Kankakee Community College                                                                                 Updated: Spring 2009

Course Prefix & Number: Psyc 2513                                                                      Course Title: Abnormal Psychology

Credit Hours: 3                                          Lecture Hours: 3                                   Clinical/Lab Hours: 0

Catalog Description:

This course will cover the major topics of Abnormal Behavior: diagnosis, assessment, theories of abnormal behavior, classification (types) of abnormal behavior, methods of treatment and prevention.

Prerequisite: Psyc 1813  

Type of Course:

This is a face to face course using technology. KCC defines this as a course in which all of the instruction is scheduled to be delivered face to face but the instructor uses web-based technology i.e. Angel as a document repository, a resource for learners, and or a delivery mode for a limited number of course learning and or assessment activities. The instructor will make any document, resources, or learning and or assessment activities delivered online, available offline to any learners who request it.

Faculty: Professor Deborah S. Podwika, M.A., C.S.M.           Webpage: http://www.kcc.edu/faculty/faculty_pages/dpodwika/index.asp

Office Location: L318                 Phone:   802.8712            Email: dpodwika@kcc.edu            Division: 802.8700 RM L355

Office Hours:  

Jan 12th - Mar 6th:
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
12-12:50 Social
1-1:50 Intro
2-3:15 Abnormal
3:20-4:20 Office 		12-12:30 Office
12:30-1:45 Intro
1:50-3:50 Office
12-12:50 Social
1-1:50 Intro
2-3:15 Abnormal
3:20-4:20 Office 		12-12:30 Office
12:30-1:45 Intro
1:50-3:50 Office 		12-12:50 Social
1-1:50 Intro
1:55-2:25 Office
Mar 16th - May 8th:
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
12-12:50 Social
1-1:50 Intro
2-3:15 Abnormal
3:20-4:50 Office 		12-12:30 Office
12:30-1:45 Intro
2-4:40 Intro
4:45-6:15 Office
12-12:50 Social
1-1:50 Intro
2-3:15 Abnormal
3:20-4:50 Office 		12-12:30 Office
12:30-1:45 Intro
2-4:40 Intro
4:45-6:15 Office 		12-12:50 Social
1-1:50 Intro
1:55-2:25 Office

Textbook: Abnormal Psychology by Dr. Ronald Comer (http://weblamp.princeton.edu/~psych/psychology/research/comer/index.php) 6th edition with Supplements ISBN: 978-0-7167-6906-4

Relationship to Academic Programs and Transferability:

Psyc 2513 was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program and is designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. KCC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IA), a statewide transfer agreement for general education courses. All colleges and universities participating in IAI agree to accept a collective "package" of IAI general education courses; transfter of courses separately is not guaranteed. For more information about IAI, go to their website at www.itransfer.org and IAI. For the transferability of courses to specific four-year institutions, go to www.itransfer.org and choose U.SelectIllinois (formerly CAS--Course Applicability System).

Course Goals and Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, you will have:

An ability to use technology in a variety of methods (email, Angel, Webpages, etc)
An ability to apply psychological concepts to the real world.
An understanding & ability to critically evaluate research methods.
An understanding of the history of abnormal behavior.
An understanding of diagnosis and assessment.
An understanding of the major perspectives.
An application of the major disorders.
An understanding of the legal and ethical issues.

General Education Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, you will have:

Communication: Demonstrate the ability to read with comprehension; to listen, speak, and write critically, clearly, and effectively; to interact respectively with others.

Computational Skills: Demonstrate the ability to interpret and communicate quantitative data, solve routine and non-routine problems, and recognize valid logic.

Critical Thinking: Demonstrate the ability to to think critically by separating fact from opinion, drawing logical inferences, and arriving at informed judgments.

Access Information: Demonstrate the ability to locate, evaluate, and synthesize material in an appropriate and responsible manner.

Cultural Awareness/Diversity: Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the varied perspectives that emerge locally, nationally, or internationally, with respect to cultures, ethics, gender, races, classes, and experiences.

Scientific Literacy: Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between empirical and non-empirical evidence, demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method, and make informed judgments regarding the credibility of scientific claims.

Technology: Demonstrate competency in the basic use of computers by using computer technology in solving problems, communicating, and acquiring information.

Evaluation:

Module Outcomes:

Module outcomes are available to students and indicate the knowledge which will be evaluated and in what method it will be evaluated. Assessment of these Outcomes are performed through a VARIETY of methods. SOME Outcomes may be clarified by your instructor through class discussion & other methods. Others will be SOLELY THE STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY through a variety of methods. Of course should you have difficulty with ANY particular outcomes you may seek help from many sources (additional readings, films, other students, your professor, etc.)

Exam/Activities:

The ANGEL system will be used in this class to complete exams, some activities and to keep track of grades for students. KCC provides more than 700 computers in more than 35 computer labs on campus for those who do not have one with internet access at home. Exams and some activities will be completed outside of class through ANGEL. If you have any concerns about this please come see me to discuss other alternatives BY THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES! Exams & Take-Home Activities dates are on your specific section class calendar!

Final Grades:

Your grade is determined on the percentage of total points earned throughout the term.

Points Percentage Activity
500 50% final grade Exams (5@100 pts each)
500 50% final grade Activities (In-Class & Take-Home)
1000   Total Points
1. In-Class Activities are NOT Pre-Announced & can NOT be made up. Use Extra Credit Opportunities.
2. 1 Make-Up Exam permitted. This is NOT a redo! Specific directions will be provided on how to make-up an exam later.
3. Take-Home Activities due at the START of class. If more than 5 minutes late through next class period it will be 1/2 off the total pts deducted. NO points are granted after this.

