Psychological Science: Psychopathology

Describing and defining abnormal behavior; models of etiology; research evidence for biological and social models; methods of intervention and prevention. Prerequisite: PSYS 1400.

Prereq: PSYS 1400; Asynchronous online

PSYS 170: Psychopathology introduces the scientific and clinical study of mental disorders. The course covers historical perspectives, current research, and professional practice in mental health. Topics include DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, causes of mental disorders, treatment approaches, mental health stigma, and professional ethics in clinical psychology. By the end of the course, students will be able to: • understand how mental disorders differ from typical psychological functioning; • identify and distinguish major categories of mental disorders; • explain diagnostic methods and the role of the DSM-5; • describe major treatment approaches and evaluate their effectiveness; • analyze case studies using critical and professional judgment; and • understand ethical standards in clinical practice. Student feedback from previous online courses: “Professor Cepeda-Benito responded quickly to questions, and the course technology was easy to use.” “The online format was straightforward, and the instructor was very informative and supportive.” “Well organized, easy to navigate, and very manageable.” “Very knowledgeable and easy to work with.”

This course follows a structured schedule aligned with the Comer textbook and its online platform. Students complete assigned readings, participate in blog discussions, and complete several types of assessments, including Learning Curves, video activities, online quizzes, and Clinical Choices. Assignments are due by 11:59 pm on scheduled days, and meeting deadlines is strongly encouraged to support steady progress. I have taught online courses for eight years, and students consistently report that this structure helps them stay on track and earn strong grades. They also appreciate that the online materials are easy to use, the assignments prepare them well for quizzes, and the format allows them to work at their own pace and take quizzes when they feel ready.

Grades will be based on several components (percentages may change slightly as the course is revised): • Learning Curves, Video Activities: 20% • Online Quizzes: 50% (up to three attempts) • Clinical Choices: 15% (graded on effort and completeness) • Engagement: 15% (weekly self-reflection blogs and comments on peers' blogs) This grading structure emphasizes steady effort and active participation while spreading points across many assignments. As a result, no single assignment carries excessive weight, and a poor performance on one task is unlikely to significantly affect your final grade.