Psychology 3316G 001 FW24

Psychological Trauma

Western University

London                   Canada

 

Department of Psychology

Winter 2024

 

Psychology 3316G   Section 001

 

Psychological Trauma

 

1     Calendar Description

 

This course covers the psychobiological theories and research aimed at helping us understand the diversity of human responses to traumatic life experiences, including sexual assault, childhood maltreatment and war.

 

Antirequisites: n/a

Prerequisites: Both Psychology 2801F/G (or one of Health Sciences 2801A/B, Psychology 2840F/G, Psychology 2855F/G) and Psychology 2811A/B (or one of Biology 2244A/B, Economics 2122A/B, Economics 2222A/B, Geography 2210A/B, Health Sciences 3801A/B, MOS 2242A/B, Psychology 2830A/B, Psychology 2850A/B, Sociology 2205A/B, Statistical Sciences 2035, Statistical Sciences 2141A/B, Statistical Sciences 2143A/B, Statistical Sciences 2244A/B, Statistical Sciences 2858A/B, the former Social Work 2207A/B), or the former Psychology 2820E, or both the former Psychology 2800E and the former Psychology 2810.

 

3 seminar/lecture hours. Course Weight: 0.5.

 

Unless you have either the prerequisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enrol in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

 

 

 

2     Course Information

 

Instructor: Paul Frewen, PhD, C.Psych.                        

Office & Phone: see Brightspace                                 

Office Hours:  By Appointment                                      

Email: pfrewen@uwo.ca                                                

Time and Location of Classes: see Student Centre for Timetable

 

For courses that include an online component, students must have a reliable internet connection and computer that are compatible with online learning system requirements.

 

3     Course Materials

 

* Note: Online Library Resource, there is NO NEED to purchase an individual copy.

 

4     Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

 

Learning Outcome

Learning Activity

Assessment

 

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge

·       Make connections between Psychological Trauma and Other Psychology Topics, particularly Abnormal and Clinical Psychology

·       Explain differences and linkages between the primary theories, research methods and core ideas of trauma psychology

 

Attendance and Participation in Face-to-Face Learning

 

Asynchronous Readings and Videos

 

Multiple Choice Mid-term and Final Examinations

 

Knowledge of Methodologies

·       Critical inquiry in identifying the underlying assumptions, points of view, and paradigms typical of trauma psychology research, thereby determining the reliability and validity of researchers’ methods and conclusions

 

Critically appraise and knowledge translate an assigned research article in an academic trauma psychology journal

 

Briefly summarize and critically appraise research projects you participate in

 

Recorded and Narrated PowerPoint presentation

 

Research participation and summary/critique

 

Application of Knowledge

·       Critical Inquiry: Explore and seek to solve a complex problem in trauma psychology from a variety of perspectives, recognizing bias, and identifying missing information or underrepresented voices, by proposing a research project, recognizing the limitations inherent to the methods proposed

·       Creative Thinking: Engage in aesthetic engagement and artistic expression in portraying knowledge about trauma psychology critiqued from fictional and non-fictional media

 

 

Construct and Present a Research Proposal in form of an in-class virtual conference poster presentation (Group Assignment)

 

Critique of trauma psychology presentations in popular from fictional and non-fictional media

 

In-class virtual conference poster presentation of a trauma psychology research proposal (Group Assignment)

 

Critique of case presentation of trauma psychology in popular media (fictional and non-fictional)

 

Communication Skills

·       Interact and collaborate effectively with other individuals using the language and reasoning of trauma psychology

 

Construct and Present a Research Proposal in form of an in-class virtual conference poster presentation (Group Assignment)

 

 

In-class virtual conference poster presentation of a trauma psychology research proposal (Group Assignment)

 

 

 

 

5     Evaluation

 

Multiple Choice Mid-term Exam

25%

Multiple Choice Final Exam

25%

Recorded, Narrated PowerPoint Presentation (Essay Component)

10%

Research Participation and Summaries/Critiques (Essay Component)

5x2%=10%

In-class virtual conference poster presentation (Essay Component)

10%

Case study (Fictional) (Essay Component)

10%

Case study (Non-fictional) (Essay Component)

10%

The evaluation and testing formats for this course were created to assess the learning objectives as listed in section 4 and are necessary for meeting these learning objectives

 

Policy on Missing Coursework

 

Assignments are due on dates specified and are otherwise late penalties of 5% per day.

 

Because this is an essay course, as per Senate Regulations, you must pass the essay components to pass the course. That is, the average mark for your written assignments must be at least 50%.

 

This course is exempt from the Senate requirement that students receive assessment of their work accounting for at least 15% of their final grade at least three full days before the date of the deadline for withdrawal from a course without academic penalty.

 

The Psychology Department follows Western’s grading guidelines:  https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf

 

The expectation for course grades within the Psychology Department is that they will be distributed around the following averages:

 

70%     1000-level to 2099-level courses

72%     2100-2999-level courses

75%     3000-level courses

80%     4000-level courses

 

In the event that course grades are significantly higher or lower than these averages, instructors may be required to make adjustments to course grades. Such adjustment might include the normalization of one or more course components and/or the re-weighting of various course components.

 

Policy on Grade Rounding

 

Please note that although course grades within the Psychology Department are rounded to the nearest whole number, no further grade rounding will be done. No additional assignments will be offered to enhance a final grade; nor will requests to change a grade because it is needed for a future program be considered.

