Discipline: Psychology Degree Credit  [ ]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Psychology 35


COURSE DESCRIPTION
35 Abnormal Psychology Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
Survey of historical and contemporary approaches to diagnosing, understanding, and treating major forms of psychological disorder, including: anxieties, fears, obsessions, psychoses, sexual and personality disorders, disorders of childhood and adolescence. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
A survey of the nature, causes, and treatment of psychological disorder.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
Identify the symptomotology of the recognized psychological disorders as stated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Compare and contrast major contemporary theoretical perspectives on the causes of mental illness. Analyze the interaction between biological, psychological, and social aspects of psychological disturbances.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 

Nature and history of abnormality
 The concept of abnormality
 History of approaches to abnormality

Investigating and diagnosing abnormality
 Systems of assessment and diagnosis

Emotional disorders
 Anxiety, somatoform, and dissociative
 Psychosomatic
 Depression, mania, bipolar

Psychotic and organic disorders
 Schizophrenia and paranoia
 Organic brain disorders

Social and interpersonal disorders
 Sexual dysfunction
 Substance abuse
 Personality disorders

Developmental disorders
 Disorders of childhood and adolescence
 Mental retardation
 
Models and treatments of abnormality
 Biomedical approach
 Psychodynamic and existential approaches
 Behavioral and cognitive approaches
 Community mental health approach

Students are also assigned reading, writing and other outside assignments equivalent to two hours per one hour lecture. 


 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

Class lectures/discussions/demonstrations
Videos/films/slides/audiotapes
Pair and small group activities/discussions
Guest lecturers
Reports and papers
Cooperative learning tasks
Online instruction
May also be offered as telecourse: “The World of Abnormal Psychology”
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

Oral reports/presentations
Written reports/presentations
Quizzes/examinations
Written assignments
Class and individual projects
Final Examination
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Barlow, D.H., and Durand. M.V. . Abnormal Psychology. 3 ed. any: Wadsworth, 2002.
  • Comer, R. . Abnormal Psychology. 4 ed. any: Worth, 2004.
  • Halgin, R.P., and Whitbourne, S.K. . Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders. 4 ed. any: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
  • Nolen-Hoeksema, S. . Abnormal Psychology. 3 ed. any: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
  • Oltmanns, T.H., and Emery, R.E. . Abnormal Psychology. 3 ed. any: Prentice Hall, 2001.
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