Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Abnormal Psychology (Online)

PSY 2300-31I

Course: PSY 2300-31I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 20940

Course Description

Course Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of general concepts of psychopathology, wellness, and mental health. We will explore causes, effects, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders utilizing a variety of theoretical perspectives. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying critical thinking skills to understand psychopathology.

Required Texts

Required Text: Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology (10th ed.) by Ronald J. Comer

Learning Outcomes

ESSENTIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

  1. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World-

    • Become familiar with diagnostic criteria of psychological disorders.
    • Learn about the effects of mental health issues on daily functioning.

  2. Critical Thinking

    • Utilize different theoretical perspectives to understand and explore psychological issues.
    • Apply understanding to real-world observations and experiences

  3. Inquiry and Analysis

    • Learn about various methodologies utilized in research
    • Analyze research methodology, understand the benefits and drawbacks of differing methodologies
ExamsChapter SummariesOnline DiscussionCase Report
KnowledgeXXXX
Critical ThinkingXXXX
Inquiry & AnalysisXX

Course Requirements

ASSIGNMENTS & EXAMS

Learning Modules:

Read, Report, Discuss, and Test

The essential format for each of the Learning Modules will be a four-step process for each chapter: read, report, discuss, and test. The purpose of the reading section is to give you access to the content. The purpose of the report is to evaluate your understanding of the content and to act as an indicator of your knowledge as you prepare for the examinations. The purpose of the discussion is to help you critically think about the material and to help you more fully understand the readings through application and reflection. Obviously, the purpose of the exam is to test your knowledge of the content.

Readings: The readings are chapters in the textbook. There might be times when you are asked to read a webpage, an article or watch an online video clip. All additional “readings” will be supplied on Canvas.

Summary Report: For each chapter you will be asked to write a 500 word (approximately one page, single spaced 1 inch margin, or a 2 page double spaced) summary. The summary should include the major themes and ideas conveyed in the chapter. These summaries are also useful to you as you take the exams. These are worth up to 20 points each. The summary should not be a bullet point summary nor should it be copied from the text. It should be in your own words and cover the major concepts and ideas from the chapter. Do not include name, course title, date, etc. on assignments, those are already in Canvas.

Discussion: Part of your grade will come from participation in a discussion question. Each assigned chapter will have a discussion associated with it; is worth up to 20 points. Your discussion participation should be thoughtful and edited. That is, a simple one-sentence response is not enough to earn full credit. Each post should be at least 300 words of writing (equivalent to just over one page, double-spaced) with appropriate grammar and paragraph structures. Please do not expect that just because you respond or write something that you will earn full points—again, be thoughtful in your responses and you should include concepts from the chapter.

Test: Each chapter covered in the Learning Modules will have a test associated with it. The exams cover the content from only one chapter and the exams are timed. You may use your book and other material (such as slides or your own notes taken while reading) for the exams; however, you must complete the exams by yourself. Please do not violate this policy. Each exam is worth up to 50 points. The exams are multiple choice.

Clinical Case Report: This project will give you an opportunity to learn more about the lived experience of an individual dealing with mental health issues. You will find an online blog (written or video) posted by a person who reports having a mental health diagnosis. Based on watching/reading this person’s blog, you will write up a clinical case report that includes important aspects of psychosocial history, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. Additional details are in Canvas.

GRADING

  • Exams (up to 50 points each)
  • Chapter Summaries (up to 20 points each)
  • Discussions (up to 20 points each)
  • Clinical Case Report Project (up to 90 points total)

A = 100-94%      B+ = <90-87%      C+ = 79-77%      D+ = 69-67%      F < 61%

A- = <94-90%      B = <87-83%      C = <77-74%      D = <67-64%

B- = <83-80%      C- = <74-70%      D- = <64-61%

Please note that Canvas provides an ESTIMATE of grades. Based on what has/has not been graded yet, Canvas may significantly over- or under-estimate your grade. For an accurate grade, please communicate with me regularly.

