AMH 202: Origins of Mental Illness

Fall, 2022 MOD 2

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor: David Reyher, MSW, CAADC

Email: david.reyher@alvernia.edu
(Email is my preferred method of contact: I will typically respond within 24 hours)
Office Phone: 610-796-8318
Office Hours: Virtual by Appointment. Please contact Instructor
Zoom Access Code:363 586 9462

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of mental illness and psychiatric
disorders. Particular emphasis will be placed on investigation of the etiological factors of
mental illness, as well as the common protocols used in their treatment. Students will
receive a comprehensive perspective on: anxiety disorders, mood disorders, disorders of
childhood and adolescence, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-
compulsive disorders, and other disorders related to the field of mental health treatment.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Define mental illness and explain the major characteristics and perspectives for
understanding mental illness
2. Summarize the historical conceptualizations of mental disorders and their treatment
3. Describe the biological, social, and developmental etiological influences on mental
disorders
4. Identify the methods of assessment, diagnosis and classification of mental disorders
5. Identify the diagnostic criteria, symptoms, prevalence and course of mental disorders
6. Describe the current approaches and medications used to treat mental disorders

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

Ray, W.J. (2021) Abnormal Psychology: Neuroscience Perspectives on Human Behavior

and Experience, 3rd ed. Sage Publications. ISBN: 9781544399201

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain all required course materials in a timely

manner in order to meet assignment due dates. Failure to do so does not entitle the
student to due date extensions or waiver of deductions for late submissions.

COURSE FORMAT
This course is designed as a seven (7) week long format 100% online instruction via
Blackboard™ for a total of 42 hours of instruction (14 hours per credit).

Syllabus Page 1 of 4
ACADEMIC HONESTY
It is the responsibility of each student to adhere to the University’s Academic Honesty Policy,
as outlined in the Undergraduate Student Handbook. https://www.alvernia.edu/current-
students/student-handbook. Breaches of academic honesty will result in a zero on the
assignment in question and may also result in a course grade of “F”. It is the student’s
responsibility to read and understand the policy; failure to do so does not excuse students
from adhering to the policy. Breaches of honesty include (but are not limited to):
• cheating on assignments or examinations;
• plagiarizing, which means copying any part of another’s work and/or using ideas of
another and presenting them as one’s own without giving proper credit to the source;
• selling, purchasing, or exchanging of course assignments;
• falsifying of information;
• using your own work from one class to fulfill the assignment for another class;
• facilitating the dishonesty of another student, including collaborating on tests

COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Materials used in conjunction with this course may be subject to copyright protection under
Title 17 of the United States Code. Under certain Fair Use circumstances specified by law,
copies may be made for private study, scholarship, or research. Electronic copies should not
be shared with unauthorized users. If a user fails to comply with Fair Use restrictions, he/she
may be liable for copyright infringement. For more information, see the Alvernia University
Copyright and Fair Use Policy: https://alvernia.libguides.com/c.php?g=22381&p=132043

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities
Act (“ADA”), the University offers accommodations to students with documented learning,
physical and/or psychological disabilities. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the
Director of Accessibility Services, preferably prior to the beginning of the semester, to initiate
the accommodation process. Once accommodations are granted, it is the students’
responsibility to provide each professor with their letter of accommodation and have a
discussion with their professor about these accommodations so they can be implemented as
quickly as possible. Students needing assistance should contact the Accessibility Services
Office in BH 105c (inside the Academic Success Center), for an intake meeting. Please
contact Darla Timberlake by phone (610.568.1499), fax (484-335-4486), or e-mail @
accessibility.services@alvernia.edu. Please note, accommodations are not retroactive.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER

The Academic Success Center (ASC) offers advising services, disability services, course-
specific tutoring, writing support, academic skills coaching, and Supplemental Instruction for
select courses. Students are encouraged to access writing support throughout the semester
to help build a strong foundation for writing in all courses. Writing tutors will work with
students at any stage of the writing process, from developing and organizing ideas to
revising and editing drafts. The ASC is located in the Bernardine Hall 105. For general ASC
inquires, call 610-796-8263. To schedule tutoring appointments, call 610-568-1494 or email
academic.support@alvernia.edu. Students can also make tutoring appointments through
an online appointment system at https://alvernia.mywconline.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ETHICAL USE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Alvernia community adheres to ethical use of technology at all times. It is the student’s
responsibility to check Alvernia email and Blackboard accounts on a regular basis. Important
information may be communicated by Alvernia faculty or staff through these means. Failure
to check these accounts are not an acceptable excuse for missing important information or
deadlines that may be communicated by faculty or staff of Alvernia University.

AMH 202 Syllabus Page 2 of 4

SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS AND LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY
All assignments should be submitted via the assignment upload on Blackboard™. The
following file types are permitted: .doc, .rtf or .pdf files. Students are encouraged to save an
electronic copy of all assignments in the event of a problem with Blackboard™ submission.

