Psychology 2310A 650
If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
LONDON CANADA
Department of Psychology
2021
Summer Distance (May 3 to July 23, 2021)
Psychology 2310A Section 650
Abnormal Psychology
- CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
This theory course is designed to introduce the wide-ranging theories of psychopathology in adults. Topics will include the major DSM diagnostic categories, as well as research and treatment. The course orientation is empirical, with an emphasis on recent research findings with this population.
Antirequisite: Psychology 2030A/B, Psychology 3310F/G, Psychology 3311.
Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. 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.
Prerequisite: A mark of at least 60% in 1.0 credit of Psychology at the 1000 level.
2 lecture hours and 1 tutorial hour; 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.
2.0 COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Katie McKeown
Office Hours: Online – By Appointment
Email: kmckeow6@uwo.ca
Time and Location of Classes: Online Asynchronous; Lectures & course material will be posted to OWL for students to watch at a time that is convenient for them.
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. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.
3.0 TEXTBOOK
Required: Dozois, D. J. A. (2019). Abnormal Psychology: Perspectives (6th Ed). Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada.
4.0 COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goal of this course is to explore current concepts and research on major psychological and mental disorders of adulthood, including issues of assessment, prevalence, course, major etiological theories, and treatment.
4.1 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
Learning Outcome |
Learning Activity |
Assessment |
|
Depth and Breadth of Knowledge. Describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes relevant to abnormal psychology |
Lectures, videos, activities and readings |
Exam |
|
Knowledge of Methodologies. Identify concepts and current states of knowledge based on scientific research in psychology |
Lectures, videos and readings |
Exam |
|
Application of Knowledge. Recognize the general diagnostic features of some adult psychological disorders within the DSM-5 |
Lectures, videos, activities, readings and case studies |
Exam |
5.0 EVALUATION
Course grades are based on performance in 3 online asynchronous exams.
Exams: Exams could consist of items in multiple choice, fill in the blank and matching format. Students are responsible for material assigned in the textbook, as well as material covered in lectures.
The First Exam (May 31), worth 30% of the final grade, will cover material from Week 1-4.
The Second Exam (June 28), worth 35% of the final grade, will cover material from Week 5-8.
The Final Exam (July 26-29), worth 35% of the final grade, will cover course material from Week 9-12.
Exams will be conducted online via OWL and timed. Questions will be answered in a strict linear fashion; once you move from question 1 to question 2, you cannot go back to question 1. Exams will not be proctored, they are “open book,” meaning you may use your textbook and/or lecture/tutorial notes during the exam, but you must work independently; do NOT discuss or share any parts of the exams with your peers. Exams represent 100% of your final mark.
Students who are unable to write a scheduled exam must inform their instructor and provide proper documentation to their academic counsellor. If approval is made for a make-up exam, your rewrite will be scheduled by your instructor.
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 to 2099-level courses
72% 2100-2999-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
Final course grades in this class reflect student achievement. Per Psychology Department policy, grades that are close to the next grade level (e.g., 79%, 89%) will not be rounded up.
