Kim Fromme

This lecture course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the process of braindevelopment from embryogenesis through adulthood with emphasis on the role of the environment in directing this process. Initial lectures will focus on the origins of the central nervous system, including topics such as the organization of the brain, neurogenesis, cellular differentiation, migration and targeting of neurons, synapse formation and refinement of the nervous system. In the second half of the course, lectures will focus on the infant brain and the role of experiences during infancy in modifying brain function. Topics will also include recent advances in our understanding of the role of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic programming and shaping brain development. Finally, the adaptive vs. maladaptive outcomes of environmental modifications to the nervous system will be discussed. Throughout the course, students will be guided through examples of how changes in the developing nervous system lead to behavioral patterns both in infancy and adulthood.

This lecture course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the process of braindevelopment from embryogenesis through adulthood with emphasis on the role of the environment in directing this process. Initial lectures will focus on the origins of the central nervous system, including topics such as the organization of the brain, neurogenesis, cellular differentiation, migration and targeting of neurons, synapse formation and refinement of the nervous system. In the second half of the course, lectures will focus on the infant brain and the role of experiences during infancy in modifying brain function. Topics will also include recent advances in our understanding of the role of gene-environment interactions and epigenetic programming and shaping brain development. Finally, the adaptive vs. maladaptive outcomes of environmental modifications to the nervous system will be discussed. Throughout the course, students will be guided through examples of how changes in the developing nervous system lead to behavioral patterns both in infancy and adulthood.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Clinical interviewing with adults. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of practicum a week for one semester. Lecture portion is graded and practicum portion is offered on the credit/no credit basis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Clinical interviewing with adults. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of practicum a week for one semester. Lecture portion is graded and practicum portion is offered on the credit/no credit basis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

Clinical interviewing with adults. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of practicum a week for one semester. Lecture portion is graded and practicum portion is offered on the credit/no credit basis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

Clinical interviewing with adults. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of practicum a week for one semester. Lecture portion is graded and practicum portion is offered on the credit/no credit basis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Clinical interviewing with adults. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of practicum a week for one semester. Lecture portion is graded and practicum portion is offered on the credit/no credit basis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

Your overall grade will be based on three exam scores. Exams I and III will each count 30% of your overall grade and Exam II will count 40%. Questions about the grading of an exam must be raised during office hours in the week immediately following receipt of that grade. Scores of 93-100 = A, 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 70-72 = C-; 67-69 = D+; 63-66 = D; 60-62 = D-; less than 60 = F. Under no circumstances will additional points be given (even if you are just below a cut-off point).

Clinical interviewing with adults. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of practicum a week for one semester. Lecture portion is graded and practicum portion is offered on the credit/no credit basis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

A total of three (3) exams will be given during the regular semester and an optional, cumulative final exam will be offered during the final exam period. Each exam will be worth 100 points and will consist of multiple choice, matching, or true/false questions. Each of the 3 regular exams will cover all of the readings assigned and all the lecture and film materials presented since the previous exam. The optional final exam will include material that is covered throughout the semester. Approximately half of all exam questions will be taken from lecture and films and half from the text. Exams will not be returned, but you may review your exam during the TA or Professor’s office hours. Please notify the TA in advance, so we can locate your exam.

Clinical interviewing with adults and children. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of observation a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

Prerequisites

Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, Psychology 418 or an equivalent statistics course with a grade of at least C, and upper division standing.

Course Description

This course takes a multidimensional approach to understanding psychological disorders. Within the constraints of a large lecture course, I invite questions and discussion, use demonstrations, and provide case examples to bring to life the range of psychological disorders people experience. In addition to learning about these disorders and their treatment, I hope students will empathize with the people who suffer from them. I encourage students to apply rather than simply memorize what they learn, and to be active participants rather than passive recipients in the classroom.

Grading Policy

Exams: 3, objective (multiple choice and true/false) There is now an optional comprehensive final exam that can be used to replace any missed exam or can be used to replace the student's lowest exam grade. Because of the optional final, there are no make up exams (for the first 3 regular exams) given under any circumstances.

Texts

Final determination of text is pending.

Clinical interviewing with adults and children. Observation and feedback for test administration and clinical skills. Three lecture hours and three hours of observation a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Psychology 389K, and consent of instructor received prior to registering.

            ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY, PSY 352

            Fall 2009; MWF 11 a.m.; NOA 1.126

PROFESSOR:  Dr. K. Fromme

            Office, phone, and email: 3.242 Seay Bldg.; 471-0039; fromme@psy.utexas.edu (please note that it is against UT regulations to discuss grades via phone or email)

            Office hours: MWF 10 - 10:50 a.m.

TEACHING ASSISTANT:  Rachel Berman

            Office and email: 2.318 Seay Bldg; rachel.berman@mail.utexas.edu

            Office hours:  Tuesdays 2-5 pm

TEXT: Durand, V.M. & Barlow, D.H. (2005).  Essentials of Abnormal Psychology. 5th Edition. Thompson

[NOTE: This text differs from Barlow & Durand, Abnormal Psychology]. 

