Psychology 2030B-650 (online)
The Maladjusted Mind
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
This course will survey various categories of maladjusted behaviour and consider different explanatory models and treatment strategies for the control of such behaviour. Theories of human adjustment and maladjustment will be reviewed.
Antirequisites: Psychology 2050, 2310A/B and 3310F/G
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.
0.5 course
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Ian R. Nicholson
Office and Phone Number: University Hospital C3-160V
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: inichols@uwo.ca
Teaching Assistant: Samantha Schulz
Office: Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, 5th floor
Office Hours: By appointment
Email: sschulz@uwo.ca
Time and Location of Classes: online course
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western
http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.
Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
Title: Abnormal Psychology (Canadian Edition)
Authors: Beidel, D.C., Bulik, C.M., Stanley M.A., & Taylor, S.
Year: 2018
ISBN: 978-0-13-273534-6
Every year I am asked by students such questions as "I have a copy of a book by the same name but with different authors, is that good enough?" or "I have a copy of the American version of the text, is that good enough?".
To be honest, I don't know if it is "good enough". I am not familiar with these texts. I can tell you that the course (and the exams) are based in the material in this edition of this text. I don't know if these other versions will prepare you for the exams. My guess is that some of the material is the same and some is unique. I can't tell what part of the exam, however, is unique to this specific version of this text compared to some other text or version.
Sorry I can't be more help with these questions. I know texts are expensive so please be careful when buying a used book.
Relying on the wrong textbook is not considered grounds for accommodation for a test or examination
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the course is to provide students with an overview of the major forms of psychopathology and their treatment. The course will begin with addressing some of the fundamental aspects of the foundations of any study of abnormal psychology including understanding the profession of psychology, ethics, psychological assessment, and diagnosis. It will then move into discussions of several different types of psychological disorders, including several that are related to physical functioning. We then conclude with a discussion of psychopathology across the lifespan. All issues will be presented from both a theoretical and a practical perspective.4.1 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
LEARINING OUTCOMES |
ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT LEARNING OUTCOMES |
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES |
|
Recognize the main symptoms of the range of psychological disorders |
Class Discussions Readings |
Class Participation Multiple-Choice Exams |
|
Apply DSM-5 criteria to provide the most plausible diagnosis for a set of psychological symptoms |
Readings |
Multiple-Choice Exams |
|
Differentiate between emotional/behavioural states that are diagnosable versus not diagnosable |
Class Discussions Readings
|
Class Participation Multiple-Choice Exams |
|
Contrast current scientific theories (e.g., biological, psychological) on the etiology and treatment of psychological disorders |
Readings |
Multiple-Choice Exams |
|
Identify various components of assessment (e.g., interviewing, administrating various tests, neuroimaging, and physical and behavioural examinations) |
Readings |
Multiple-Choice Exams |
|
Describe and analyse the relation of psychological disorder diagnoses and treatments with social and political factors |
Class Discussions |
Class Participation |
5.0 EVALUATION
On-Line Class Participation (15% of final grade)
Starting each Monday morning, a new on-line Discussion Forum will be started for a new topic. Each Discussion Forum will last one week. To aid in these Discussions, questions will be posted on-line during the next week. Readings from the text will be used as the basis for these Discussions.
At the beginning of each Discussion Forum, additional relevant web site addresses will be given to students to review and include in the Discussion Topics as they see them as relevant.
For this course to work, students must "come to class". Students lose most of their grades in this requirement by not participating regularly. The class works best if it is thought of as a seminar/discussion group where students comment on the issues discussed, using material from the text and the web. If only one or two students come to class regularly, then the class does not work for anyone. In order to ensure that the discussions remain current, weekly Forums will be closed after they have been open for one week.
**IMPORTANT** Class Participation Requirements: It is expected that students will actively participate in these on-line discussions. A minimum of participation by posting comments are expected on three (3) separate days that add into the Forum Topics discussions for each topic are expected from each student each and every week of a weekly Discussion Forum.
