semester, you must discuss this with the instructor as soon as possible and prior to the absence. Please note that participation is required and necessary in order to pass this course. You are allowed one absence (but will miss points for that week). Two absences will result in your overall course grade being reduced by one letter grade. Three or more absences in class discussion will result in a non-passing grade for the entire course, regardless of other earned grades in the course.

Note: Many students may have personally experienced trauma or know friends or family members who have been exposed to traumatic events. With this in mind, all students should discuss course topics respectfully and empathically. No one should feel pushed to discuss their own experiences with trauma, and those who choose to share their experiences should consider appropriate and professional ways to self-disclose. Students should keep in mind that this course is not designed to be a self-help mechanism or to assist students with their own (or others’) psychological challenges.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Late Work and Extension Policies:

Extensions will be granted only in extenuating circumstances. Because the course content is delivered in weekly modules, short-term conditions such as illness or technical problems will not be considered to be extenuating. Students who know that they will not have course access for any given week should make arrangements with their instructor in advance to complete assignments and participation requirements prior to the absence.

Unless you have prior authorization from the instructor of this course, there are no opportunities for making up missed assignments or discussions. Additionally, there are no opportunities for “Bonus” work or extra credit in this class. Due to the nature of the online format, you will be expected to hand in all assignments by their due date – Mondays of each week by 11:55pm.

This course does not offer extra credit work, bonus points, late submissions or extensions on assignments.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/student-support/accessibility-services/
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

Apply Now for this semester.