6.0 ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE
|
Assessment |
Date |
Weight |
|
Exam 1 |
May 31, 2021 |
30% |
|
Exam 2 |
June 28, 2021 |
35% |
|
Exam 3 |
TBD – Summer Distance Exam Session (July 26 – July 29, 2021) |
35% |
7.0 CLASS SCHEDULE
|
Week |
Date |
Topic |
Reading |
Assessment |
|
Week 1 |
May 3 |
Introduction |
Chapter 1 |
|
|
Week 2 |
May 10 |
Abnormal Psychology & DSM-5 |
Chapter 1 |
|
|
Week 3 |
May 17 |
Theoretical Models of Abnormal Behaviour |
Chapter 2 |
|
|
Week 4 |
May 24 |
Psychological Assessment & Research Methods |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
Week 5 |
May 31 |
Anxiety Disorders |
Chapter 5 |
Exam 1 – 30% |
|
Week 6 |
June 7 |
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder |
Chapter 5 |
|
|
Week 7 |
June 14 |
Mood Disorders I (Depression) |
Chapter 8 |
|
|
Week 8 |
June 21 |
Mood Disorders II (Bipolar Disorder) and Suicide
|
Chapter 8 |
|
|
Week 9 |
June 28 |
Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders |
Chapter 9 |
Exam 2 – 35% |
|
Week 10 |
July 5 |
Eating Disorders |
Chapter 10 |
|
|
Week 11 |
July 12 |
Personality Disorders |
Chapter 12 |
|
|
Week 12 |
July 19 |
Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders |
Chapter 11 |
|
|
Final Exam |
July 26– 29
|
Final Exam |
|
Exam 3 - 35% |
8.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offences. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offences because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offence 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 offences. 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 will be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.
In classes that involve the use of a personal response system (PRS), data collected using the PRS will only be used in a manner consistent to that described in this outline. It is the instructor’s responsibility to make every effort to ensure that data remain confidential. However, students should be aware that as with all forms of electronic communication, privacy is not guaranteed. Your PRS login credentials are for your sole use only. Students attempting to use another student’s credentials to submit data through the PRS may be subject to academic misconduct proceedings.
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.
9.0 POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR ILLNESS OR OTHER ABSENCES
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
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 must be submitted before the exam/coursework deadline in order to be valid. It 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 hoursafter the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence
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.
10.0 Contingency Plan for Return to Lockdown: IN-Person & Blended classes
In the event of a COVID-19 resurgence during the term that necessitates the course delivery moving away from face-to-face interaction, all remaining course content will be delivered entirely online, either synchronously (i.e., at the times indicated in the timetable) or asynchronously (e.g., posted on OWL for students to view at their convenience). The grading scheme will not change. Any remaining assessments will also be conducted online, as determined by the course instructor.
11.0 STATEMENTS CONCERNING ONLINE ETIQUETTE
In courses involving online interactions, the Psychology Department expects students to honour the following rules of etiquette:
- please “arrive” to class on time
- please use your computer and/or laptop if possible (as opposed to a cell phone or tablet)
- please ensure that you are in a private location to protect the confidentiality of discussions in the event that a class discussion deals with sensitive or personal material
- to minimize background noise, kindly mute your microphone for the entire class until you are invited to speak, unless directed otherwise
- In classes larger than 30 participants please turn off your video camera for the entire class unless you are invited to speak
- In classes of 30 students or fewer, where video chat procedures are being used, please be prepared to turn your video camera off at the instructor’s request if the internet connection becomes unstable
- Unless invited by your instructor, do not share your screen in the meeting
The course instructor will act as moderator for the class and will deal with any questions from participants. To participate please consider the following:
- If you wish to speak, use the “raise hand” function and wait for the instructor to acknowledge you before beginning your comment or question.
- Please remember to unmute your microphone and turn on your video camera before speaking.
- Self-identify when speaking.
- Please remember to mute your mic and turn off your video camera after speaking (unless directed otherwise).
General considerations of “netiquette”:
- Keep in mind the different cultural and linguistic backgrounds of the students in the course.
- Be courteous toward the instructor, your colleagues, and authors whose work you are discussing.
- Be respectful of the diversity of viewpoints that you will encounter in the class and in your readings. The exchange of diverse ideas and opinions is part of the scholarly environment. “Flaming” is never appropriate.
- Be professional and scholarly in all online postings. Use proper grammar and spelling. Cite the ideas of others appropriately.
Note that disruptive behaviour of any type during online classes, including inappropriate use of the chat function, is unacceptable. Students found guilty of Zoom-bombing a class or of other serious online offenses may be subject to disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct.
12.0 OTHER INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar: http://registrar.uwo.ca
Student Development Services: 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
- 2021-2022 Calendar References
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 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.
