Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | PSY-2155-VO03S - Trauma: Origins & Impacts

Synchronous Class

Synchronous courses are delivered through a combination of online and regularly-scheduled Zoom sessions. In synchronous classes, students must attend Zoom sessions and actively engage with each other and faculty in course activities and discussions.

Faculty

Jessica Bowen
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, along with free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials.

Fall 2025 textbook/book 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-VO03S 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.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

Written assignments WILL be checked for plagarism and AI use. If you are struggling with an assignment, please schedule a time to speak with me rather than copying someone's (or something's) work.

Methods

Each week will follow a similar format (with some exceptions):

*Small and large group discussions via Canvas and Zoom on computer/laptop/tablet (no phones)

*Interactive projects and/or activities

*Multimedia presentations and resources

*Readings, writing, and inquiry-based research

PLEASE NOTE: Zoom is an online conferencing tool that utilizes video, audio, and visual tools. If you will require accommodations in accessing this tool (or any aspect of this class), please contact your ADA Advisorbeforethe semester begins.

Evaluation Criteria

You have the opportunity to earn 2000 points for this class.

Attendance and Zoom Participation: 675 points possible (45 per class x15)

Discussion Forum Participation: 630 points possible (45 per week x14)

Trauma Informed Agency Report: 375 points

Annotated Bibliography: 320 points -ExemplarLinks to an external site.

Zoom Participation:Students are expected to arrive on time and stay for the entire classwith cameras on(there are virtually no exceptions). Understanding that emergencies happen, you may miss one class without issue. If you will miss a class, however, you should let me know asap, and plan to follow up with myself or a classmates for content you may have missed. Any subsequent absences will likely result in a reduction in your grade for that week. If you miss three or more classes, it will be challenging for you to pass the class. See Rubric for additional details.

Forum Participation:A portion of this class is designated as an online class. You must fully participate in the forum discussions as outlined in the rubric to earn full credit in this class.

Trauma Informed Agency Report:This assignment gives you an opportunity to explore the trauma-informed approach of an agency or system of your choosing. Using the below referenced SAMHSA guide and other resources, you will examine the level of understanding, approach, and implementation of the pre-approved agency (education, medical, therapeutic, military, or criminal/juvenile justice, or others). The result will be a 7-10 page report that briefly focuses on the four key assumptions, six key principles, or the ten implementation domains of SAMHSA trauma-informed approach. You will then share your findings with the class.

According to SAMHSA, "There is an increasing focus on the impact of trauma and how service systems may help to resolve or exacerbate trauma-related issues. These systems are beginning to revisit how they conduct their business under the framework of a trauma-informed approach."Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach Prepared by SAMHSA’s Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative.SAMHSA GuideLinks to an external site.Open this document with ReadSpeaker docReader

Annotated Bibliography:Using the VSCS Library, you will create an abbreviatedannotated bibliographyLinks to an external site.of at least 4 journal articles (published after 2016) that relate to a trauma-related question of interest. You will then write a short 2-3 page papersummarizing your learning.This is NOT a research paper - pay close attention to the rubric for details. You will then briefly share your findings with the classon your chosen topic day.Links to an external site.

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

Additional Attendance Information:

Attendance and participation are crucial to your success in this class. Life happens, and therefore you will not be penalized for missing one class. If you will be absent however, you must notify the instructor and turn in any assignments prior to the end of the class to avoid a reduction in your grade for that assignment. Your final grade may be impacted for missing more than one class, and you likely will not pass if you miss three or more classes.

This synchronous course meets each week online through Canvas, as well as on Wednesdays on Zoom. Neither component is optional.

For Discussion Boards:

You will earn 45-35 points weekly if…	You will earn 34-10 points weekly if…	You will earn 9-1 points weekly if…	You will earn 0 points if…
-You complete all posts on time a. Initial - Sunday by 11PM b. 2 follow-ups by Wednesday by 12PM -Your initial post is 150- 300 words, and includes insight and critical thinking around the material. -You have a minimum of 2 follow-up posts to peers, and they draw connections and insight (hint: don't just write, "I agree" or "Great point"). Engage! -Your posts contain appropriate grammar, usage, and mechanics (GUM).	-Your Initial post is 150-100 words, and includes insight and critical thinking around the material. -You have 1 insightful and well written follow-up post to a peer -You demonstrate an awareness of concepts but complete minimal forum interactions. -Your posts are late, and/or contain errors in GUM.	- You have minimal and/or late participation -Concept understanding can’t be judged. -Your interactions contain multiple errors in GUM, and/or lack critical thinking	-You are miissing all engagement.

For Zoom meetings:

You will earn 45-35 points if…	You will earn 34-9 points if…	You will earn 8-1 points if…	0 Points
-You are on time and fully prepared for class -You actively contribute to class/small group discussions -Your camera is turned on for at least 90% of the class, and you remain focused -Zoom presence is appropriate for class (setting/dress/ activities) -You take notes and/or ask questions or make comments to interact with the content	-You are slightly unprepared for class but are attentive and curious -You demonstrate an awareness of concepts and participate when asked -Your camera is turned on 50% - 90%, and you are focused for most of the time -Zoom presence is appropriate for class	-You are not prepared and do not ask relevant questions -Your camera is not on, and you don’t always respond to questions when prompted -Zoom presence may not be appropriate for class	Absent or did not participate

You will complete an exit ticket/”quiz” self-assessment at the conclusion of each class. Your assessment, combined with mine, will give you the weekly grade in this area.

Adapted from: https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/adding-a-live-online-class-to-your-course/

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Assignments are due by the deadline noted on the syllabus, even when you need to be absent.
• Late assignments *may* be accepted up to one week past the deadline, IF you have previously communicated with me. After one week, assignments will no longer be accepted for credit.
• Forum posts will not be accepted past the 2nd due date. Interacting with classmates is an essential part of online discussions and cannot be made up after the fact. ****Please note, there is only room for one deadline in Canvas, however your first post is due by Sunday evening, and your two follow-up posts are due by Wednesday at 12PM.
• You should plan on spending approximately 5-7 hours per week on this class, outside of our Zoom meeting.

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.