PSY V7500 — Psychopathology of Childhood | Fall 2024

Wednesdays 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Online Synchronous)

Zoom
Office Hours: Appointment
Mahtab Tuba | [email protected]
Course Description
The Psychopathology of Childhood course introduces abnormal child and adolescent
psychology, covering a variety of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders that affect
children and adolescent and emphasizing severe forms of psychopathology and the impact of
these conditions on daily academic and social functioning. It will concentrate on etiological
issues, challenges in assessment and diagnosis, and intervention. Developmental
psychopathology and systemic perspectives provide the frameworks to address the mental health
problems, with additional theoretical orientations (e.g., psychoanalytic, psychodynamic,
cognitive-behavioral) interspersed when applicable. This course primarily consists of lectures
and discussions. In the session's first half, students are introduced to the topic through
presentations and videos. After that, a case example is presented to enhance familiarity and
understanding of the disorder. Students are encouraged to participate in the discussion to identify
the symptoms and discuss various methods that can be used to address the challenges.

Diversity Statement
The primary goal of this class is to create a welcoming and safe environment for each other and
enjoy learning exciting topics. As an instructor, I expect my students to acknowledge and respect
each other’s differences in terms of social identity: ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation,
gender identity, ability, and socioeconomic status. This is an academic class where discourse is
welcome, although the class must always remain a safe space where everyone is valued and
treated with respect and dignity.

Required Text
Cost – $0
Parritz, R. H. & Troy, M. F. (2018). Disorders of Childhood, Development and Psychopathology
(3rd ed.).

Note: Readings will be available on Blackboard. Please check BB for weekly updates.

Remote Instruction
This course will be taught using Zoom (a web-based platform). Class is held synchronously,
which means LIVE. You will find the Zoom Link for class on Blackboard. At the scheduled
dates/times of class, please click on the link to join the class.

Students are highly recommended to join the class using a reliable internet connection.
Students are encouraged to log into class from a quiet space, free of distractions and noise
settings. They must have video and audio capabilities on their computer (i.e., a microphone,
webcam, and working speakers), so please avoid logging in from Cell phones. Following these
instructions can assist students in having a more effective and enjoyable class.
RESIST!...the urge to send emails, Check DMs, TikTok, Instagram, read the news, or engage in
online shopping via your computer or phone during class!

Devices used for notetaking are permitted in the class for course purposes. Students have the
right to a course that is free of unnecessary distraction that could impair their course
participation. Attentional capacity is a limited resource. It is a fact that dividing your attention
this way will decrease your learning performance.

Attendance/Participation
The aim is to promote better learning and responsibility. Class attendance is NOT mandatory;
however, attendance will be taken each class for extra credit. Students who want outstanding
grades are highly recommended to arrive on time and remain for the entire period. Being late to
class is strongly discouraged, but we all might suffer once or twice a semester. If you’re
unavoidably late, please ensure your microphone is muted, so you disrupt the class as little as
possible. Please be aware more than 20 minutes of lateness affects the attendance record.

Students are allowed 2 unexcused (Lazy Day & Mental Health Day) and 0 excused
absence without their Extra Credit being affected. However, students must email the instructor at
least a day before class. Students must submit valid medical reason before class time to be
excused. Students who are caregivers of a child or other family members must notify me at the
beginning of the semester, and I will accommodate them. Students with more than 2
unexcused absences will NOT receive the extra credit. After 5 absences, students will be
asked to bring a note from an academic advisor before continuing this course.

This course relies heavily on classroom interaction and requires regular participation. You
will be expected to have read the assigned materials before class. The class will be used to
discuss, integrate, and understand the material. Participation includes:
1. Preparing for discussion of assigned readings during class.
2. Engaging in discussion of project progress.
3. Openness to personal reflection and learning.
4. Interaction with classmates during small group discussions.

Students with perfect attendance and exceptional participation will receive 2-3 Extra
Credit points toward their final grade.

Lectures
Students can record the lecture only if they are registered with AAC and have accommodation.
All lectures PPTs slides will be available on Blackboard by the end of the week for your
reference/Study guide. PPTs are very useful supplements to the lecture material, but they are not
replacements for your notes.

