Adult Psychopathology

Course Description

A description of the various psychological disorders is presented along with the research methods used to study them. Each disorder is approached from a number of perspectives: biological, psychosocial (psychodynamic, interpersonal, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic) and sociocultural. Prerequisite: Grade of at least a C- in PSY 121.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Identify the empirical and historic influences that have shaped our conceptualization and diagnostic assessment process of mental illness
  • Identify the diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, and identify which mental disorder best characterizes a set of symptoms provided; describe classification systems & their drawbacks
  • Describe characteristics of mental disorders including prevalence, demographics features, empirically-supported treatments, and features of major explanatory models

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
3 non-cumulative Unit Exams (250 points each) 750 points
Best 12 of 14 Weekly Quizzes (10 points each) 120 points
Best 13 of 14 Lecture Recording Discussion Response (10 pt each) 130 points
OPTIONAL Cumulative Final Exam 250 points
Best three of four exams + Quizzes + Discussions Out of1,000 points

Grade | Point/Percentage Total

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
93 to 100%A
90 to 92.9%A-
87 to 89.9%B+
83 to 86.9%B
80 to 92.9%B-
77 to 79.9%C+
73 to 76.9%C
70 to 72.9%C-
67 to 69.9%D+
60 to 66.9%D
Below 60%F

Attendance/Participation:

Because this is an online course, your course attendance is accounted for via your submitted assignments described above.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Hooley & Nock. (2024). Psychopathology: A Clinical Science Approach (19th Ed.), Boston: Pearson. E-Book format. (Pearson REVEL).

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.