Course Outline

Course Progression

In total, you should complete 7 Learning Modules generally consisting of two chapters each over the summer session, which begins May 11th and ends June 28th. The completion of these Learning Modules is semi-self paced; however, to keep people on pace to complete the course effectively, there are due dates associated with the completion of the Learning Modules. Please note specific time of day as noted in Canvas, and deadlines and online Zoom sessions are based on the Mountain (Utah) time.

  • May 16th, Module 1 - Syllabus, History, and Theories should be completed.
  • May 23rd, Module 2 - Clinical Processes and Substance Abuse should be completed.
  • May 30th, Module 3 - Anxiety and PTSD should be completed.
  • June 6th, Module 4 - Mood Disorders and Suicide chapters should be completed.
  • June 13th, Module 5 - Eating Disorders and Schizophrenia should be completed.
  • June 20th, Module 6 - Personality Disorders should be completed.
  • June 28th, Module 7 - Age Related Disorders should be completed.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Assignments, Missed Quizzes, and Missed Exams: No late assignments, quizzes, exams, etc. will be accepted for points. Let me repeat this, No late assignments, quizzes, exams, etc. will be accepted for points. Deadlines will be made known within each Learning Module so you know when and what is due. The short timeframe of this course and complexity with an online format does not make it conducive to accepting late work.

AI Policy: As this course is designed to help YOU become more familiar with the concepts of psychological disorders and the context of societal trends and dynamics, the use of AI to generate written material is counterproductive and thus not permitted in this course.

Extra Credit Options

Often, students ask for extra credit opportunities. I am glad to give them when specifically requested, but consider them to be extra. That is, you can only complete extra credit if you have completed all credited assignments up to the time you ask for extra credit. This means that extra credit cannot be used to replace missed assignment, exams, etc. So, you may complete extra credit assignments if you are current on all of your assignments, and it is before June 26th.

Formatting: All assignments must be submitted via Canvas. I reserve the right to refuse to accept any assignments if a format issue is incorrect. DO NOT include your name, my name, the course, date, or any other filler info at the top of your assignments. All assignments in Canvas can simply have the assignment title on the top line, then begin the text of the assignment on the next line.

Course Communications: Please ensure that the email address you have registered with SUU is one that you check regularly. Canvas will be the primary method for communicating class events and for providing feedback.

Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE & CLASS PARTICIPATION

Class Format: This is an online, asynchronous course and will include discussion boards, assignments, and exams. The bulk of the information you learn in this course will come from the textbook, posted slides and discussions. Assignments and discussions are intended to help clarify your thinking about this information and to provide an opportunity for you to critically evaluate the concepts. More information about the discussion format and assignments will be given on the on the section below on Learning Modules. Questions and comments are welcomed and encouraged.

You will be tested on each chapter presented in the Learning Modules you complete. Since a large portion of your grade comes from your exam scores, you are encouraged to study diligently for these exams.

Virtual Participation Policy: You are expected to participate in this course. What that means in this context is that you are expected to spend time actively working on the Learning Modules (readings, assignments, and quizzes) each week. As you know, there is no specific meeting time for the class, but some students find it helpful to set aside a specific, regular time to work on course content. I will announce when I will be on Zoom to explain concepts, answer questions, or introduce ideas beyond the textbook. I encourage you to try and attend these online sessions live, but this is not required and recordings will be made available for you to review.

Course Fees

There are no course fees.  Please note this course has been enrolled in Inclusive Access for the textbooks.  Students may opt out of inclusive access.  Feel free to contact me for details.

Final Statement

Should you have any questions, feel free to ask in class, as you will often find that other students share the same questions.  However, any issues or questions that you feel uncomfortable bringing up in class, feel free to contact me after class or by phone or email.  Remember, I cannot help you unless you ask.  This class is, after all, for your benefit.  I would appreciate any constructive feedback on making this course more beneficial to you and future students.  

You, as a student, have full rights to confidentiality in your interactions with me, though there are some issues of which I am a mandated reporter (Title IX).  While I may discuss situations related to this class with fellow instructors and my supervisors for instructional purposes, I will not discuss any situations related to a specific individual without expressing consent of that individual.  

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.