For more information on the Class Participation, students should read the “FAQ on Class Discussion Forums” at the end of the syllabus.
***Please note that it is your responsibility to make sure that your discussion contributions are posted properly and on time. Having written something that didn't get posted, for whatever reason, is not grounds for appealing a grade of zero for that discussion. ***
Please Note: The on-line Discussions will be open from 12:01am on 6 January 2020 until FRIDAY 6:00pm on 14 February 2020 and then from 12:01am on 24 February 2020 until FRIDAY 11:59pm on 3 April 2020. All times are in London, Ontario. If you are taking the class in another time zone, you will need to make local adjustments to these times
First Mid-Term Exam (30% of final grade) – 8 February 2020
Content of Exam: The mid-term exam will consist of a maximum of one hundred twenty five (125) multiple choice questions. They will reflect the material from chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 15. There will be approximately an equal number of questions from the each of these five (5) textbook chapters. The exam will be two (2) hours long.
Where to write the midterm test: When registering for Distance Studies courses, students MUST select an Examination Centre. Once you have selected the Centre, you must write the final examinations and/or midterm tests at that location. Most students come to The University of Western Ontario to write with their classmates. Students living or working outside of London may register to write at one of the designated Examination Centres (Barrie, Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary). Students who wish to change the location of their Distance Studies midterm test must inform the Distance Studies department at least 3 weeks prior to the midterm test date. Students may contact Distance Studies before the deadline via e-mail at distexam@uwo.ca. Please include your name, course number, section and new location request (out of the ones listed above). No requests for changes will be accepted after the 3-week deadline has passed.
Unable to write a midterm test: Students who are unable to write a scheduled midterm test must inform their instructor and provide proper documentation to their academic counsellor. If approval is made for a make up midterm test and your Examination Centre is in London, your instructor will arrange the time and location of your rewrite. If you are writing at an off-campus Examination Centre, you must contact Distance Studies office if your make up midterm test is approved to arrange your rewrite. Students will be required to pay an off-campus make-up exam fee.
Students requiring academic accommodation: Academic accommodation consists of arrangements that allow a student with a disability a fair opportunity to engage in academic activities and fulfill essential course and program requirements. Accommodation does not remove essential requirements of a course or program. It does not fundamentally alter content of exams, standards for assigning grades, or requirements that students independently demonstrate their knowledge of course material. An accommodation is a response to unique challenges that a student faces given his or her disability and particular program requirements. Because of the individualized nature of accommodation, students and prospective students are encouraged to meet with an SAS counsellor to obtain information about specific accommodations and services that may be available to them. Students who require exam accommodations should follow the instructions for obtaining such accommodations that are at: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/ssd/
Grading of the Midterm Test: While the majority of students will be writing their midterm tests on campus, many will be writing at one of the six designated Examination Centres outside of London. Only when ALL the midterm tests have been received from these Centres will the midterm tests be graded and grades posted. This normally takes up to two (2) weeks for mailing and processing all midterm tests.
NO electronic devices, including cell phones, will be allowed during midterm tests.
Identification required for examinations: No student will be allowed to write a midterm test or an examination without either a Western ONECard student ID or another piece of government-issued photo identification.
For more information on the Midterm Tests, Exams, and Practice Quizzes, students should read the “FAQ on Midterm Tests, Exams, and Practice Quizzes” at the end of the syllabus.
Second Mid-Term Exam (30% of final grade) – 14 March 2020
Content of the Exam: The midterm test will consist of a maximum of one hundred twenty-five (125) multiple choice questions. They will reflect the material from chapters 5, 6, 7, 10, and 14. There will be approximately an equal number of questions from the each of these five (5) textbook chapters. The exam will be two (2) hours long. Students are NOT responsible on this midterm test for material from earlier in the course (i.e., material covered in the earlier midterm test).
