GRADING

Grades for the course Abnormal Psychology will be based on five equally weighted components:
I. One of the following kinds of paper (13 pages):
A. an original theory on a topic in abnormal psychology,

B. a critical review of the literature on an abnormal psychology research program.

II. Peer feedback of the following kinds:

A. two peer reviews of submitted student papers (1 page each),

B. two peer commentaries on accepted student papers (2 pages each).

C. participation in the student discussion forum (at least one post per week).

D. extra-credit: a summary of an article to be read to the class during the following class period.

III. A first midterm exam on all materials covered up to anxiety disorders.

IV. A (non-cumulative) second midterm exam on all materials covered after the first midterm exam.

V. A (non-cumulative) final exam on all materials covered after the second midterm exam.

 

Paper

This course is meant to help you think critically and creatively about the science of abnormal psychology. As discussed in the prospectus, one method of doing this is for you to capture your ideas in writing. You will write not only for yourself, the instructor, and your peers, but also for persons worldwide with an interest in individual differences. The Great Ideas in Personality website (visited over 13,000 times per month) provides a publication outlet for high quality contributions by you and your peers. This opportunity for disseminating your ideas is meant to add motivation: your thoughts about abnormal psychology can now become the focus of likeminded persons around the world.

Theory Paper. A theory paper is meant to emphasize the creative aspect of the course. You are to create an original theory of a disorder that (a) takes account of existing research and (b) has testable consequences. The paper should be at least 13 double-spaced pages in length and should be in APA style, including a title page, abstract, headings, and references.

Your paper will be subjected to peer review by other students, after which you will have a chance to revise it. When you turn it in, the instructor will grade it and will select the best papers for publication. Published papers will be raised by one third of a letter (typically from A to A+). They will then become the focus of peer commentaries by students in the class, and possibly also by contributors outside of class. The author of each published paper will then write an author response. Submission guidelines and several exemplary papers are available.

 
Review Paper. Whereas a theory paper emphasizes the creative aspect of the course, a review paper emphasizes the critical aspect. You are to write a critical review of the literature on a theory that has been the subject of vigorous scientific research. If you wish to write about a theory not discussed in class, you must obtain permission of the instructor, which will require that you show that a substantial amount of scientific research has already gone into testing the theory.

Your paper will be subjected to peer review with the possibility of publication. Published papers will be raised by one third of a letter (typically from A to A+). They will be subjected to peer commentary, and the author will write a response. Papers must follow APA style and must be at least 13 double-spaced pages in length. Writing advice is available.

Late papers will be accepted on the following basis. For each class period after the paper is due, one third of a letter will be deducted from the final paper grade. For example, if the paper is turned in on the first class period after it is due, and if the paper would have received a B, then the final paper grade will be a B-.

 

Peer Feedback

Peer feedback is an important source of mutual correction. Therefore, on both the rough draft and final draft of the papers, you will provide peer review and (for papers accepted for publication) peer commentary on the papers of your peers. Posts to the student discussion forum should be on the topic of individual differeces (i.e., either personality or abnormal psychology) rather than procedural questions about the course (e.g., when a particular assignment is due).

During each class period, the instructor will typically assign two students to write a summary for the following class period. Usually the articles will be based on readings that present opposite sides of the same issue. The summary should be two double-spaced pages in length, and each author will read his or her summary at the beginning of class and will field questions on it. The purpose of the summary is to raise questions for class discussion. Those students who write an acceptably good summary will be rewarded with a one-third letter increase in their peer feedback grade for the course; thus, a summary is also a potential source of extra-credit.

 

First Midterm Exam

The first midterm exam, made up primarily of multiple-choice questions, is meant to be a straightforward assessment of your knowledge of the lectures and textbook up to the chapter on Panic, Anxiety, and Their Disorders. The lectures are not necessarily intended to recapitulate what is found in the textbook but rather are intended to expound on features that the instructor finds salient. You are responsible for what is covered in both the lectures and the textbook. Therefore, the best policy is both to attend class regularly and to read the assigned materials.

You will be permitted to bring to the exam one 8.5- x 11-inch piece of paper containing notes on both sides. It is recommended that you fill this paper with alternative representations of knowledge. The only hitch is that you must leave your page of notes with the instructor after the exam, because I want to see what you have learned! In addition, I reserve the right to make use of these pages in future classes by distributing them or putting them on the web.

 

Second Midterm Exam

The second midterm exam, made up primarily of multiple-choice questions, is meant to be a straightforward assessment of your knowledge of the lectures and textbook after the first midterm exam. You are responsible for what is covered in both the lectures and the textbook.

You will be permitted to bring to the exam one 8.5- x 11-inch piece of paper containing notes on both sides. It is recommended that you fill this paper with alternative representations of knowledge. You must leave your page of notes with the instructor after the exam.

 

Final Exam

The final exam, made up primarily of multiple-choice questions, is meant to be a straightforward assessment of your knowledge of the lectures and textbook after the second midterm exam. You are responsible for what is covered in both the lectures and the textbook.

You will be permitted to bring to the exam one 8.5- x 11-inch piece of paper containing notes on both sides. It is recommended that you fill this paper with alternative representations of knowledge. You must leave your page of notes with the instructor after the exam.

 

Disabilities

I would appreciate hearing from anyone in this class who has a disability or any other kind of problem that might require special accommodations. I intend to make every effort to work with you to find a solutionn that is reasonable and that satisfies your needs. Please contact me after class, during my office hours, by email as soon as you can.

 

Last modified August 2003
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