Students will not receive credit if they submit the wrong assignment, a blank or corrupted
document, or any other type of submission which the instructor is unable to open or access.
Students are responsible for ensuring the successful submission of correct and complete
assignments on a timely basis. Assignments are due on the dates specified by 11:59pm
Eastern time. Blackboard clock time will be used to determine submission times.

Assignments submitted late will be subject to a loss of 15% points per calendar day.
Assignments submitted more than one week beyond the due date will not be
accepted and will receive a grade of zero (0). No assignment will be accepted after
11:59pm on the final date indicated (Saturday, December 3, 2022).

Students who may have valid and unavoidable circumstances which limit or interfere with
their course progress (such as hospitalization) are responsible for communicating with the
instructor in a proactive and timely manner. Documentation may be required.

METHODS OF EVALUATION
Accumulated points will be converted to a percentage and a final letter grade determined
using the following undergraduate grading scale (Grades will NOT be curved):

Letter Scale Letter Scale Letter Scale

A 94-100% B- 80-82% D+ 67-69%
A- 90-93% C+ 77-79% D 63-66%
B+ 87-89% C 73-76% D- 60-62%
B 83-86% C- 70-72% F < 60%

Due Weekly by Points Total

Lesson Activities/Assignments #
Midnight on Per Points
Post: Wednesdays
Discussion Questions 7 35 245
Replies: Fridays
Quizzes 7 Fridays 15 105
Homework Assignments 7 Saturdays 50 350
Total Points 700

Discussions: Discussions should demonstrate critical thinking and insight and must be at
least 150 words in length sufficient to address questions in some depth. Initial discussion
posts are due by 11:59pm on Wednesday of each week. You must also comment
meaningfully on at least two other classmates’ posts (not just “good point”) by 11:59pm on
Friday of each week. (See Course Schedule and Calendar)
Quizzes: There are seven (7) weekly quizzes consisting of 15 multiple choice questions
related to the weekly learning objectives. Complete the self-grading quiz by 11:59pm on
Friday each week. (See Course Schedule and Calendar)
Homework Assignments: Assignments should demonstrate critical thinking and insight and
must answer each question comprehensively and in depth (1-2 paragraphs or more per
question). Assignments are due by 11:59pm on Saturday of each week. (See Course
Schedule and Calendar)

AMH 202 Syllabus Page 3 of 4

COURSE SCHEDULE AND CALENDAR
Students are expected to read complete assignments according to the timeline listed below.
This schedule may be changed by the instructor as necessary and appropriate.

DATE MATERIAL COVERED/DUE CHAPTERS

 An Overview of Psychotherapy and Changing
Lesson #1 1
Conceptualizations of Mental Illness
Weds. 10/19/22  Discussion Topic #1 Initial Post Due
Fri.10/21/22  Quiz #1 Due
Fri. 10/21/22  Discussion Peer Replies (2 or more) Due
Sat. 10/22/22  Homework Assignment #1 Due
 Neuroscience Approaches to Understanding Mental Illness
Lesson #2 2, 4
 Assessment and Classification of Psychological Disorders
Weds. 10/26/22  Discussion Topic #2 Initial Post Due
Fri.10/28/22  Quiz #2 Due
Fri. 10/28/22  Discussion Peer Replies (2 or more) Due
Sat. 10/29/22  Homework Assignment #2 Due
 Disorders of Childhood
Lesson #3 5, 13
 Schizophrenia
Weds.11/2/22  Discussion Topic #3 Initial Post Due
Fri.11/4/22  Quiz #3 Due
Fri. 11/4/22  Discussion Peer Replies (2 or more) Due
Sat. 11/5/22  Homework Assignment #3 Due
Lesson #4  Mood Disorders and Suicide 6
Weds.11/9/22  Discussion Topic #4 Initial Post Due
Fri.11/11/22  Quiz #4 Due
Fri. 11/11/22  Discussion Peer Replies (2 or more) Due
Sat. 11/12/22  Homework Assignment #4 Due
 Stress, Trauma and Psychopathology
Lesson #5 7, 8
 Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Weds.11/16/22  Discussion Topic #5 Initial Post Due
Fri.11/18/22  Quiz #5 Due
Fri. 11/18/22  Discussion Peer Replies (2 or more) Due
Sat. 11/19/22  Homework Assignment #5 Due
 Eating Disorders
Lesson #6 10, 12
 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Weds.11/23/22  Discussion Topic #6 Initial Post Due
Fri.11/25/22  Quiz #6 Due
Fri. 11/25/22  Discussion Peer Replies (2 or more) Due
Sat. 11/26/22  Homework Assignment #6 Due
Lesson #7  Personality Disorders 14
Weds.11/30/22  Discussion Topic #7 Initial Post Due
Fri.12/2/22  Quiz #7 Due
Fri. 12/2/22  Discussion Peer Replies (2 or more) Due
Sat. 12/3/22  Homework Assignment #7 Due
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AMH 202 Syllabus Page 4 of 4