Where to write the exam: When registering for Distance Studies courses, students MUST select an Examination Centre. Once you have selected the Centre, you must write the midterm tests at that location. Most students come to The University of Western Ontario to write with their classmates. Students living or working outside of London may register to write at one of the designated Examination Centres (Barrie, Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary). Students who wish to change the location of their Distance Studies midterm test must inform the Distance Studies department at least 3 weeks prior to the midterm test date. Students may contact Distance Studies before the deadline via e-mail at distexam@uwo.ca. Please include your name, course number, section and new location request (out of the ones listed above). No requests for changes will be accepted after the 3-week deadline has passed.
Unable to write a midterm test: Students who are unable to write a scheduled midterm test must inform their instructor and provide proper documentation to their academic counsellor. If approval is made for a make up midterm test and your Examination Centre is in London, your instructor will arrange the time and location of your rewrite. If you are writing at an off-campus Examination Centre, you must contact Distance Studies office if your make up midterm test is approved to arrange your rewrite. Students will be required to pay an off-campus make-up exam fee.
Students requiring academic accommodation: Academic accommodation consists of arrangements that allow a student with a disability a fair opportunity to engage in academic activities and fulfill essential course and program requirements. Accommodation does not remove essential requirements of a course or program. It does not fundamentally alter content of exams, standards for assigning grades, or requirements that students independently demonstrate their knowledge of course material. An accommodation is a response to unique challenges that a student faces given his or her disability and particular program requirements. Because of the individualized nature of accommodation, students and prospective students are encouraged to meet with an SAS counsellor to obtain information about specific accommodations and services that may be available to them. Students who require exam accommodations should follow the instructions for obtaining such accommodations that are at: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/ssd/
Grading of the Exam: While the majority of students will be writing their exams on campus, many will be writing at one of the six designated Examination Centres outside of London. Only when ALL the exams have been received from these centres will the exams be graded and grades posted. This normally takes up to two (2) weeks for mailing and processing all exams.
NO electronic devices, including cell phones, will be allowed during exams.
Identification required for examinations: No student will be allowed to write an examination without either a Western ONECard student ID or another piece of government-issued photo identification.
Final Exam (25% of final grade) - date to be determined by Registrar (April 6-26)
Content of Exam: The final exam will consist of a maximum of one hundred (100) multiple choice questions. They will reflect the material from chapters 9, 11, 12, and 13. There will be approximately an equal number of questions from the each of these four (4) textbook chapters. Students are NOT responsible on this exam for material from earlier in the course (i.e., material covered in the two earlier midterm tests). The exam will be two (2) hours long.
Where to write the exam: When registering for Distance Studies courses, students MUST select an Examination Centre. Once you have selected the Centre, you must write the final examinations and/or midterm tests at that location. Most students come to The University of Western Ontario to write with their classmates. Students living or working outside of London may register to write at one of the designated Examination Centres (Barrie, Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary). Students who wish to change the location of their Distance Studies exam(s) must inform the Distance Studies department at least 3 weeks prior to the exam date(s). Students may contact Distance Studies before the deadline via e-mail at distexam@uwo.ca. Please include your name, course number, section and new location request (out of the ones listed above). No requests for changes will be accepted after the 3-week deadline has passed.
Exam conflicts: If you have a conflict, please contact your Academic Counsellor at your Home Faculty so arrangements can be made for you to write your examination. For Barrie, Ottawa, Sudbury, Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver students, please contact the examination office by email at distexam@uwo.ca.
Unable to write or missed a final exam: If you cannot write an examination in the regular period, you may request from the Dean’s Office of your Academic Faculty the privilege of writing a special examination. This privilege is based on compassionate, medical, or religious grounds with the appropriate supporting documents. IF approval is made for a make up Examination and your Examination Centre is in London, your instructor will arrange the time and location of your rewrite. If you are writing at an off-campus Examination Centre, you must contact Distance Studies office if your examination is approved to arrange your rewrite. Students will be required to pay an off-campus make-up exam fee.
