Course Title:               Psychology 234: Abnormal Psychology   Prerequisite:               Psychology 101 and Psychology 202   Credits:                      4 Credit Hours   Instructor:                   Dr. Norwil (Noy) Frial, NCC, LCPC, CADC   Course Day & Time:    Monday Evenings at 6:30pm – 9:45pm at Argyle Campus   COURSE DESCRIPTION:   This course considers the major diagnostic, etiologic, prevention, and treatment issues for a variety of categories of abnormal behavior and psychological disorders. Students will be provided with basic information and knowledge on how mental professionals define (diagnose & assess), explain (etiology), and treat mental disorders from children to the elderly. Biological, psychosocial, and sociocultural origins of abnormal behavior will be examined and the role of research methods will be emphasized.   OBJECTIVES:   At the end of the semester, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following abilities in relation to the course material:   ANALYSIS:   Identify the primary biological, psychological and social-cultural factors that affect abnormal behavior.   Demonstrate familiarity with the DSM-IV criteria in at least two of the following disorders: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse, problems of childhood and adolescence.   Identify and describe the following psychotherapeutic approaches: cognitive, psycho dynamic, behavioral, biological, humanistic therapies.   COMMUNICATION:   Communicate the basic research methodology in relation to abnormal behavior.   Communicate the impact and relationship of culture on abnormal behavior.   VALUING:   Recognize ethical principles involved in diagnosis and treatment.   Demonstrate an awareness of the political, social-cultural and personal factors that can affect diagnosis and treatment.   Gain an appreciation of the complexities and consequences of labeling human behaviors and experiences as abnormal.   TEXTBOOK:    Richard P. Halgin and Susan Krauss Whitbourne.   Abnormal Psychology.   4th  Edition.   McGraw Hill 2003.    Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria of the DSM-IV-TR (2001), American Psychiatric Association, Washington D.C.   ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:   St. Augustine strives to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity. Any work submitted by a student must represent original work produced by that student. Using somebody else’s work without citing them as the author is an unacceptable practice and referred to as “Plagiarism.” Plagiarism, for this course, is defined as using more than five words in a row from a source and not referencing that source. This includes copying papers from the internet, using somebody else’s papers, or using text from articles without clearly identifying where the information came from. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden in higher education and any student found to have plagiarized will receive an automatic “0” for that assignments. Two incidents of plagiarizing will result in failing the course.    ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:   Weekly attendance.   Read the textbook and materials indicated and be prepared to actively participate in class discussiones.  Lecture, videos and groups activities will be incorporated.   Class Project: Poster Presentation   GRADING SYSTEM                          EVALUATION SYSTEM   A          90 - 100                                   25% Midterm Exam   B          80 -  89                                    25% Final Exam   C         70 -  79                                    15% Written Assignments   D         60 -  69                                    25% Project   F          0 -  59                                     10% Quizzes    CLASS SCHEDULE:   Week 1:           Understanding Abnormality: A Look at History and Research Methods                        How culture is related to mental health   Week 2:           Classification, Treatment Plans, Ethics, and Legal Issues   Week 3:           Assessment   Week 4:           Theoretical Perspectives   Week 5:           Anxiety Disorders   Week 6:           Somatoform Disorders, Psychological Factors Affecting Medical Conditions   Week 7:           Sexual Disorders   Week 8:           MIDTERM EXAMINATION   Week 9:           Mood Disorders   Week 10:         Schizophrenia and Related Disorders   Week 11:         Personality Disorders   Week 12:         Development-Related Disorders   Week 13:         Aging-Related and Cognitive Disorders   Week 14:         Substance-Related Disorders   Week 15:         Eating Disorders and Impulse-Control Disorders, Ethical & Legal Issues.   Week 16:         FINAL EXAM