All students must participate by making at least a 3-5 minute statement, depending on the size of the class. The topic for the debate will be announced in class. Clear and accurate writing will be taken into account in assigning grades. Material discussed in class, and not in any of the readings, may form the basis for questions on the examinations. One grade reduction for over five class absences.
Students are responsible for anything covered in class during their absence.
Readings must be completed by the session to which they are assigned. Additional readings may be assigned during the course. In this course we examine these issues as a way of increasing our understanding of abnormal psychology. Contemporary perspectives include biological, psycho-social and existential approaches to understanding abnormal behavior. The philosophy of psychiatrist Thomas S. Szasz is highlighted during the second half of the semester.