Students requiring academic accommodation: Academic accommodation consists of arrangements that allow a student with a disability a fair opportunity to engage in academic activities and fulfill essential course and program requirements. Accommodation does not remove essential requirements of a course or program. It does not fundamentally alter content of exams, standards for assigning grades, or requirements that students independently demonstrate their knowledge of course material. An accommodation is a response to unique challenges that a student faces given his or her disability and particular program requirements. Because of the individualized nature of accommodation, students and prospective students are encouraged to meet with an SAS counsellor to obtain information about specific accommodations and services that may be available to them. Students who require exam accommodations should follow the instructions for obtaining such accommodations that are at: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/ssd/
Grading of the Exam: While the majority of students will be writing their exams on campus, many will be writing them at one of the six designated Examination Centres outside of London. Only when ALL the exams have been received from these centres will the exams be graded and grades posted. This normally takes up to two (2) weeks for mailing and processing all exams.
NO electronic devices, including cell phones, will be allowed during exams.
Identification required for examinations: No student will be allowed to write an examination without either a Western ONECard student ID or another piece of government-issued photo identification.
Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:
70% 1000-level and 2000-level courses
72% 2190-2990 level courses
75% 3000-level courses
80% 4000-level courses
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):
A+ 90-100 One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A 80-89 Superior work that is clearly above average
B 70-79 Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C 60-69 Competent work, meeting requirements
D 50-59 Fair work, minimally acceptable
F below 50 Fail
6.0 ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE
On-Line Class Participation: 15% of final grade
First Mid-Term Exam (8 February 2020): 30% of final grade
Second Mid-Term Exam (14 March 2020): 30% of final grade
Final Exam (date to be determined April 6-26): 25% of final grade
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
Topic 1 – What is a Psychologist
6 January 2020 – 12 January 2020
Chapter 1 - "Abnormal Psychology: Historical and Modern Perspectives"
Chapter 15 - " Abnormal Psychology: Legal and Ethical Issues"
Topic 2 – Research in Psychopathology
13 January 2020 – 19 January 2020
Chapter 2 - "Research Methods in Abnormal Psychology"
Topic 3 – Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
20 January 2020 – 26 January 2020
Chapter 3 - "Assessment and Diagnosis"
Topic 4 – Anxiety Disorders
27 January 2020 – 2 February 2020
Chapter 4 – “Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders”
Topic 5 - Affective Disorders
3 February 2020 – 9 February 2020
Chapter 6 - "Bipolar and Depressive Disorders"
Topic 6 – Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders
10 February 2020 – FRIDAY 14 February 2020
Chapter 5 – “Somatic Symptom, Dissociative, and Factitious Disorders” (pages 183-194 ONLY)
Chapter 10 – “Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders”
Spring Reading Week:
17 February 2020 – 23 February 2020
Topic 7 – Physical Health
24 February 2020 – 1 March 2020
Chapter 5 – “Somatic Symptom, Dissociative, and Factitious Disorders” (pages 167-183 ONLY)
Chapter 14 – “Health Psychology”
Topic 8 – Disrupted Daily Living
2 March 2020 – 8 March 2020
Chapter 7 – “Feeding and Eating Disorders”
Topic 9 – Disorders of Control
9 March 2020 – 15 March 2020
Chapter 9 – “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders”
Topic 10 – Personality Disorders
16 March 2020 – 22 March 2020
Chapter 11 – “Personality Disorders”
Topic 11 – Disorders and the Age Spectrum – Childhood
23 March 2020 – 29 March 2020
Chapter 12 – “Neurodevelopmental, Disruptive, Conduct, and Elimination Disorders”
Topic 12 – Disorders and the Age Spectrum – Old Age
30 March 2020 – 3 April 2020
Chapter 13 – “Aging and Neurocognitive Disorders”8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are described at the following link: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf
As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com http://www.turnitin.com
Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS
Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12
The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation:
http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:
- Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
- For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;
For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.
Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html
Students seeking academic consideration:
- are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;
- are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;
must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence
10.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar web site: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca
Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:
http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html
- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2019-2020 Calendar References
No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams.
Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute lecture notes, wiki material, and other course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.
- FAQ ON CLASS DISCUSSION FORUMS
Every year, students have emailed me questions about the Class Participation. To assist students, I have tried to collate many of the common questions here in a Frequently Asked Questions section.
