Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | PSY-2155-VO02 - Trauma: Origins & Impacts

Online Class

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

Faculty

Kimberly Quinn Smith
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 course uses one or more textbooks/books/simulations.

Fall 2025 textbook details will be available on 2025-05-19. 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-VO02 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.

Any assignments written with AI will receive a zero. All assignments will automatically be submitted to TurnItIn.

Methods

Course Objective:

This course will provide an in-depth look at trauma and chronic adversity, the many ways these can manifest, as well as treatment options for what has been termed complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). We will explore how the various parts of the brain are affected by trauma and how the brain can be re-wired. There will be a large focus on mindfulness practice as this is key to recovery.

In addition, students will be expected to utilize and develop their critical thinking skills and apply them to the material covered in this course. As we study the material in this course, you will be challenged to go beyond your textbook and share these intelligent thoughts and ideas with the class.

Text:

Mindfulness Skills for Trauma and PTSD-practices for recovery and resilience by Rachel Goldsmith Turow

The Boy Who Was Raised as A Dog-And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalawitz

The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Body, and Healing by Bessel Van der Kolk, MD.

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

Participation-The discussion forum is our “virtual classroom.” Each week the initial post is due by 10:00 pm on Wednesday and a minimum of 3 substantive responses to classmates by Sunday at 10:00 pm. No responses will be accepted after the discussion is closed for the week.

Please jump right in rather than waiting until the last minute, as this makes for a much livelier and more enriched learning experience for everyone . . .

Missing & Late Work Policy

Late Policy for Assignments

In order to be fair to all students, the following policy will be implemented for ALL late assignments with the exception of extenuating circumstances that have acquired my approval in advance.

This policy is for written assignments onlyand does not apply to the discussion.

Written assignments may be submitted within two weeks from the due date until 11:59 pm (the following Sunday) with a 10 percent late fee per day. Assignments submitted after this time will receive a zero.

Late Policy for the Discussion Forum

1. Theinitial postwill be accepted within 24 hours of the due date with a late fee of 3 points.
2. Responses to classmates are due at the designated time to keep the conversation rich with engagement and will not be accepted late. The Discussion Forum will close each week on Sunday at 10:00 pm. No credit can be earned after the discussion closes.

***Please communicate with me if you have any extenuating circumstances.

I want all of my wonderful students to be successful !!!

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

Apply Now for this semester.