PSY 4344 CHILD PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

3 Credits 13938 001 LEC F 1:30-4:15 GR 4.204 Nezworski T

Pre-requisite: PSY -4334 Lifespan Development or
PSY -3310 Child Development

Instructor: Dr. Teresa Nezworski Fall, 2005

Office Phone and Voice Mail: 214-905-3033 Office: Callier A Bldg
Class Meeting: F 1:30- 4:15 pm Classroom: GR 4.204
Office Hours: F 11:15-12:00 pm Richardson Campus: GR 4.307
4:15- 5:00 pm
• and by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Jacie Schulman Phone Contact: 214-502-4325

Waiver of Pre-requisites
Students may participate in this class only if they have successfully completed PSY
4334 or PSY 3310 at UTD or if they receive a waiver of the pre-requisite course
requirement from the Instructor.

Course Description
This upper level lecture course on child psychopathology is designed to provide
students with an overview of the current theories of how psychopathology develops in
childhood, adolescence and beyond. Specific types of psychopathology manifest in the
childhood and adolescence will be considered including: Autistic Spectrum/PDD
Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disorder, Disruptive Disorders, Mood
Disorders, Anxiety Disorders. The themes of vulnerability and resilience will be
emphasized through consideration of biological factors, intrapersonal factors,
interpersonal contexts, and superordinate dimensions.

Course Objectives

1. Develop general understanding of key issues in the field of developmental

psychopathology including:
a. Alternative conceptualizations of emotional health and their implications
b. Rationale and limitations of DSM-IV TR
c. Strengths and weaknesses of the currently viable etiological theories
d. Strengths and weaknesses of the research methods commonly used
e. Influence of cultural values and politics on research activity
f. Strengths and weaknesses of major assessment strategies
g. Strengths and weaknesses of major intervention strategies.
h. Major risk, vulnerability, and protective factors
Course Objectives Continued

2. Develop in-depth knowledge regarding the disorders under consideration including:

a. Specific risk, vulnerability and protective factors influencing symptom

onset
b. Prevalence/Incidence rates
c. Varieties of symptom expression within and across individuals
d. Duration and course of symptom expression
e. Prognosis for improvement and recovery
f. Treatment options and limitations

3. Develop specific knowledge of the alternative ways adults can intervene and serve
as protective agents for children at risk for developing psychopathology including:

a. Nonprofessional volunteer opportunities

b. Masters Degree opportunities
c. Doctoral Degree opportunities

Successful Achievement
The successful student will make it a priority to complete the required reading prior to
the relevant lecture and attend every class meeting. During class we will cover material
discussed in the required reading and I will also present additional material. Attending class
is the only option for obtaining much of the information conveyed in this course. Many
lectures will include brief video clips to illustrate particular psychological disorders, and to
give us some common examples to discuss.

No lecture notes will be posted on the web, and no copies of study guides or other
instructional materials will be provided for students who do not attend. It is your
responsibility to obtain lecture notes, hand-outs, announcement information and other
missed material from a classmate. You are responsible for all information provided in class.
This includes any changes to the syllabus, exam time and format, etc.

I welcome your questions as I lecture, although at times I may need to minimize discussion
in order for us to cover the scheduled lecture content. Personal disclosures of any type are
discouraged in class (though I would be glad to discuss individual situations during office
hours).
Course Grading
Course Grading will be based on student performance on two examinations and student
attendance and level of participation in classroom learning activities.
The examinations will be composed of multiple choice items, short answer items and
essay questions.
Exam I = 400 points possible October 8
Final Exam= 400 points possible Dec 3
Attendance/Participation= 200 points possible (15 pts per class)
Overall Course=1,000 points possible
Attendance at the beginning and end of the class period will be worth 5 points each.
Timely completion of the assigned readings will be essential for effective class
participation and learning. Participation in classroom activities that encourage learning
will be worth 5 points per class. Points for participation will be awarded for showing
initiative in class discussion and activities, asking good questions, making comments
that are relevant to those of previous speakers and the discussion topic specified by the
instructor.

Missed Exam Policy

You must be present for exams.

If you might miss an exam, you must notify me prior to the exam date. If you wait to
contact me after the scheduled exam time, you will not be able to make up the exam.

Make up exams will be given only if you were seriously ill and have documentation from
a physician or
had another true emergency and provide acceptable documentation or
you made arrangements prior to the exam to attend an urgent family affair (funeral).
Students who miss an exam without following this policy will receive a 0 test score.

Course Grade A = 920-1000

B= 860-919
C= 720-859
D= 650-719
Required Textbook

The readings are taken from:

Phares, V. (2003) Understanding Abnormal Child Psychology , John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. ISBN 0471388742. The textbook may be purchased at the UTD Bookstore, Off
Campus Books, or on the web at amazon.com.

Lecture Schedule

Date Topic Chapter

Aug 19 Ways to Help Children 17
Aug 26 Normal vs Abnormal 1

Sept 02 Theories 2
Last Day to Select Pass/Fail or Drop Without a “W”

Sept 9 Ethics & Research 3&4

Sept 16 Assessment 5

Sept 23 Intervention 6
Sept 30 Risk, and Vulnerability 7

Oct 07 First Exam 1-7 & 17

Oct 13 First Exam Scores Posted

Oct 14 Protective Factors 8

Oct 20 Last Day to Withdraw with Pass (or Fail) Entered on Transcript
**New Policy: No “W”s for Academic Reasons Permitted
Drops for Non-Academic Reasons Severely Restricted

Oct 21 PDD and Dev Disabilities 14

Oct 28 ADHD 11

Nov 04 Learning Disabilities 15

Nov 11 Mood Disorders 9

Nov 18 Anxiety Disorders 10

Nov 25 Thanksgiving Holiday

Nov 28 Special Course Review Session 4-6:00 pm

Location to be announced

Dec 02 Final Exam 8-11, 14-15

Dec 09 Final Exam Scores Posted
Course Grades Posted