Q: Can I make up previous Discussion Forums?
A: Participation grades are based on when you are able to start the course. Trying to "make up" on past discussions (including emailing me your posting after the deadline) would be similar to coming to a seminar on Week 3 of a course and wanting to talk about the topics from Week 1. It would do nothing to assist your grades if you were to do this.
Q: Where do I find the readings for the week?
A: The readings are listed for the week on the "Syllabus" section of the course.
Q: How should I conceptualize these discussions?
A: The weekly Discussion Forum should not be thought of as a "paper". They are not individually graded.
It should be thought of as participating in a discussion. It is best to think of it as similar to a seminar. You don't do a paper or two a week for a seminar course. However, when the professor throws out a question for discussion at the seminar, students respond to the question or to one another's responses. Then, to further the discussion, the professor will throw out another follow-up question that expands upon or slightly changes the earlier question and responses. Sometimes, when a discussion topic runs down, the professor then throws out a different question to touch on another aspect of the general topic. In a seminar, the students should be listening to what the other students say and responding to both the question and one another. Also, as the course continues, the students get more comfortable in the discussions and they become more complex, more in-depth, and more self-sustaining as the students in the seminar learn to work with one another.
That is basically the model here with the exceptions being that where you type, rather than speak, your responses/contributions and you can come to the discussions whenever you want rather than in the week.
Q: Do I have to stick to your Topic or can I add another that is relevant to the week. Sometimes I have nothing to add as I agree with everything said so far and I don’t want to only write “I agree”.
A: You are allowed to write about anything that is assigned for the week. It would be okay to talk about something else in the readings for that week or something from one of the web sites suggested by the textbook.
Q: Do I have to respond to ALL of your questions and comments?
A: No, you only need to make comments that add to the Discussion Forum on at least three (3) separate days during a week. (For example, one comment on a Tuesday, one comment on a Thursday, and one comment on a Saturday).
I will make a number of comments and start a variety of Topics in the week (I try to start four a week) to ensure that discussions keep going. I would NOT expect anyone to comment on them all.
Q: Can I post comments two or three times in one day?
A: You are allowed to post as often in one day as you would like.
However, your On-Line Class Participation grade is based on posting on three (3) days during the week of a Discussion Forum. If you only post on one day that week, irrespective on how many or how long the comments you post that day, you will only receive a third-credit for participation that week.
Q: Do I have to comment on three different questions or can I comment on three Conversations in one Topic. Can I comment three times in one Conversation in one Topic. Can I start with my own Conversation? Do I have to start my own Conversation or can I just comment in another Conversation?
A: Each week is its own Forum, such as Week 1 which is "What is a Psychologist". Within that, there are various Topics that I will start such as "Comparing Two Sites about Ontario Psychology". Within the Topic, students may start a variety of Conversations.
The placement of your comments does not matter. They can be in the same or different Topics. They can be the same or different Conversations. You can start your own Conversation or comment on another Conversation. It does not matter.
What matters is the you make comments in these discussions at least three (3) days per week.
Q: Can I add to a previous week's Discussion Forum?
A: Previous weeks' Discussion Forums will be closed at the end of the week. I would suggest that you try to keep up with current discussions and not focus on previous weeks.
Q: I did not register for the course until the second week and the first week’s Discussion Forums are closed. How do I respond or do I lose grades for being late to start the class.
A: While I would encourage you to read the review the material in the first week’s Discussion Forums, the Forum cannot be re-opened for just one person and I don’t accept postings by email. Your grade will be prorated according to the date you first logged into the course. You will not be penalized for starting the course late.
Q: I thought I posted my response but it did not show on the course web site. Can I just email it to you?
A: Unfortunately, the only postings that "count" are those on the course website. I cannot accept emails with postings that you meant to post on the course Discussion Forums. If you are having problems posting on the Forums (or using any part of OWL), please contact the WTS Helpdesk.
