PSYCH 221
Psychopathology
Spring 2024
Instructor Stephen Politis
Email stephenpolitis@gmail.com
Office Hour Zoom via appointment
Meeting Time Saturdays 9:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Meeting Place Science C203
Section PSYCH 221-SAT1
Course Code 34859
Course Description
A critical survey and analysis of the field of psychopathology - symptoms, causes, and
treatments - with special emphasis upon the interrelationships between physiological,
psychological, and sociological factors.
Course Objectives
To provide students with: 1) an understanding of the major research paradigms used to study
psychopathology; 2) an appreciation of the interactive influences of genes and environment as
contributors to abnormal psychology; 3) an understanding of how both biological and social
factors contribute to the emergence of psychopathology; 4) knowledge regarding hypothesized
etiological (causal) factors and clinical phenomenology (i.e., patterns of symptoms and
behaviors) associated with a wide range of psychological disorders; and 5) knowledge regarding
common treatments for psychopathology.
Recommended Texts
1. Beidel, Deborah, Bulik, Cynthia, & Stanley (2016). Abnormal Psychology, 4th Ed.
ISBN-13: 9780134238944 / ISBN-10: 9780134238944
2. Nevid, Rathus, & Greene (2018). Abnormal Psychology in a Changing World, 11th Ed.
ISBN-13: 9780134238944 / IBN-10: 9780134238944
Class Material
Lecture slides will be posted on Blackboard prior to each exam. You are responsible for material
presented in class during the lectures and on the PowerPoint slides.
Exams
There will be two exams consisting of roughly 50 multiple-choice questions designed to test your
understanding of the material presented in the slides and during class lectures.
