Instructor: Janene Bussell, M.S.                                     Spring 2000
Office hours by appointment: DM 269                           Mon. & Wed. 17:00- 18:15
Phone: 305-348-3941                                                E-mail: jbusse01@fiu.edu
Web Page: http://www.fiu.edu/~jbusse01
 

Course Goals
This course will acquaint the student with various forms of abnormal behavior in infancy, childhood, and adolescence within the context of traditional and contemporary psychological theory. Problems of differential diagnosis and forms of treatment are discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on DSM IV classifications as well as exploring some of the many controversial issues in this area of study.

Required Text
Erickson, Marilyn T. (1998) Behavior Disorders of Children and Adolescents: Assessment, etiology and Intervention (3^rd ed.) New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Optional Text
Advanced Abnormal Child Psychology (1995). Edited by Hersen, Michel & Ammerman, Robert T., New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Course Requirements
Attendance is not mandatory, however it is strongly encouraged. Students are responsible for all information given in the lectures and in the assigned readings. Lectures are intended to supplement the readings, not repeat or explain them. Lectures will often provide material that is not in the textbook, and this material will appear on the exams. You are also strongly encouraged to read the assigned material before each class meeting. In addition you will be responsible for all information and announcements (including changes in this syllabus) given during class time. Participation is also encouraged and expected and will be a factor in determining borderline grades.

Exams
There will be four non-cumulative exams. The exams will be multiple choice exam format. Students must be present and on time for all exams. Late arrivals will not be permitted to take the exam after any person has left the exam room, and no additional time will be given. Students will need to bring two No.2 pencils for the exams.
There will be no make-up exams given at any time!

Extra Credit
Extra credit will be offered. Extra credit points will be added to one (or more) of your exams. You can earn up to 16 points extra credit. There are three ways of earning extra credit:
1) Participation in experiments conducted in the Department of Psychology. You will receive 4 points for each hour of participation. Experiments will sometimes be announced in class. Experiment sign-up sheets are also posted on the bulletin board directly across from the elevators on the 2nd floor of DM.
2) A written summary and critique of an article in a psychological journal. The selection should be related to topics presented in the course and must be cleared with the instructor first. These papers should be at least 4 typed double-spaced pages. You will receive 4 points for each article. This is a 4000 level course, and extra credit will not be given for poorly done work.
3)Read the case studies on reserve in the library and answer the questions provided by your instructor. You will be given 4 points for each set of questions answered correctly.

Extra credit projects/slips are due no later than April 12^th at 5:00 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Grading Scale:

A 93-100%     B+ 87-89%     B- 80-82%     C 73-76%     D+ 67-69%     D- 60-62%
A- 90-92%      B 83-86%       C+ 77-79%    C- 70-72%    D 63-66%       F 0-59%

Course Policies
Cheating: Don't cheat. Anyone caught cheating will receive a grade of F for the course and will be referred to the University for disciplinary action with a recommendation for dismissal from the University. Cheating is an extremely serious violation of academic standard and will not be tolerated in this course. The same policy applies to plagiarism.

**Final Exam (Exam 4) April 19th 17:00-18:15 (students are responsible for managing any time conflicts)
*March 3-Last day to withdraw

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