This course examines human behavior typically classified as “abnormal.” Diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, current theories of etiology, and contemporary treatment strategies will be reviewed. The goal of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to develop an empathic understanding of individuals with mental illnesses.

Specifically, this 3-credit course will cover concepts associated with abnormal behaviors including recognizing the presence of a mental disorder and identifying signs and symptoms of abnormal behaviors and insanity. The student will also be taught the theories and models that guide the clinical treatment of abnormal disorders such as the biological model, the psychodynamic approach, the cognitive-behavioral approach, and the humanistic perspective. An introduction to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual will be covered along with many of the psychological disorders. Finally, emphasis will be placed on general principles of psychopathology in a historical context and how it impacts society today.

Unless you opt out, this all-inclusive digital textbook is linked to your Canvas course site. Simply click the “Inclusive Access Course Materials” link on Canvas to access your book.

Psychopathology and Mental Health, 10thedition., by Thomas F. Oltmanns, Robert E. Emery, Kelsie Forbush & Susan South ISBN-13:978013820223-1
©2025 • Pearson Publishing Company

By the end of the semester, students should have sufficient knowledge of the organization of the DSM-5-TR, the criteria for many mental disorders, as well as the etiology and epidemiology of severe and persistent mental disorders such as schizophrenia. This course will help prepare students to take the Psychology GRE and familiarize the students with the socio-political, economic, and artistic worlds of abnormal psychology.

L01-Etiology Awareness

• Describe and evaluate biological, psychological, and social contributors to various psychological disorders.

L02-Classification Systems

• Analyze and use contemporary classification tools (DSM-5-TR, ICD), including cross-cutting transdiagnostic models.

L03-Critical Thinking

• Critically evaluate research claims, pseudoscience, media portrayals in psychopathology.

L04-Clinical Reasoning

• Apply evidence-based treatment frameworks to conceptualize and recommend interventions for psychopathological presentations.

L05-Case Analysis & Communication

• Integrate case study findings to produce diagnostic formulations and thoughtful case presentations, mindful of cultural and individual variation.

L06-Research Methods Literacy

• Interpret research methods and findings to support evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies.

NOTE: All required assignments & Quizzes are only posted on CANVAS. If you see any shared assignment or quiz within the digital textbook, it is only there for your learning purposes. Supplemental assignments in the book are not required nor graded by your Instructor.

Course assignments will consist of the following online material: Required Readings from Oltmanns & Emery’s Psychopathology and Mental Health text and other recommended readings from class postings, assigned readings, PPTs, optional Zooms, quizzes, module tests, and a cumulative final exam.

• Students will be given new course material each week.
• Students should submit their assigned tasks by the end of each week.
• Assigned tasks will include quizzes, tests, homework assignments and discussion posts.

Each week will begin with a new Announcement posted on Canvas, followed by assigned readings. Students should review & complete the weekly tasks (i.e., discussion posts, pre-recorded Zoom lectures, assignments, quizzes or module tests). Within assigned readings, clinical cases will be presented that relate to specific psychological or neurological disorders under study.

Grading will be based on Quizzes, Module Tests, Assignments, Discussion Posts, and the Final Exam.

Criteria for Evaluation of Student Performance/Grading Scheme & Evaluation of Objectives

1. The average of all Quizzes will constitute 20% of your final grade.
2. The average of 3 Module Tests will constitute 30% of your final grade.
3. The online Final Exam will be cumulative and will constitute 20% of your final grade.
4. The average of 9 Discussion & Reply Posts will constitute 20% of your final grade.
5. Three Additional Homework Assignments (specifically Assignments 1 & 2 and Activity-1) will constitute 10% of your final grade.
6. Attendance: Please make every effort to log onto CANVAS regularly to see any updates and submit your work in a timely manner. The CANVAS site keeps track of the amount of time that you actively spend on CANVAS so please make sure that all your work is your own.
   • Delinquent or complete inactivity on your Canvas course site will be equivalent to unexcused absences and will constitute 10+ pts off from final course grade or an unofficial withdrawal. Please contact me AND the University’s Health Center if you will be out for an extended period.
7. Course Letter Grade Values

   A = ≥95 B =84-86.9 C =74-76.9 F =<60

   A- = 90-94.9 B- =80-83.9 C- = 69-73.9

   B+ =87-89.9 C+ =77-79.9 D =60-68.9

You will be responsible for reading the entire chapter. The course outline is tentative and may change depending upon school requirements, health crisis, weather issues, or if deemed appropriate by the instructor.