Percentage/Grade:

900 points (90%)= A

This grade level required a student to demonstrate achievement which is of OUTSTANDING quality relative to the level necessary to meet course required outcomes.  

800 points (80%)=B

This grade level required a student to demonstrate achievement which is of HIGH quality relative to the level necessary to meet course required outcomes.

700 points (70%)=C

This grade level required a student to demonstrate achievement which is of SATISFACTORY quality relative to the level necessary to meet course required outcomes.

600 points (60%)=D

This grade level required a student to demonstrate achievement which is of BELOW SATISFACTORY quality relative to the level necessary to meet course required outcomes.

Below 600 points (below 60%)=F

This grade level requires a student to FAIL to demonstrate achievement of the minimum course required outcomes due to either failure 1) work not completed; or 2) work at a level of achievement not worthy of credit.

Extra Credit:

You can earn up to 100 pts (10%) which is equal to an exam. Extra Credit opportunities and submissions requirements will be provided throughout the course. Due Date is on your specific section class calendar!

Course Policies:

Attendance:

According to the 2008-09 KCC Student Catalog, students are expected to attend classes regularly. Permission to make up work missed due to an absence is up to the individual instructor's discretion. The instructor has the right to record the grade of "F" for the course or reduce a student's grade if a student has excessive absences AS DEFINED IN THE INSTRUCTOR'S SYLLABUS! Students missing 2 weeks worth of classes MUST come see me BEFORE returning to class to discuss your class grade & progress. Students missing 3 weeks worth of classes should WITHDRAW from the course to avoid failing. Students should keep track of their attendance. I will NOT keep telling you how many days you missed!

Instructional Philosophy:

Education = the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life (Dictionary.com)

Education is NOT repeating a definition from the text! I do NOT know any employer who will expect this of you! Therefore, I do NOT evaluate student's ability to memorize definitions from their text. Psychology is about life and thus it is extremely important for student to be able to critically think & apply the knowledge of this course to life. It is important for students to understand concepts and be able to recognize or provide examples of these concepts in life. This ability will allow you to mature by allowing you to reason better & thus make much better judgments. As the saying goes," If I knew then, what I know now, I would have done better." I want you to do better with each page you read in your text, with each class period you attend, with each activity you complete!

I will evaluate your ability to critically think (handout provided) about the course concepts. In addition, every course should help students improve their general skills - writing, technology, oral presentation etc. This course will provide these opportunities. I will reduce a grade by 10% for excessive spelling/grammar errors - more than 5 errors in an assignment - so please do make use of the writing labs suggested even after you have spell/grammar checked!

Approximate Calendar:

* Wellness/ Stress Ch 6 covered throughout the term!
Week Topic Week Topic
1 Orientation/Abnormal Ch 1 Intelligence Mod 25 (Intro) 9 Law Ch 19
2 Abnormal/Research Ch 1 & 2 10 Suicide Ch 10/Student Presentation
3 History Ch 1 11 Student Presentations
4 History Ch 1 12 Student Presentations
5 Models Ch 3 13 Student Presentations
6 Models Ch 3 14 Student Presentations
7 Assessment/Diagnosis/Treatment Ch 4 15 Student Presentations
8 Assessment/Diagnosis/Treatment Ch 4 16 Prof Podwika?
  Students Choose Disorders for Presentations 17 Finals Week


College Policies:


Withdrawals:


When it is necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date stated on the syllabus without receiving a punitive final grade. Change of Schedule forms (used to add or drop a course) are available in Student Services and the student should obtain the required signatures prior to submitting the Change of Schedule form to an adviser in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms through the mail, but they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date. No withdrawals are allowed by phone. The last date to withdraw with a grade of "W" is FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH.

Code of Conduct:

Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog. With the exception of dangerous behavior or cheating/plagiarism/copyright violation, I will warn you ONCE, a second violation will result in withdrawal of the course.

Dangerous behavior will result in an immediate withdrawal of the course.

If a student has been found of cheating/plagiarism/copyright violation they will receive a grade of ZERO the first time. A second offense will result in a grade of F for the course.

College Resources:


Academic Skills Center:

Tutorial Assistance: The center offers free tutorial services on a walk-in basis to support students enrolled at KCC in a wide range of college courses and individual skill development activities. The Learning Assistance Center, L355/339, is the location of most tutorial services.

Learning Laboratory: The Learning Lab, located in Room L329, uses instructional technology to provide individualized learning for students enrolled at KCC. In the lab, students can review and practice math, writing, reading, basic sciences, study skills, word processing, and other basic skills.

Office of Disability Service: KCC offers advisement and special instructional support for students who are physically and learning disabled, as well as those with academic deficiencies. Students will receive appropriate academic instructional support, including preparatory courses, tutorial assistance, study skills assistance, and self-instructional programs. For the office of disability services, go to room L326.

Learning Resource Center:

The LRC provides a variety of services free to students (print, audio, video, cd-rom & microfilm collections, computers etc.)

The LRC is available to you the following times:

Monday-Thursday: 7:45am - 9pm (Fall/Spring)   7:45am-8pm (Summer)

Friday: 7:45am-5pm   Saturday: 8:30am-11:30am

Copyright:

The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this courses. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at http://www.kcc.edu/copyright

Syllabus Disclaimers:

1. Course syllabus/calendar/office hours are subject to change due to instructor absence, meetings, college closings, class progress, etc.
2. By staying registered in this course the student agrees to abide by the syllabus conditions though they may not agree with the policy.