Every year, I will have one or two students who will swear that they thought they commented more than they did and don’t know why their posts are not there. Unfortunately, I can only give credit for posts that are on the course website. It is your responsibility to ensure that the posts are there. If you can see them after you have posted them, then I can see them (they are not hidden from either your view or my view).
Q: How are each of my individual Discussion postings graded?
A: Each discussion is not individually graded. The grading for the discussions will be when the discussions for the course are complete - so, it will be one grade at the end of the discussion. Each specific one is graded as pass/fail if they meet minimum standards.
You do not need to check with me to see if the content of your individual Discussion postings are sufficient. Please be assured I will let you know if your posting does not meet standards. I have read almost 50,000 discussion posts since starting to teach this course in the 1990s and can only remember 4 times when I had to contact a student about a specific post. So, don't expect to hear anything back on the quality of the content of your postings unless there is a problem with them.
There is no need to contact me to check on the content of a post if I have not contacted you about it.
Bottom line: If you don't hear anything, there is no problem with the content of a posting.
Q: How is the Class Participation graded?
A: It is based on making comments to add into the Discussions (for example, a simple "I agree" would be insufficient - would you see it as "participating" in an in-person seminar class?). They are graded on having participated - they are not individually graded for content and style. I will contact you backchannel (via email) if I have any concerns that any specific comment is not sufficient for course purposes (see previous Q/A).
I do not calculate the grades until the end of term. However, you can calculate your own discussion grades.
If you have commented on three or more separate days in a weekly Discussion Forum, you get full credit for the week.
If you have commented on two separate days in a weekly Discussion Forum, you get two-thirds credit for the week.
If you have commented on one day in a weekly Discussion Forum, you get one third credit for the week.
If you have not commented on a weekly Discussion Forum, you get no credit.
Maximum number of credit would be 12 credits for 12 weeks of Discussion Forums. Since it is worth 15%, each week’s Discussion Forum is worth 1.25% of your final grade.
Grades are prorated for documented problems in starting the course in the first week (e.g., late registration) or prolonged absence documented by your academic counsellor.
Posting on only one day a week, no matter how many comments you make, how much time you spent on them, or how long those comments are, will only count as meeting one-third of the requirements for that week.
Bottom line: It is about regularly coming to class at least three days every week and participating.
Q: I know we have a week to post our comments on OWL but when exactly does the "week" end? Are the Discussion Forums supposed to be from Sunday to Saturday?
A: Typically, Discussion topics open early Monday morning. A "week" is from 12:01 am on that Monday morning until 11:59pm on the next Sunday night. The exceptions are the week before Spring Reading Week and the final week of classes where the course must be shut down early in accordance with university regulations (please see 7.0 Class Schedule for more details)
All times are in London, Ontario. If you are taking the class in another time zone, you will need to make local adjustments to these times.
Q: Is there any way to make up for missed discussion posts?
A: I am sorry, but that is not possible. In order to keep it fair for all the students in the course, I need to adhere to the rules set in the syllabus for grading. If there are exceptional circumstances, please discuss these with your Academic Counsellor and I will work with the Academic Counsellor to ensure that you are not penalized for such occurrences.
12: FAQ ON EXAMS AND PRACTICE QUIZZES
This section of the syllabus is based on frequently asked questions I have gotten over the years about the midterm tests, final exam, and the practice quizzes.
Q: I don't see anything on the syllabus about the quizzes. How do they affect my grade?
A: The online practice quizzes and practice exams are, just as their names suggest, for practice only. You do not need to do them. They are simply there to help you prepare for the exams. They are written to be in the style and level of detail necessary for the exam. Many people do them but many don't, and that's OK.
Q: Do I need to know names (or dates, numbers, material in the boxes, etc) for the exam?
A: Every year I am asked some variant of this question about the exam. My response is that I don't answer these questions. Unfortunately, over the many years I have taught this course I have tried to answer such questions and routinely have run into problems. I have tried in different ways and, with each way, I find myself causing problems for myself and, more importantly, for the students.
I think the better question, that really underlies a lot of these questions, is "What level of detail do I need to know to best study for the exam?".