PREREQUISITES: The Psychology Dept. will drop students who do not meet the following prerequisites: (1) PSY 301 and PSY 418 (or equivalent listed in course schedule) with a C or better, and (2) upper division standing (60 hours completed).  Dropped students will be notified by the 12^th class day.

EXAMS:  A total of three (3) exams will be given during the regular semester and an optional, cumulative final exam will be offered during the final exam period.  Each exam will be worth 100 points and will consist of multiple choice, matching, or true/false questions.  Each of the 3 regular exams will cover all of the readings assigned and all the lecture and film materials presented since the previous exam. The optional final exam will include material that is covered throughout the semester. Approximately half of all exam questions will be taken from lecture and films and half from the text.  Exams will not be returned, but you may review your exam during the TA or Professor’s office hours. Please notify the TA in advance, so we can locate your exam.  

            No makeup exams will be given.  Absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS will be made under any circumstances (really!). The optional final exam can be substituted for one missed regular exam or used to replace your lowest regular exam grade. See additional information about the final exam in the last paragraph on the back of this syllabus.

            GRADING: Your overall grade will be based on three exam scores.  Exams I and III will each count 30% of your overall grade and Exam II will count 40%. Questions about the grading of an exam must be raised during office hours in the week immediately following receipt of that grade. UT has switched to the plus/minus system: Scores of 93-100 = A+, 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 70-72 = C-; 67-69 = D+; 63-66 = D; 60-62 = D-; Less than 60 = F.  Under no circumstances will additional points be given (e.g., if you are just below a cut-off point). 

DROPPING:  Any time before taking the first midterm you may drop the course with a Q grade.  After that time you may drop with a Q only if your performance up to that time is C or better; otherwise you drop with a grade of F.

DISABILITIES:  Upon request, UT Austin provides appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities (contact: Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259; 471-4641 TTY). If special accommodations are needed for exams, the student must notify the TA at least two weeks before the exam and provide documentation from the Dean of Students’ Office.

TIPS FOR EARNING YOUR BEST GRADE:

            a) Keep up with the readings - not all exam material will be covered during lecture.

            b) Come to class - some exam material will only be covered in class.

            c) If you need help, don't wait until exam time - use office hours!

SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY TOPICS AND READINGS

DATE                                     TOPIC                                                                        WEEKLY READINGS

August 26 & 28            What is abnormal behavior?

                                    An historical context                                                            Chapter  1

Aug. 31 - Sept. 4            Current approaches & Intro to assessment                         Chapter  2

Sept. 7                                    Labor Day Holiday

Sept. 9& 11                        Clinical assessment and diagnosis                                    Chapter  3, pages 71-92

Sept. 14-18                        Treatment effectiveness and research                         Chapter  3, pages 92-113

                                    Methods                                                                        Chapter 14, pages 576-579

Sept. 21 & 23                        Physical disorders and health psychology                        Chapter  7

Sept. 25                        Exam I

Sept. 28 – Oct. 2            Anxiety disorders                                                            Chapter  4

Oct. 5-9                        Substance-related and impulse-control disorders            Chapter 10

Oct. 12-16                        Sexual and gender identity disorders                                    Chapter  9

Oct. 19-23                        Mood disorders                                                            Chapter  6

Oct.26-30            Developmental and cognitive disorders                        Chapter 13

Nov. 2            Exam II

Nov 4 & 6                        Eating and sleep disorders                                                Chapter  8

Nov. 9-13               Personality disorders                                                            Chapter 11

Nov. 16- 20                        Somatoform & dissociative disorders                                    Chapter  5 

Nov. 23 & 25                        Schizophrenia            and other psychotic disorders                        Chapter 12

Nov. 27                        Thanksgiving Holiday

Dec. 30 & Dec. 5            Legal and ethical issues                                                Chapter 14

Dec. 4                                    Exam III

OPTIONAL FINAL EXAM: This cumulative final exam will be held on Wednesday, December 9^th at 7 pm.  No early final exams will be given and late exams will be given only in cases of medical, psychiatric, or family emergencies (documented in writing in advance of the final exam make up). 

Observation and feedback of test administration, clinical skills, and report writing; discussion of ethical issues pertaining to clinical interviewing and testing. Three lecture hours and three hours of observation a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and Psychology 389K.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Seminars in Clinical Psychology. One or three lecture hours a wekk for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Seminars in Clinical Psychology. One or three lecture hours a wekk for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Seminars in Clinical Psychology. One or three lecture hours a wekk for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Seminars in Clinical Psychology. One or three lecture hours a wekk for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Seminars in Clinical Psychology. One or three lecture hours a wekk for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Biological and social factors in the development and treatment of psychopathology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For psychology majors, upper-division standing and Psychology 301 and 418 with a grade of at least C in each; for nonmajors, upper-division standing, Psychology 301 with a grade of at least C, and one of the following with a grade of at least C: Biology 318M, Civil Engineering 311S, Economics 329, Educational Psychology 371, Electrical Engineering 351K, Government 350K, Mathematics 316, 362K, Mechanical Engineering 335, Psychology 317, Sociology 317L, Social Work 318, Statistics 309, Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 318.

Seminars in Clinical Psychology. One or three lecture hours a wekk for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Seminars in Clinical Psychology. One or three lecture hours a wekk for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.