PSYC 2513 Abnormal Psychology Syllabus W01 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
42.0101
Course Meeting Time

Online/Asynchronous

Course Description

This course will cover the major topics of abnormal behavior: diagnosis, assessment, theories of abnormal behavior, methods of treatment, and prevention. Some sections of this course are taught in the computer lab; computer literacy skills are recommended. AAS: Social and behavioral science elective. IAI: PSY 905 Psychology.

Prerequisites

PSYC 1813 - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking
  2. Responsibility
Explanation of Course Alignment

IAI Number: PSY905

IAI Title: Abnormal Psychology

AAS Distribution Area: Social and behavioral science

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Jessica Maureen Oladapo
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8707
Faculty Office Number
L311
Faculty Student Support Hours

Tuesday & Thursday 9am -11am, L311

Friday 9-11am, online

Faculty Information

Jessica M. Oladapo

L311

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply psychological concepts to the real world
  2. Evaluate research methods
  3. Understand the history of abnormal behavior
  4. Understand diagnosis and assessment
  5. Understand the major perspectives of abnormal psychology
  6. Understand the legal and ethical issues pertaining to psychological studies
  7. Understand mental health conditions
Topical Outline
  1. History of Abnormal Psychology
  2. Research Methods
  3. Models of Abnormality
  4. Clinic Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
  5. Anxiety and OCD
  6. Disorders of Trauma and Stress
  7. Depressive and Bipolar Disorders
  8. Disorders Featuring Somatic Symptoms
  9. Eating Disorders
  10. Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
  11. Sexual Disorders 
  12. Gender Variations
  13. Schizophrenia
  14. Personality Disorders
  15. Disorders of the Lifespan 
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Comer, R. & Comer, J. (2022). Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology, 10th ed. Macmillan Publishers.

Other required readings will be posted via CANVAS.

Methods of Evaluation

Grading

  • Discussion Posts

  • Quizzes

  • Chapter Assignment

The grading breakdown is:

Discussion Posts – 30%

Quizzes – 40%

Chapter Assignment -30%

 

Grading Scale

A --- (100 – 90%)

B --- (90 – 80%)

C --- (80 – 70%)

D --- (70 - 60%)

F --- less than 60%

Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies

General Expectations:

1. Participate each week.

2. Be respectful of each person’s perspective. There will be conversation around provocative topics, and I am sure that conversation can get heated. We all come from different walks of life and have different experiences. However, respect demands that we engage respectfully.

3. We will try our very best to stay on schedule with the syllabus, however, I have the right to adjust the syllabus to best meet the needs of the students in the class. 


General Set up of the class

1. POSTING REQUIREMENTS: Each week there will be discussion sections. Please respond with an original post/answer.

2. You may respond to your classmates’ original posts. These responses should be thoughtful, challenging, and well organized. A response of “I agree” or “I disagree” is not thought provoking. You may, however, add to an idea, refute an idea, and give an argument as to why you agree or disagree, citing evidence from the text. Responses are not required but are encouraged. Additional points may be gained for thoughtful, thought provoking responses that further the conversation.

3. Also in the folder for each week, there may be possible video clips and other reading materials. Please pay close attention to the discussion question as it may require you to watch or read the other materials prior to completion.

4. This is a completely online course. As such, you are required to be able to work independently and stay on task. Quizzes will be on material covered in the text, as well as the online discussions. You are responsible for reading and understanding the material. I am available and during office hours if clarification is needed.

5. As an online course, all course delivery will be in an online format. Online office hours and Q&A will occur every Tuesday & Wednesday 11am-1pm.

Course Calendar
Date 
January 12- January 18Introductions
January 19 – January 25Chapter 1 – Abnormal Psychology Past and Present
January 26 – February 1Chapter 2 – Models of Abnormality
February 2 – February 8Chapter 3: Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment
February 9 – February 15Chapter 4: Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Related Disorders
February 16 – February 22Chapter 5: Disorders of Trauma and Stress
February 23 – March 1Chapter 6: Depressive and Bipolar Disorders
March 2 – March 8Chapter 7: Suicide
March 9 – March 15SPRING BREAK
March 16 – March 22Chapter 8: Disorders Featuring Somatic Symptoms
March 23 – March 29Chapter 9: Eating Disorders
March 30 – April 5Chapter 10: Substance Use and Addictive Disorders
April 6 – April 12Chapter 11: Sexual Disorders and Gender Variations
April 13 – April 19Chapter 12: Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
April 20 – April 26Chapter 13: Personality Disorders
April 27 – May 3Chapter 14: Disorders Common Among Children and Adolescents
May 4 – May 10Chapter 15: Disorders of Aging and Cognition
May 11 – May 14FINALS WEEK

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.