JANET BACHANT'S PERSONAL WEB SITE

My office hours are Monday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. I am located in Room 530 at 325 Hudson Street. The best way to reach me is by email but if you wish to leave me a phone message please repeat your number twice.

This study explores the domain of abnormal psychology. Its objective is to provide students with an understanding of the primary concepts, issues and controversies in the field. Core concepts include the continuum between normal and abnormal experience, the importance of understanding context in defining and classifying abnormal behavior, the principle of multiple causality, the advantages and limitations of diagnosis, historical and cultural relativism in defining abnormality and the connection between mind and body. This study will examine how we define, classify and treat abnormality, and include study of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, sexual and gender disorders, eating disorder, dissociation disorders, personality disorders, stress and drug use.

TEXT: Hansell, J.H. and Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal Psychology. (2nd Ed.) New York: Wiley.

This study has a hybrid type of structure in that it integrates online resources and testing (quizzes on each chapter) with small group discussion. The advantage of this structure is that it allows for criterion learning – you can decide how well you want to do and take multiple quizzes on the material if you want to improve your grade. Your best score is the one that will count.

Students must obtain access to WileyPlus as part of this study. WileyPlus is packaged with new textbook purchases (http://www.esc.edu/bookstore -- Course # 001275, ISBN: 0471728721; ISBN: 9780470073872 for the 2nd Edition, or can be purchased for an additional price with used textbooks. Students also have the option to purchase the online version of the textbook (no hard copy) with WileyPlus for 60% off the the price of the textbook.

To purchase the online version of the text go to
www.wiley.com/college/buywileyplus

YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE FOR THIS STUDY GROUP IN ORDER TO GET CREDIT FOR IT AND IN ORDER TO TAKE THE QUIZZES . Register as soon as possible at:

http://edugen.wiley.com/edugen/class/cls26436/ for the 1st Edition
http://edugen.wiley.com/edugen/class/cls78218/ for the 2nd Edition

All students must be registered by the second meeting. When asked to pick your college choose SUNY Empire State College.

EVALUATION: Your evaluation will be based on three criteria:

• Weekly quizzes that you will take each week, online (I am instituting criterion learning for this study group which means that you will be able to take multiple quizzes on each chapter, in addition to a self test which will not count. I will record the highest grade for each quiz. I will also know if you are taking the quizzes on time or late.)
• Active participation in group discussion of the issues involved in each chapter demonstrating that you have read and understand the material. Please understand that this involves more than talking about personal examples of people you know (never yourself of course!) whose behavior is abnormal.
• Presentation of a project to the study group involving a more in-depth exploration of a topic in abnormal psychology that is of interest to you. These presentations will be given during the last month and MUST include handouts to your colleagues of references, websites, media resources, etc. that will be helpful to anyone wanting to pursue further learning in your topic area.

Quizzes are located on the WileyPlus site. In order to enter this site you will need an access code purchased through the bookstore or directly from Wiley at the link noted above. Begin by registering and then go to Assignments. Be sure to do Assignment 0, An Introduction to WileyPlus . Go to the First Day of Class http://www.wileyplus.com/studentfdoc/ and work through the covered areas including an overview of getting started, completing your assignments, tracking your progress, taking advantage of instant feedback and getting technical support. Please listen to the two minute tutorials. They are most helpful.

Wileyplus gives you access to many resources including self tests, flashcards, and references. Using these resources will substantially increase your grade.

You will need to read Chapters 1 and complete the online Assignment 0, (An Introduction to Wileyplus) BEFORE the beginning of the second study group meeting.