Abnormal Psychology
One Section Available to Choose From:
| Course Dates | Weeks | Meeting Times | Status | Instructor(s) | CRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 15, 2013 - July 26, 2013 | 2 | M-F 9A-11:50A | Waitlisted | Anne Day | 10358 |
Course Description
This course takes a look at common psychological problems by describing criteria for diagnosis, psychological treatment, and critical thinking skills as they apply to the field of clinical psychology. The course will also cover the role of stigma in abnormal behavior and mental illness.
Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to be depressed, and others are afraid of things that don’t seem that scary to you? Or how some can drink alcohol in moderation and other people have a hard time stopping? If so, you’ve already thought about abnormal, or clinical, psychology.
This is an introductory seminar in abnormal psychology. By the end of the course, students will have learned about a wide variety of mental health problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, psychosis, eating disorders, and addictive disorders. Students will not be presented only with “facts” about different forms of psychopathology; rather, students will be helped to develop critical thinking skills as applied to theories and treatments relevant for each disorder. Students will also be encouraged to appreciate the role of stigma in abnormal behavior and mental illness.
The format of this 2-week course will include lectures, discussions, video presentations, and group projects. Assignments will include readings, class presentations, short essays, and brief quizzes.
By the end of this course, students will know or be able to do the following:
-Learn about the diagnostic system that defines psychological disorders.
-Highlight current empirically-supported treatments for mental illness and the scientific process by which these interventions are developed and established.
-Develop critical thinking about the categorization and treatment of psychiatric illness
-Appreciate the role of stigma (and the various sources of stigma) on the experience of mental illness and relatedly, the barriers to treatment.
No Prerequisites are required. Material will be presented at the level of one who does not have any prior didactics in psychology or clinical science.