 

6     Assessment/Evaluation Schedule

 

 

Week

Date

Multiple Choice Mid-Term Exam

8

Feb 26

Multiple Choice Final Exam

 

During Final Examination Period

Recorded, Narrated Critical Appraisal & Knowledge Translation

4

Jan 29

Case study (Fictional) (Essay Component) – First Draft

5

Feb 5

Case study (Fictional) (Essay Component) – Final Draft

7

Feb 26

Research Participation and Summaries/Critiques #1

8

Feb 26

Research Participation and Summaries/Critiques #2

9

Mar 5

Case study (Non-Fictional) (Essay Component) – First Draft

9

Mar 5

Research Participation and Summaries/Critiques #3

10

Feb 12

Research Participation and Summaries/Critiques #4

11

Mar 19

Case study (Non-Fictional) (Essay Component) – Final Draft

11

Mar 19

Research Participation and Summaries/Critiques #5

12

Mar 26

In-class virtual conference poster presentation (Essay Component)

12

Mar 25

 

 

 

7     Class Schedule

 

Week 

DATE 

TOPIC & Hyperlinked Asynchronous Lecture Videos 

Required Readings 

1 

Jan 8 

Introduction to Trauma Psychology 
  • Vol1-Ch2 Defining Trauma 

2 

Jan 15 

Introduction to... (Continued) 
  • Vol1-Ch10 Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD 

3 

Jan 22 

Different Kinds of Traumatic Events 
  • Vol1-Ch15-Complex Trauma and Complex PTSD 

4 

Jan 29 

Different Kinds... (Continued) 
  • As above 

5 

Feb 5 

Trauma Exposure as a Transdiagnostic Vulnerability Factor & PTSD Comorbidity 
  • Vol1-Ch14 Other disorders associated with psychological trauma 

6 

Feb 12

Trauma memory focused therapies 

and Non-trauma memory focused therapies 

·        Ch16-Trauma and memory

  • Vol2-Ch11 Emotion Regulation and Skills-Based Interventions 

7 

Feb 19 

WINTER READING WEEK 
  • n/a 

8 

Feb 26 

Mid-term Examination
  • Weeks 1-5

9 

Mar 5 

Trauma-related Emotion Dysregulation & Self 
  • None 

10 

Mar 12

Posttraumatic Dissociation 
  • Vol1-Ch13 Dissociation as a Trauma-Related Phenomenon 

11* 

Mar 19

Resiliency and Growth 
  • Vol2-Ch5 Trauma Resiliency and Posttraumatic Growth 

12 

Mar 26

Virtual Conference Poster Presentations (Research Proposals)  
  • n/a 

13 

Apr 2 

Review  
  • n/a 

 

 

8     Academic Integrity

 

Scholastic offences are taken seriously, and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf.

 

Possible penalties for a scholastic offence include failure of the assignment/exam, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.

 

Statement on Use of Electronic Devices

 

Electronic devices are required for class activities. However, no electronic devices will be allowed during mid-term and final examinations.

 

Plagiarism Detection Software

 

All required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism.  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.

 

Use of AI

 

The use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT to produce written work is not permitted unless permission is granted by the instructor for specific circumstances. Any work submitted must be the work of the student in its entirety unless otherwise disclosed. When used, AI tools should be used ethically and responsibly, and students must cite or credit the tools used in line with the expectation to use AI as a tool to learn, not to produce content.

 

Multiple Choice Exams

 

Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.

 

 

 

9     Academic Accommodations and Accessible Education

 

View Western’s policy on academic accommodations for student with disabilities at this link.

 

Accessible Education provides supports and services to students with disabilities at Western.

If you think you may qualify for ongoing accommodation that will be recognized in all your courses, visit Accessible Education for more information.  Email: aew@uwo.ca  Phone: 519 661-2147

 

10  Absence & Academic Consideration

 

View Western’s policy on academic consideration for medical illnesses this link

 

Find your academic counsellor here: https://www.registrar.uwo.ca/faculty_academic_counselling.html

 

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain academic considerations. Students must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence.

 

Medical Absences

 

Submit a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for Academic Consideration.

 

Nonmedical Absences

 

Submit appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in your Faculty of registration to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

 

Religious Consideration

 

Students seeking accommodation for religious purposes are advised to contact Academic Counselling at least three weeks prior to the religious event and as soon as possible after the start of the term.

 

 

11  Other Information

 

 

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Health and Wellness@Western https://www.uwo.ca/health/ 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.

 

If you wish to appeal a grade, please read the policy documentation at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/appealsundergrad.pdf. Please first contact the course instructor. If your issue is not resolved, you may make your appeal in writing to the Undergraduate Chair in Psychology (psyugrd@uwo.ca).

 

Copyright Statement

 

Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, videos 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 any course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.

 

Policy on the Recording of Synchronous Sessions

 

Some or all the learning sessions for this course may be recorded. The data captured during these recordings may include your image, voice recordings, chat logs and personal identifiers. The recordings will be used for educational purposes related to this course, including evaluations. The recordings may be disclosed to other individuals participating in the course for their private or group study purposes. Please contact the instructor if you have any concerns related to session recordings. Participants in this course are not permitted to privately record the sessions, except where recording is an approved accommodation, or the student has the prior written permission of the instructor.

 

 

 

12  Land Acknowledgement

 

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Chonnonton. Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. This land continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) whom we recognize as contemporary stewards of the land and vital contributors of our society.