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Abnormal Psychology
Psy 4343 Spring 2005
Goals: This course is intended to acquaint you with the scientific study of maladaptive human
behavior. Issues in the conceptualization and classification of abnormal psychopathology will
be covered, as well as major theories of etiology and treatment. Students are expected to be
able to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments for mood disorders, anxiety
disorders, stress disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, sexual disorders,
dissociative disorders, substance abuse disorders, and childhood disorders. Students are
expected to demonstrate a basic understanding of these topics and to demonstrate their
mastery of the information on the objective tests described below.
Organization and Grading: We will meet once a week for lectures, discussions, and
videotape presentations. The reading assignments for each meeting are indicated below.
There will be three exams and no comprehensive final. All exams will be composed of
multiple choice or short-answer questions.
Everyone must take exams at the scheduled times. Make-up exams will be given only in the
event of serious illness or other emergency situations (e.g., death of a family member, car
wreck). In case such an emergency situation arises, you must contact me prior to the time of
the exam or as soon as possible and request permission to take a make-up exam. It will be left
to my discretion as to whether make-up exams will be allowed. Make-up exams may be
composed of essay questions in addition to multiple-choice questions. You must make up the
exam within one week of the originally scheduled test.
Tests: You will need the Pearson Exam System II Scantron form. The Form number is
229630. You will not be allowed to take the test without this scantron sheet.
Text: Nevid, J.S., Rathus, S.A., Greene, B., Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World, Fifth
Edition, 2003.
Class Attendance: I will not take attendance regularly. However, if you miss a class, it is your
responsibility to contact a peer for the notes. I will not make my lecture notes available to
individuals who miss class. Please find a buddy in the class whom you can contact if you have a
question about a missed class.
Class Feedback: It is my hope that this course will be a stimulating and relevant part of your
continuing education. Your comments and suggestions regarding the class are welcome. Office
hours by appointment can be used to talk to me about course material and I am also happy to
use that time to discuss individual student’s interest in psychology.
READING ASSIGNMENTS: