Brokenshire College

Madapo, Davao City

COURSE SYLLABUS
Psych 109: Abnormal Psychology

BC Life Purpose
Brokenshire College fulfills the Evangelical Christian Teaching Ministry of the Church.

BC Vision Statement
Brokenshire College is the leading learning and transforming Evangelical Christian institution enabling learners to make a difference in the
world.

BC Mission Statement
Brokenshire College is a learning institution engaged in the diffusion of knowledge through quality instruction, research and extension. It
leads a life of faith, learning and action that develops holistic individuals who are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community.
It manages wisely all resources to ensure sustainable growth of the institution and contributes to the realization of a just, free and responsible
social order.

Quality Policy
Brokenshire College is committed to provide value-oriented quality Christian education through continuous improvement and total
involvement for customer satisfaction.

Core Values

Excellence

Transformational
Justice Leadership
FAITH

Service Compassion

Integrity
Psychology Program Vision Statement
The Psychology department is a center of excellence providing globally competitive education, training and services in diverse applications
of Psychology.

Psychology Program Mission Statement

The Psychology department develops graduates who are competent, compassionate and ethical professionals to the practice of clinical,
counseling, industrial and social psychology towards personal and social transformation.

Psychology Program Goal

The Psychology program produces graduates with a solid knowledge and skills in psychology as well as in natural sciences.

Program Outcomes
After completing the program, graduates will be able to:
(Common to all programs in all types of school)
1. Engage in lifelong learning and understanding the need to keep abreast of the developments in the specific field of practice.
2. Effectively communicate orally and in writing using both English and Filipino
3. Work effectively and independently in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
4. Act in recognition of professional, social, and ethical responsibility
5. Preserve and promote “Filipino historical and cultural heritage”

(Common to a horizontal type – Professional Institute)

1. Demonstrate a service orientation in one’s profession.

(Common to the Discipline- Bachelor of Science in Psychology)

1. Demonstrate the capability to discuss and analyze the major theories and concepts in Psychology (Knowledge in Psychology).
2. Demonstrate and apply the methods of psychological inquiry in building knowledge on local culture and context (Psychological
Research).
3. Demonstrate and apply psychological theories and methods in personal and professional setting (Application of Psychology).
4. Demonstrate capability for self-reflection and independent learning in a graduate education or in a professional context (Independent
learning).
5. Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors in research and practice in Psychology (Ethics).
6. Demonstrate harmonious interpersonal relationship with colleagues, clients and others (Interpersonal Skills) in diverse cultural setting.
7. Demonstrate the ability to conduct psychological assessments and evaluation (psychological assessment).
Course Title Psych 111: Abnormal Psychology

Course Description An introductionto the nature, causes, and possible interventions of psychological disorders. The
students are expected to be familiar with the nomenclature and classifications of mental disorders, by the
end of the course. Indigenous concepts of abnormality and abnormal behavior will also be discussed.
Ethical considerations in abnormal psychology/clinical psychology are discussed.

Course Credits 3 units

Pre-requisite Psych 104: Personality

Contact Hours per Week 3 hours

Course Outcomes At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
Describe the different mental disorders according to current theoretical perspectives.
Apply the knowledge of the nature, etiology and possible interventions of psychological disorders to specific
cases of disorders.
Course Outline
Week Topics
Prelim
1 Orientation and Overview of the Course
Introduction to Abnormal Psychology

2 Neuroscience Approaches to Understanding Psychopathology

3 Research Methods in Abnormal Psychology

4 Assessment and Classification of Psychological Disorders

Midterm Neurodevelopmental Disorders
5
6 Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

7 Bipolar and Related Disorders

Depressive Disorders
 Anxiety Disorders
8
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Prefinal Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

9 Dissociative Disorders

10 Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

11 Feeding and Eating Disorders

Elimination Disorders
12
Sleep-Wake Disorders
Final Sexual Dysfunctions
13 Gender Dysphoria

14 Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

15 Personality Disorders

16 Paraphilic Disorders
 Learning Plan

COURSE
TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT
LEARNING OUTCOMES CONTENT/SUBJECT RESOURCES TIME TABLE
LEARNING ACTIVITIES TASK
MATTER
Prelim PRELIM
1.1 Describe the components of and Introduction to Weeks 1-5
key considerations of abnormality. Abnormal Psychology Lecture Discussion Quizzes Projector
1.2 Explain how evolution and culture
are relevant in understanding
psychopathology.
1.3 Summarize the historical Text Reading
influences on modern conceptions of
mental disorders.
1.4 Explain how discoveries about the Oral Test
brain contributed to an understanding
of psychopathology
1.5 Discuss past and present methods
of care for those with mental
disorders.
1.6 Describe the major present-day
empirical treatment perspectives.

2.1 Explain why neuroscience,

genetics, and an evolutionary Neuroscience Lecture Discussion
perspective are increasingly important Approaches to Quizzes Video Clip on
in understanding psychopathology. Understanding Neuroscience
2.2. Describe how information is Psychopathology Video Clip Viewing and
communicated within the human Abnormality
brain.
2.3 Describe the major techniques
used to view the human brain at work,
and their related ethical implications. Make a
2.4 Explain what brain networks are conceptual map
and how they influence human on neuroscience
behavior. and
2.5 Explain the function of genes, abnormality
epigenetics, and endophenotypes.
2.6 Ask critical questions about
psychopathology from an Research Methods in Lecture Discussion
evolutionary perspective. Abnormal Psychology

3.1 Describe the characteristics of the

scientific approach.
3.2 Describe the characteristics of the
nonexperimental methods of Quizzes
psychological research. Review of Researches in
3.3 Explain why the experimental Abnormal Psychology Sample
method is generally considered more Researches
reliable than nonexperimental
methods.
3.4 Identify other types of research
and considerations in studying Critical
abnormality Analysis of a
3.5 Discuss the ethical considerations Sample
that must be observed in performing Research
psychological research. Assessment and
Classification of Lecture Discussion Diagnostic and
4.1 Explain what the mental status Psychological Disorders Statistical
exam is and how it is used. Manual of
4.2 Identify cultural and other Mental
considerations used in the assessment Disorders
of psychological disorders Quizzes
4.3 Identify the tests and techniques
 used in assessing mental illness
4.4 Discuss the diagnostic
considerations in approaching
psychopathology.

4.5 Explain the significance of the

DSM-5tr in the classification of
mental disorders. Prelim Exam
Midterm
Midterm Weeks 6-10
5.1 Describe the characteristics of Neurodevelopmental Lecture discussion Quizzes
Intellectual Developmental Disorders, Disorders Diagnostic and
Communication Disorders, Autism Statistical
spectrum disorders, Attention- Manual of
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Video Clip Viewing Case Analysis Mental
Specific Learning Disorder and Motor Disorders
Disorders.
5.5 Discuss the causes and treatment Case Reviews
of autism spectrum disorders
5.6 Define ADHD and discuss its
prevalence, causes, and treatment
5.7 Describe the characteristics of
intellectual development disorder, its Lecture discussion
causes, and treatment.
Case Analysis
.
6. 1 Describe the prevalence of Schizophrenia Spectrum Video Clip Viewing Quizzes
schizophrenia and the time course of and Other Psychotic
its development. Disorders
6.2 Identify the positive and negative Case Reviews
symptoms of schizophrenia.
6.3 Discuss the historical and
evolutionary contexts of
schizophrenia.
6.4 Identify genetic and
environmental factors in the
development of schizophrenia.
6.5 Describe the brain changes seen in
individuals with schizophrenia.
6.6 Identify the treatments available
to individuals with schizophrenia.

7.1 Discuss the prevalence of mood Bipolar and Related Lecture discussion Case Analysis
disorders worldwide. Disorders
7.2 Describe the characteristics and
causes of major depressive disorder.
7.3 Discuss biological, neuroscience, Video Clip Viewing Quizzes
and psychological treatments for
major depressive disorder. Depressive Disorders
7.4 Identify the types and Case Reviews
characteristics of bipolar disorder.
7.5 Discuss the causes and treatment
of bipolar disorder,
7.6 Discuss the risk factors for
suicide, its prevention, and its
connection with mental illness.
8.1 Discuss the role of anxiety and its Anxiety Disorders Lecture discussion Case Analysis
disorders in human development.
8.2 Discuss the cognitive, Obsessive-Compulsive
neurobiological, and developmental and Related Disorders
aspects of anxiety. Video Clip Viewing
8.3 Distinguish among the major
anxiety disorders, their causes, and
treatment. Case Reviews
8.4 Distinguish among agoraphobia,
specific phobia, and panic disorder,
and describe their causes and
treatment.
8.5 Describe the characteristics of Midterm Exam
obsessive-compulsive disorders, its
causes, and treatment.
Prefinal

9.1 Explain how stress and trauma are Trauma- and Stressor-
related to health and Related Disorders Oral Reporting Quizzes Diagnostic and
psychopathology. Statistical
9.2 Identify the physiological Manual of
mechanisms involved in stress. Mental
9.3 Discuss major findings about fight Case Reviews Case Analysis Disorders
or flight and social versus physical
stress.
9.4 Describe the characteristics of
PTSD and other DSM-5 stress
disorders, causes, and treatment
10.1 Describe the characteristics of Dissociative Disorders Oral Reporting Quizzes
depersonalization/derealization
disorder. Case Analysis
10.2 Describe the characteristics of Discussion
dissociative amnesia.
10.3 Describe the characteristics of
dissociative identity disorder. Somatic Symptom and
10.4 Describe the characteristics of Related Disorders Case Reviews
somatic symptom disorder
10.5 Describe the characteristics of
illness anxiety disorder.
10.6 Describe the characteristics of
conversion disorder.
10.7 Describe the characteristics of
factitious disorder.
10.8 Identify the treatments available
to individuals with dissociative and
somatic symptom disorder

11.1 Describe the characteristics and

prevalence of the major feeding Feeding and Eating Oral Reporting Quizzes
disorders. Disorders
11.2 Discuss the factors that influence
obesity. Elimination Disorders Discussion
11.3 Discuss the impact of obesity
worldwide.
11.4 Describe the characteristics and Case Analysis
prevalence, and causes of anorexia Case Reviews
nervosa. Video Clip Viewing
11.5 Identify the treatments available
to individuals with anorexia nervosa.
11.6 Describe the characteristics and
prevalence, and causes of bulimia
nervosa.
11.7 Describe the characteristics of
binge eating disorder.

12.1 Describe the characteristics and Sleep-Wake Disorders Lecture-discussion Quizzes

prevalence of the Sleep-Wake
Disorders Case Analysis
12.2 Discuss the factors that influence
Sleep-Wake Disorders Video Clip Viewing

Prefinal

Final.

13.1 Discuss the scientific approach Sexual Dysfunctions Lecture discussion Quizzes
to human sexuality from a historical
perspective.
13.2 Summarize the major scientific Gender Dysphoria Group Activity
findings about human sexual desire, Output of group
arousal and response. activity
13.3 Distinguish among the sexual Video Clip Viewing
dysfunction disorders and treatments. Case Analysis
13.4 Distinguish among the paraphilic
dysfunction disorders and treatments.
13.5 Explain the difference between
sexual preference and sexual disorder Lecture discussion Quizzes
in the DSM-5
13.6 Discuss the development,
characteristics, and prevalence of
gender dysphoria.

14.1 Describe the characteristics and Disruptive, Impulse-

prevalence of the Disruptive, Control, and Conduct
Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
Disorders
14.2 Discuss the factors that influence
Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and
Conduct Disorders

15.1 Discuss the history and Substance-Related and Lecture discussion Quizzes
prevalence of drug use in the United Addictive Disorders
States/Phlippines.
15.2 Describe the characteristics of
substance abuse, dependence, and
addiction. Case Study
15.3 Discuss alcohol-related disorders
and alcohol’s effects on the human
body and brain.
15.4 Identify common hallucinogens
and their effects on the human body
and brain.
15.5 Identify common stimulants and
their effects on the human body and
brain.
15.6 Discuss gambling as an addictive
disorder.
15.7 Identify the treatments available
to individuals with substance-related
disorders.

16.1 Identify the personality Personality Disorders Lecture discussion Quizzes

disorders, personality traits, and the
characteristics of a healthy self.
16.2 Discuss the five-factor model in
relation to personality disorders. Essay
16.3 Distinguish among the anxious Role Playing
fearful personality disorders.
16.4 Distinguish among the antisocial,
borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic
personality disorders.
16.5 Distinguish among the anxious
fearful personality disorders.
16.6 Identify the treatments available
to individuals with personality
disorders

17.1 Identify the paraphilic disorders Paraphilic Disorders Lecture discussion Quizzes
17.2 Discuss the factors that influence
paraphilic disorders

Case Review

Final exam
Required Reading (textbook)
Ray, W.J. (2018). Abnormal Psychology 2nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publication Inc.
DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS FIFTH EDITION
TEXT REVISION American Psychiatric Association

Suggested Readings and Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2017). Abnormal Psychology 7th Ed.New York, NY:McGraw Hill Education.
References
Course Requirement 4 long exams
Quizzes
Case Reports
Oral Reports
Portfolio of Cases
Grading System Where, GE= grade equivalent; RS= raw score; TS= total score

The components of students’ grade for a particular grading period are long exam, quizzes and other course
requirements with the following weights:

Exams 40%
Quizzes 40%
Other Course Requirements 20%
100%

Final grade will be computed as an average of Prelim, Midterm, Prefinal and Final Grades.
Classroom Policy During classes, students are expected to be in the classroom on time. They should wear the school’s official
uniform and ID when attending classes. Refer to the student’s handbook for policies related to late entrance and
not wearing of uniforms.

Moreover, students are expected to listen attentively as well as participate actively in the classroom lectures/
discussions. With this, the teachers expect them to ask relevant questions, and share their ideas regarding the topic.
Making of unnecessary noise specially those that are not related to the class is discouraged. Wuth this, cellphones
 and other surrounding gadgets should be turned off or be set in silent mode during the class.

Students are expected to give their full attention to the instruction at hand, whether it be a mini lecture, online
reading or other modes of instructions. Playing games, surfing, browsing, opening of e-mails or other internet
activities not related to the instruction at hand are strictly forbidden while the class is going on.

During exams and quizzes, communicating in any form with any of their classmates is prohibited. The act of it
will be considered cheating. Any act of cheating will be reprimanded only once. If continued, the concerned
student will be asked to pass his/her paper and be advised to leave the room. In such case, only the answered items
will be checked.

Absence during exams and late submission of requirements:

Only those whose absence is excused will be given special exam or quiz. However, the special exam should be
taken within a week (7 days) after the examination date. Special quiz should be taken immediately on the day the
student reported in class.

Attendance:
Attendance will not be graded but will be checked. However, it is of the students’ advantage that they attend.

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

Sharrah Laine A. Alivio, RPm, MPsy Maricar C. Batiancila, MPsy Reynaldo B. Rojo, PhD
Faculty Member Academic Coordinator / Program Chairperson Dean, Arts & Sciences and Business Management