Note: unless otherwise specified, each task is due by the end of that designated week, specifically by each Sunday night, 11:59pm. Please take note that your Final Exam is due on a Thursday, not a Sunday.

• All online quizzes will be counted equally, therefore if you miss a quiz and have a valid excuse such as documented illness, religious holiday, previously arranged meeting, you must contact the professor as soon as possible, specifically prior to April 19th, 2026.
• All Module Tests will be counted equally, therefore if you miss a Test and have a valid excuse such as a documented illness, pregnancy, religious holiday, or previously arranged meeting, you must contact the professor as soon as possible.
• If you cannot attend the class due to a religious holiday, pre-arranged job-interview, scientific meeting, or excused absence that falls on the day of a test, it is up to you to contact the professor, and arrangements will be worked out accordingly. With prior approval, make-up tests will be given as soon as the instructor deems it possible or at the end of the semester, however keep in mind that the absolute last day for a make-up is April 19, 2026.

Typically, there are no makeup exams without a doctor’s note and the approval from professor, however extending circumstances may occur during the semester and need to be addressed on an individual basis.

• If you are sick or have an excused absence on a quiz or test day, makeups are given on or before 4/19/2026. Please contact your professor to make arrangements.
• If you are out for an extended period of time, please contact your professor and The SUU Health Center.

Instructors Policies on Late Assignments and/or makeup work:

• An automatic deduction of 5points/week will be made for any late HW submissions.
• Students should make every effort to submit every assignment even if late, so that they are awarded at least partial credit.
• Contact the Professor immediately if you miss a test or quiz.
• With prior permission from the instructor, if you have an excused absence, you may be able to take a make-up test, specifically on Apr 19th..
• No more than 2 items or HW tasks can be made-up during the semester.

• Due 2/22-3/15 • Activity1 (note: an extension on this activity is acceptable, without a late penalty, until March 15th. )
• Due by Monday 4/06 note: students have an extra day to submit the quiz due to the holiday (w/out late penalty).

This is an asynchronous online course, thus physical attendance is not required. However, it is expected that you will spend the same amount of time that you would spend on a face-to-face course working on the material for this course.

Attendance: Please make every effort to log onto CANVAS regularly to see any updates and submit your work in a timely manner. The CANVAS site keeps track of the amount of time that you actively spend on CANVAS so please make sure that all your work is your own.

• Delinquent or complete inactivity on your Canvas course site will be equivalent to unexcused absences and will constitute 10+ pts off from final course grade or an unofficial withdrawal. Please contact me AND the University’s Health Center if you will be out for an extended period.

Technology Requirements and Support

If students are asked to access or need to use the SUU Online Library, please refer to the following Library Link: SUU.edu/IT

General ONLINE Info:

• Students will need Internet access and a PC computer or a Macintosh with the latest version of a web browser.
• CANVAS Learning Management System will be used for all aspects of this course.
  o Canvas support for students. Call 435-865-8555 with questions.

Technology

For difficulty or trouble-shooting parameters, please feel free to reach out to SUU’s Information Technology (IT) Dept.

• o Computer Labs, IT Help Desk, and Usage ST 107 my.suu.edu/help/ & https://labuse.suu.edu/
• o Help with computer accounts, passwords, internet access, email, and printing. Computer lab locations and availability.

Prerequisites and Registration Restrictions

Prerequisites: PSY 101 / Introductory Psych or equivalent

Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None