Course Syllabus

Spring 2025 | PSY-2155-VO01 - Trauma: Origins & Impacts

Online Class

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

Faculty

Valerie Welter
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 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 course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Spring 2025 textbook/book details will be available on 2024-12-06. 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-2155-VO01 Link to Textbooks for this course in eCampus.

For Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

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.

Methods

This is online class. Presentation of course topical material, discussion, and student participation will take place exclusively through Canvas. Material will be presented using several methods including but not limited to our text, ancillary websites, videos and podcasts.

The course requires non-traditional textbooks. I believe the required texts serve as invaluable learning guides for students as we begin to examine the complex issue of trauma. Resources to supplement the texts and expand our collective discussions will be utilized as well. These will be available to students in the weekly modules as Assigned Resources.

Required Texts:

Principles of Trauma Therapy: A Guide to Symptoms, Evaluation, and Treatment: DSM-5 Update, 2^nd ed. (2015) by John N. Briere & Catherine Scott. ISBN-13: 978-1483351247

Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence-From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror (2015) by Judith Herman, M.D. ISBN-13: 978-0465061716

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (2015) by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. ISBN-13: 978-0143127741

Prior to the course opening, please read the assigned Week 1 reading below. The reading will be addressed in the Week 1 discussion and assignments when the course opens.

Briere & Scott: Introduction and Chapter 1

A detailed syllabus that includes the weekly assigned chapter reading, supplementary resources and assignments will be available in the weekly modules on the course page in Canvas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions about the course.

Evaluation Criteria

Most weeks there will be two assignments. Students will submit assignments directly into the discussion forums. Assignments should be comprehensive, well-organized, and academically developed responses, a minimum of 350 words (some weeks later in the semester will require only one 500-words assignment). Include thoughtful, substantive ideas addressing the assignment. Proofread for spelling, grammar and mechanics. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by contributing quality topical material from our readings and ancillary resources. Reference the assigned readings/resources in your coursework to support your thoughts and conclusions and to demonstrate an understanding of the weekly topical material. Reply to classmates with substantive responses; respond by finding points of agreement, disagreement (respectful), expanding upon or questioning. Answer topic-related questions your classmates raise. Active participation in the discussion forums is essential to your overall success in the course. The discussion forums offer students the opportunity to express thoughts, ask questions for clarification, and gain insight from your classmates’ responses and instructor’s guidance

Coursework should be written in college-level English, and should show evidence of critical thinking. You should support your opinions with references to our readings cited appropriately using APA format.

To earn full points for the week, students are required to:

1. Read the assigned material andreference it in your assignments and substantive response posts. Cite appropriately using APA format.

2. Contribute quality topical information to the discussion submitted incollege-level writing. Your first assignment should besubmitted by Thursday midnight, the second by Saturday midnight. All required postings for the week must be made by Monday at midnight (11:59 pm).Postings made after Monday midnight will not be considered for grading without prior communication with me.

3. Participate ontwo different days throughout the week.

4. Respond to at leastfourquestions or postings made by other students and/orme with asubstantive post, which references our readings.Two responses are due in each of the weekly discussion forums. A substantive post for the purpose of this course is a well-developed post, aminimum 150 words, that references our readings or other appropriate source. A substantive post isNOTone ortwo sentences of general statements or unsupported opinion. Students are welcome to reply to one another with general statements in addition to the guidelines outlined above; however these posts do not meet the criteria of a substantive post.

5. Quizzes will not be used in the course, students are evaluated on their ability to synthesize course readings/resources into assignments and discussion posts. Assignments/posts should demonstrate an understanding of course content; course concepts and vocabulary should be evident.

• In summary, each week students are responsible for TWO assignments and FOUR substantive response posts for a total of SIX submissions.
• Students' assignments and substantive responses will be graded within one week of a weekly module closing. For example, our weekly modules close on Mondays (11:59 pm). Students' coursework will be graded by the following Monday (11:59 pm).

Learning will be assessed through the completion of the weekly assignments & discussion forums and final course presentation. The weekly assignments & discussion forums will be evaluated on the following criteria:

COMPLETENESS: Does the assignment meet the word length requirement? Did you add at least two substantive responses in each discussion forum? Did you address all of the assignment prompts and does your writing reflect a thorough and critical consideration of the weekly material?

APPLICATION & ANALYSIS: Did you connect your assignment and substantive responses to the assigned weekly readings and resources? Do you demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the weekly topical material? Did you provide examples, detail any generalized statements, and substantiate with concrete explanations?

CONSTRUCTION: Did you use complete sentences, proper grammar, accurate spelling, good paragraph structure, and logical organization in your work? Did you cite the course information you referenced using APA format?

TIMELINESS & PARTICIPATION: Did you submit your assignment on time? Did you participate in the online discussion a minimum of two different days?

14 weeks @ 40 points each: 560 points

Introduction: 5 points

Final Presentation Topic: 10 points

Final Presentation: 100 points

Total: 675 points

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.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Extensions will be granted only in extenuating circumstances. If you anticipate a lengthy medical problem or other emergent personal issue that will result in missing weekly discussions, please contact me proactively. 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.

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