Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
This course provides an introduction to abnormal psychology, the study of psychological disorders. Since this subject matter is delicate and complicated, this course will be repeated multiple times in a student's formal education in psychology. Those who pursue a clinical emphasis will greatly appreciate the necessity of giving this subject as much educational attention as possible so that behavioral symptoms can become more easily distinguishable.
1. Abnormal Psychology: Past and Present
2. Research in Abnormal Psychology
3. Models of Abnormality
4. Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
5. Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders
6. Disorders of Trauma and Stress
7. Depressive and Bipolar Disorders and treatments
8. Suicide
9. Disorders Featuring Somatic Symptoms
10. Eating Disorders
11. Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
12. Sexual Disorders and Gender Variations
13. Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
14. Treatments for Schizophrenia and Other Severe Mental Disorders
15. Personality Disorders
16. Disorders Common Among Children and Adolescents
17. Disorders of Aging and Cognition
18. Oral Presentations of Observation Projects and Literature Reviews
19. Final Exam
Assessment Strategy Narrative
1. Demonstrate knowledge of current approaches within the discipline of psychology to classify psychological disorders.
2. Demonstrate understanding of theoretical models in psychology as they may be applied to psychological disorders in order to explain their etiology and treatment.
3. Demonstrate the ability to recognize behavioral symptoms as they relate to diagnosis and treatment of those who may be considered to experience psychological disorder.