PSYS 2500 OL1 (CRN: 61876)
Psychological Science: Psychopathology (OL1)
3 credit hours
About PSYS 2500 OL1
Describing and defining abnormal behavior; models of etiology; research evidence for biological and social models; methods of intervention and prevention. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400.
Notes
Prereq: PSYS 1400; Asynchronous online
Section Description
PSYS 170: Psychopathology introduces the scientific and clinical study of mental disorders. The course covers historical perspectives, current research, and professional practice in mental health. Topics include DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, causes of mental disorders, treatment approaches, mental health stigma, and professional ethics in clinical psychology.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• understand how mental disorders differ from typical psychological functioning;
• identify and distinguish major categories of mental disorders;
• explain diagnostic methods and the role of the DSM-5;
• describe major treatment approaches and evaluate their effectiveness;
• analyze case studies using critical and professional judgment; and
• understand ethical standards in clinical practice.
Section Expectation
This course follows a structured schedule aligned with the Comer textbook and its online platform. Students complete assigned readings, participate in blog discussions, and complete several types of assessments, including Learning Curves, video activities, online quizzes, and Clinical Choices. Assignments are due by 11:59 pm on scheduled days, and meeting deadlines is strongly encouraged to help you move forward.
Evaluation
Grades will be based on several components.
• Learning Curves and Videos: 25% (completion)
• Online Quizzes: 45% (up to two attempts/quiz).
• Clinical Choices: 15% (pretend to be a therapist and assess your client's diagnosis).
• Engagement: 15% (thoughtful completion of weekly self-reflection blogs and comments on peers' blogs)
This grading structure emphasizes steady effort and active participation while spreading points across many assignments. As a result, no single assignment carries excessive weight, and a poor performance on one task is unlikely to affect your final grade significantly.
Important Dates
| Last Day to Add | |
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| Last Day to Drop | |
| Last Day to Withdraw with 50% Refund | |
| Last Day to Withdraw with 25% Refund | |
| Last Day to Withdraw |