PSYD501 PSYCHOPATHOLOGYCourse Syllabus : PSYD501 PSYCHOPATHOLOGYCourse Syllabus Instructor: Dr. Diana Gibson
Phone: 407/291-7181 (Office),
407/291-7225(Fax)
E-Mail: ddarnley@truworshippersschool.com
Course Description: : Course Description: This course will provide an in depth review of a broad spectrum of Psychopathological conditions. The focus of this review will include the etiology, prevalence & incidence, signs & symptoms, and criteria for differential diagnosis. The emphasis of this review will be on comparing and contrasting different theoretical perspectives on each disorder, as well as reviewing the empirical literature in support of these theoretical perspectives.
Objectives: : Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the student should:
1. Be familiar with and able to discuss several different theoretical perspectives in the general field of psychopathology as well as the empirical support for these theories.
2. Be able to apply these theoretical perspectives in reviewing each of the psychopathological conditions covered in the course.
3. Be familiar with and able to discuss the DSM-IV multi-axial classification of mental
Disorders and the criteria for diagnosing these disorders.
4. Be able to apply the DSM-IV classification system in determining the appropriate
Diagnosis of clinical cases.
5. Have a substantial foundation of knowledge about psychopathology to apply in
Formulating appropriate and effective intervention strategies to treat a broad spectrum of
Psychopathological conditions.
Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding / Edition 2 by James E. Maddux, Barbara A. Winstead, (2007) : Psychopathology: Foundations for a Contemporary Understanding / Edition 2 by James E. Maddux, Barbara A. Winstead, (2007) Required Textbook
Psychopathology : Psychopathology Grading and Course Requirements:
The final grade for the course is based on a maximum possible total of 400 points, and will be composed of four graded items, each of which is worth a maximum of 100 points:
Three exams, each accounting for 25% of the final grade. Each exam will cover material in the assigned readings as well as class discussion. Each exam will be composed of objective, multiple choice questions for Part I, and a detailed clinical case for which a complete diagnosis will be required for Part II.
A 6-page paper assignment to present a formulation and diagnosis of an assigned clinical
Case, accounting for 25% of the final grade. Requirements for this paper are detailed at the end of this syllabus.
For the final grade and for each 100 point component, letter grades are based on % of maximum
possible points: 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, <60 = F Class Attendance:
I will assume that you are a responsible adult, capable of making independent decisions and that what you learn and the grades you earn in this class are in your hands. Attendance at class is your responsibility and you will be expected to listen to each lectured class.
Material presented in class will include material from sources other than the textbooks. If you do not listen the lecture to a class, you will be at a disadvantage on the exams, which will cover material from the textbooks and class discussion. You will be expected to complete assigned readings prior to the assigned class, so that you can participate meaningfully in class discussions.
If a legitimate, unusual, and unavoidable circumstance prevents you from taking an exam at the scheduled time, you must notify the instructor in advance to schedule an appointment for a make-up exam. Otherwise, no make-up exam will be permitted.
Class Schedule : Class Schedule Week 1: Introduction to course, review of syllabus
Reading Assignment: Chapter 1
Week 2: Cultural Dimensions of Psychopathology
Reading Assignment: Chapter 2
Week 3: The Role of Gender, Race and Class in Psychopathology
Reading Assignment: Chapter 3
Quiz #1 on Chapters 1 – 3 review lecture notes
Week 4: Biological Bases of Psychopathology
Reading Assignment: Chapter 4
Week 5: Classification and Diagnosis
Reading Assignment: Chapter 5
Week 6: Psychotherapy Research
Reading Assignment: Chapter 7- 9
Quiz # 2 on Chapters 4-5, 7-9 review lecture notes
Midterm on Chapters 1-9 Study Lecture Notes Week 7: Eating Disorder
Reading Assignment: Chapter 12
Week 8: Sexual Dysfunctions and Disorders
Reading Assignment: Chapter 13
Week 9: Somatoform Disorders
Reading Assignment: Chapter 14
Quiz #3 on Chapters 10 – 12 review lecture notes
Week 10: Substance Abuse
Reading Assignment: Chapter 15
Week 11: Childhood Disorders
Reading Assignment: Chapters 16-18
Week 12: Mental Health and Aging
Reading Assignment: Chapter 19
Final Exam: Chapters 9-19 Study all Lecture Notes
Assignments : Assignments Case
Case Formulation Assignment : Case Formulation Assignment This assignment is designed as an exercise in differential diagnosis to develop your skill in
Assessing an actual clinical case. Each student will be assigned a case vignette which provides
clinical data from which a diagnostic formulation can be developed. The task is to present a
comprehensive diagnostic formulation which integrates etiology, theory, and research, as they
apply to your specific case. In addition, you should clearly identify your process of ruling-out
other disorders as possible diagnoses, as you rule-in your final diagnosis. The case formulation
should include a brief description of:
(1) the external or environmental factors that might be relevant in the etiology and maintenance of the client's presenting problems.
(2) the internal factors (biological, affective, cognitive) that might be relevant in the etiology and maintenance of the client's problems.
(3) the different theoretical perspectives which might be applicable to this particular case and how they apply.
(4) the complete DSM-IV diagnosis (all 5 axes) you would assign for this particular case.
To complete this assignment, you will need to be concise in covering each of the above four
items.
The paper must be typewritten, using APA a maximum of six (10) pages of text. Your grade for this paper will be assigned according to the following score sheet.