Starters
For every class, students are expected to join the class prepared to take notes and participate.
Students will have a warm-up question for the class's first 10-15 minutes. The short response
question will be on the slide or posted on BB. You have 10 minutes to submit your response; the
question will originate from a topic we learned in the previous class or assigned reading. Correct
answers will receive the entire point; those submitted after the sharp deadline will receive zero.
Any classes missed or arrived late after once is the student's responsibility and will result in an
actual zero for that day's warm-up. Students with a documented excused absence will still
receive the whole point for the day. All responses must:
- Be 2-3 DETAILED sentences.
- In your own words.
- Not taken from the abstract.

Paper
There are a variety of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders that affect children and
adolescents. Students are asked to choose one disorder and research it explicitly for this paper.
They will review at least 10 -15 peer-reviewed articles on the topic. Students are required to
introduce the disorder using peer-reviewed articles and DSM-5 accurately (definition, semiology,
and impacts). Then, provide more details about the disorder, its treatment methods, and other
explanations that can give in-depth insight into the topic and existing interventions. Finally, in
the discussion/ conclusion, students will critique the treatment methods they mention throughout
their papers and propose a new intervention that can be more effective and affordable (can use
the future direction section of peer-reviewed articles to brainstorm). The paper should be about
5-10 pages in length. APA7 for the format.

There will be NO extension since there is enough time for the student to complete the paper.
Students will be graded based on the final draft they submit. In case of late submission, there will
be 2 points deducted for every hour. Email submissions are NOT accepted.

Outline
Provide an outline of what the term paper will look like. For this assignment, you will include
short sentences and bullet points to display a map of the paper. This can be done in word doc or
PowerPoint.

Comparison Paper
The composition aims to familiarize with how mental health disorders can be presented
differently across sources. This assignment should be a fun and exciting 1–3-page paper.
Students will choose two articles; one article needs to be from an empirically supported, peer-
reviewed journal article, while the other must be an article in the popular media regarding the
same childhood mental health disorder. They are required to identify, analyze, summarize, and
compare two articles. Additionally, discuss which of the two articles is more reliable and best
represents the disorder. Students can use DSM-5 to support their statements.
The paper MUST be one to three pages long and follow APA format. In case of late submission,
there will be 2 points deducted for every day. Email submissions are NOT accepted.

Recommendation Report
This evaluation aims to help students understand the causes and identify the symptoms and
practical treatment approaches for psychological disorders and successfully write
recommendation reports. Students are given a case study and are asked to I) indicate the purpose
of evaluation, II) Diagnose with evidences, III) Provide recommendation, pharmaceutical and
Therapeutic and educational interventions.

Grading
Final grades and grades on every assignment are determined according to a "straight" scale of scores:
97-100% = A+ 77-79% = C+
95-96% = A 75-76% = C
90-94% = A- 70-74% = C-
87-89% = B+ 60-69% = D
85-86% = B <60% =F
80-84% = B-
There will be NO curving in this course on any of the exam and papers.

The contributions to the semester grade are:

Starters – 24% (Based on class participation)
Comparison Paper– 15% (1 total)
Recommendation Report – 25% (1 total)
Outline – 6% (1 total)
Paper – 30% (1 total)
The course schedule can be found on page 8.

Resources
Academic Dishonesty
Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course in any guise. Dishonesty includes, but is not
limited to, (1) plagiarism: using another's words, ideas, or paraphrases and implying that they are your
own; (2) cheating: using hidden notes or examining another person's responses in order to answer
questions on a checkup or test; (3) ringers: having another person fulfill your assignment (e.g.,
homework, reasoning exercise, laboratory, quiz, paper, or test). In this course, it is very important that
you avoid plagiarism when completing your paper assignments. To help you in understanding what
plagiarism is and how to avoid it, please read the guide provided by CUNY’s provost, dean, and student
affairs offices:
web.gc.cuny.edu/provost/pdf/AvoidingPlagiarism.pdf

One recurring issue of academic dishonesty concerns the term papers. Each of the questions
asked of you in a term paper must be answered in your own words. You are not permitted to quote other
sources. Moreover, when writing a term paper, you should have no contact with other sources, including
the course textbook. The recommended approach is to read the textbook or other source before
completing the assignment, close it, and then write the paper without opening it again. In this way, all of
the words will be yours. Also, avoid using any sources on the web for completing your paper
assignments.
Any cases of academic dishonesty that I uncover on any assignment in this course will be dealt with
strictly: A faculty report on the dishonest student will be filed with the Office of the Academic
Integrity Official; the student will be failed in the assignment and possibly also in the course. Please
consult CUNY's policy on academic integrity for further information:
https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/standards/upload/academicintegrity.pdf

Student Support Services

There are many resources available to support students at the Colin Powell School. We
encourage you to speak with a Colin Powell School Academic Advisor for guidance about which
might be suitable. https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/colinpowellschool/office-academic-advisors, Also,
consider the resources outlined below.