The best way I have found to answer this question is not to answer directly but, instead, direct people to the practice quizzes and practice exams. The questions on those quizzes and exams are similar in the level of detail that you are expected to answer.
Sorry I can't be more direct in my responses. I realize that it is likely disappointing to those wanting more specific direction.
Q: Do I just need to know the slides for the midterm tests or final exam?
A: The slides that are posted are there to support your learning. They are an extra tool to use in organizing the information. You should NOT consider them sufficient for studying.
Q: How long before my midterm tests or final exam are graded?
A: Just wanted to give you a heads up on the grading pattern for this course. As this is a Distance Studies course, I will be waiting for the midterm tests or final exams to come in from other Examination Centres across the country before we send them into grading (this usually takes almost a week).
I have been asked, why do I do that (or, why don't you just score the London midterm tests and final exam and then score the others when they come in separately)?
My answer is something that I learned many years ago and that is, no matter how good a question may look and read to me, that doesn't mean that you will interpret it the way I meant it. As a result, it may not be a good question and needs to be pulled from the midterm test or final exam. Sometimes, I have to rescore it and give two possible answers to the midterm test or final exam.
I have sat on committees for two exams that are classified as "high stakes". What that basically means is that if someone fails the exam, they don't get to do something. Driver's license would be considered "high stakes" as you either pass or fail and your ability to drive is determined by the result. All health professions, including Psychology, have such exams across the US and Canada. One thing I have learned from sitting on those committees is that, no matter how much time and effort a dozen expert psychologists spend in reviewing and revising a multiple choice question, it may be confusing to people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-stakes_testing
One exam for example, the EPPP, is a 225 question licensure exam but only 175 questions count. Sprinkled throughout that exam are another 50 questions that are being "trialled" to see if they work and are not officially scored. Many of these do not "work" statistically and are put aside to be destroyed or rewritten to be trialled again later. For those that do work, they are put into a working question bank that a future version of the exam will then choose from. Because of the potential for the exam to be brought to court by someone denied a license to practice because they thought the exam was unfair (and that does happen in the US), the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards have to ensure that all questions are fair.
That being said, I need as many responses as possible to review each question to see if it works (i.e., is fair). That does not mean I will remove hard questions. A question can be hard but fair. However, questions that are unfair - whether hard or easy - will be removed from the midterm tests or final exam.
I can see that potential unfairness only by reviewing the item-level statistics of each question individually. That level of analysis means you want as many people as possible and those whose inclusion reflect the breadth of those taking the midterm test or final examination. I won't bore you with the details of the statistical methods but, needless to say, I have picked up a few rules over the years in my other work. I apply many of those to this course.
Out of 125 questions, I usually find 2-4 that are just too biased to be included in a midterm tests or final exam. I either revise the scoring or I remove it before I calculate the final grade.
That will take a couple of days as well. Only after that is done can the midterm tests or final exam be finally scored and the grades posted.
Q: On what exam is Chapter 8?
A: It is not on the exam. Due to the length of the course, we can't cover everything in the course. When I first started teaching, I tried to work in all of the chapters, but it became more disjointed and difficult for students. I have narrowed the course down and, this year, this chapter is not included.
Q: The practice questions see easier than the real questions on the midterm tests and exams. There were questions on the tests/exams that were not reflected in the practice test content. Is that fair?
A: Believe it or not, this is common across almost all tests and exams. Even when practice questions are based on unused test questions (so are expected to the same as the actual questions) or if they are old questions from earlier tests, they will often *appear* easier. I have encountered this on the other exams I have mentioned above. There is something about taking the practice questions that is less pressure and, apparently, causes the questions to appear easier. Also, while the practice questions were chosen to give students an idea of the depth of knowledge required, they can’t cover all of the content the questions on the midterm tests and final exam will cover (if that were the case, we would just be assessing your ability to memorize practice questions). I promise, the practice quiz questions are similar in breadth and depth of knowledge required as the actual midterm tests and the final examination.
