Psychology 330: Abnormal Psychology
Fall, 2004

    • Professor:
    • Office:
    • Phone:
    • E-mail:
    • Dr. Derek Hopko
    • 3O1-D Austin Peay Building
    • 974-3368
    • Click here to e-mail
    • Section:
    • Class Time:
    • Classroom:
    • Office Hours:
    • 76425
    • 3:40 - 4:55 T, TH
    • WLS 309
    • M (1:30 - 2:30) TH (2:00-3:00)

Office Hours

Please note that you are free to stop by my office whenever you have questions. I cannot guarantee that I will be able to meet with you when you stop by, however, unless it is during the scheduled office hours. E-mail is the most efficient way to get in touch with me and I will respond to your message as soon as possible.

Course Objectives

Everyone has certain ideas about the concept of abnormal behavior. Although some of these perceptions may be accurate, others may be only partially correct or in many cases, blatantly incorrect. The goal of teaching you the material in abnormal psychology is to provide you with empirically valid information regarding the causes, characteristics, assessment, and treatment of a variety of behavioral, emotional, psychotic, and developmental disorders. You will find that the etiological and maintaining factors of mental disorders are quite complex in that they are based on a variety of factors and are conceptualized from quite diverse theoretical paradigms. These differing theoretical perspectives on psychopathology influence the manner in which mental disorders are assessed and subsequently treated. In taking the course, my ultimate hope is that you will develop a solid knowledge base in abnormal psychology and that some of you will find the material interesting enough to pursue a career in psychology, conducting research and/or treating individuals that present with psychological problems.

Textbook

Durand, V. M., & Barlow, D. H. (2003). Essentials of Abnormal Psychology (3rd Ed.). California: Thomson Wadsworth.

Assessment

You will have four examinations. The date for each exam is provided on the ¡§Course Schedule.¡¨ Each of the four examinations will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. Each question will be worth 2.0 points, for a total of 100 points per exam. The topics covered on each exam are outlined on the course schedule. You are responsible for knowing the material in the chapters as well as the material I present in lectures (which often is not the same). It is imperative that you bring a Scantron form and a #2 pencil for each exam. If you do not bring these two items, you may be unable to take the exam. Scantron forms can be purchased at the university bookstore. You will need to purchase the small Scantron.
** You will not receive a grade for an exam unless you record your official name and social security number correctly and clearly.

Distribution of Points:

Grading Scale:

Course Policies

Make-up Examinations: In all but extreme circumstances, make-up exams will not be given. Extreme circumstances may include the death of an immediate family member or an athlete or performer being absent from an exam due to commitments with the university. If you are unable to take any of the examinations and want to take a make-up exam, I require documentation. Remember that you are not automatically eligible to take a make-up exam simply because you showed me some documentation. Ultimately it is my sole decision as to whether or not I will give you a make-up exam. Also, I have a habit of developing make-up exams that are more difficult than the primary exam (sometimes essay-based). Accordingly, my best advice is to do everything in your power to take exams as scheduled.

According to (UT) policy, Final exams must be given during the final exam period at the scheduled time. The schedule for your finals is printed in the Fall Timetable. The instructor may designate alternative uses of the scheduled exam period, but final exams may not be scheduled at alternative times. Plan to be there! Waivers of this policy or alternative schedules for examinations may be approved upon petition from the Dean to the Provost.

Grade: I assign only one grade - your course grade at the end of the semester. I do not assign letter grades for individual examinations. I encourage you to keep track of your points on the above table so you know where you stand in the course.

Posting Exam Scores: Exam scores will be posted on the Blackboard system. You can access this system through www.online.utk.edu. If you require assistance with this system, please contact the DII student helpdesk at Aconda Court (974-9900) or helpdesk@utk.edu . Exam scores will be available no later than one week after the exam. If you think there is an error in your score, or if your score is not posted, come see me immediately. Do not wait until the end of the semester! If we cannot locate your exam, you will not receive points for the exam.

Punctuality: Punctual arrival to class meetings is strongly encouraged. Late arrivals divert the attention of students who are already in class, not to mention the distractions to me as I present the lecture.

Attendance: Although I do not officially take attendance, I expect all students to attend class on a regular basis. To verify that you are attending class, I present many questions on examinations that are not covered in your textbook. In previous courses, students who do not attend generally do much poorer (even if they skip class and get notes from another student). Attendance also is a good idea as I will intermittently provide a bonus point for all students in class (a total of 6-8 times).

Cell-Phone Points: Cell phones are a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Turn them off before class! Every time your phone goes off in class you will lose 2 ATTENDANCE POINTS (and yes, you can go "in the hole").

Lectures: A significant proportion of examination questions come directly from my lectures. As I tend to present a lot of information in my lectures, I am using the Blackboard system to facilitate your taking comprehensive notes. Lecture Outlines will be available @ 5:00 P.M (at the latest) on the day before the lecture. You may print out the slides to help you stay on track during lectures.

Classroom Behavior: I expect students to behave like mature adults during class. Repeated occurrence of disruptive behavior might result in a student being asked to discontinue the course. Disruptive behaviors include, but are not limited to, talking, reading a newspaper, or in general, any act or occurrence (e.g., cell phone ringing) that distracts or disturbs other students and/or the instructor.

Entering and Exiting the Classroom during an Exam: Please show up punctually for an exam. You will not be allowed to take the exam if you arrive after any of the students has turned in the exam and left the classroom. If you do leave the classroom during an exam, I will not allow you to return. Make sure you use the restroom before the exam, because I will disallow any student to leave the room on that pretext.

Unexpected Class Cancellation: If a class is cancelled for whatever reason, and if it happens to be an exam day, then the exam will be held during the next class meeting.

Cheating: Any student who is caught cheating on an exam will be asked to leave the classroom and also will be reported to the university for disciplinary action (in addition to receiving a zero on that exam). I strongly encourage all students to read the Honor Statement in the UT Undergraduate Catalog.

Student Disability: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a documented disability or if you have emergency information to share, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 191 Hoskins Library or 974-6087. This will ensure that you are properly registered for services.

Course Schedule