Accessibility & Campus Resources

At City College, we strive to make all of our classes accessible to every student, regardless of
any disability (visible or non-visible; physical, cognitive, emotional, or learning) or any other
special circumstances (such as a medical, personal, or housing emergency; family
responsibilities; financial difficulties; legal difficulties; or immigration status) that may affect
your ability to attend classes and complete coursework. Please speak to your professors in office
hours or via email early in the semester or as soon as you’re aware that you may need
accommodations.

In addition, City College offers resources to students in a wide range of circumstances. Please
share this information with your friends and classmates at CCNY . We want all students to
succeed and to take full advantage of all the support the college has to offer.

Please let your other professors know if you have registered with the AccessAbility
Center/Student Disability Services (AAC/SDS) or have any special needs, learning differences,
or medical conditions that may affect your coursework so that we can make the appropriate
accommodations. If you believe you may need an official accommodation, please be in touch
with the AAC/SDS (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/accessability). You can reach the AccessAbility
office via email ([email protected]) or through their Zoom virtual front desk
(https://ccny.zoom.us/j/9018003301?pwd=dlRQTkgxRGluZDUyUjQ5RXdqQ1FQUT09).

If you need a computer, tablet, or wi-fi, you can request them through an online form
(https://portal.ccny.cuny.edu/depts/oit/cuny_loaner/login.php). You can also contact the iMedia
Center (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/it/imedia) via email ([email protected]). For other
technical support, visit the Office of Information Technology in NAC 1/301 or visit their website
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/it/students)

If you have any questions or concerns about your immigration status or that of your family
members, please consult the CCNY Immigration Center (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/we-are-
one-ccny/city-college-immigration-center) for free and confidential advice via phone (212-650-
6620) or email ([email protected]).

If, for any reason, you are struggling with personal issues, anxiety, depression, or stress, there
are a number of resources on campus:

The Student Counseling Center in the Health and Wellness Center provides remote counseling
that is free and confidential to students. You can contact them via phone (212-650-8222) or
email ([email protected]). To be immediately connected with a Crisis Counselor, text
CUNY to 741741. This Crisis Text Line is a free and confidential service that assists in problem
solving and safety planning during moments of crisis and is available 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. They also have links to a number of resources on their website
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/counseling).

The Psychological Center, located in the NAC Building, 8th Floor offers a range of in-person
psychological services at low cost, including individual and group psychotherapy, couple’s
therapy, and psychological testing. All services are confidential. To schedule a psychological
screening, please call 212-650-6602 or you can go on the clinic’s website
https://www.thepsychologicalcenter.org/ and click on “NEW PATIENT” to begin the process for
a psychological screening.

The Colin Powell School also has a partnership with NAMI-NYC to help you if you are living
with mental health challenges or if you care about someone experiencing those challenges.
NAMI-NYC programs are services are available FREE of charge and you can be as anonymous
as you’d like. Contact NAMI-NYC’s helpline via phone (212-684-3264) or email
([email protected]).

If you are dealing with food insecurity, please visit Benny’s Food Pantry
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/bennysfoodpantry) in the Hoffman Lounge on the first floor of the
NAC.

If you are facing an emergency shortage of funds, please email Ms. Charlene Darbassie
([email protected]) or Dean Andy Rich ([email protected]) in the Colin Powell
School Dean’s Office. They will tell you how to apply for an emergency grant. Applying is quick
and easy. You can learn more about these emergency grants online
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/colinpowellschool/student-emergency-fund).

If you are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence or violence that is sex-based,
gender-based, or sexuality-based; or if you are experiencing or have experienced
discrimination because of gender, sex, sexuality, race, ethnicity, language, religion,
disability, or other reasons, please report it to Sheryl Konigsberg in the Office of Affirmative
Action, Compliance, and Diversity (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/affirmativeaction) via email
([email protected]) , phone (212-650-6310), or in-person (Shepard Hall 109 A-D).
For a confidential discussion of these and related issues, please contact Sophie English via email
([email protected]) or phone (212-650-8905).

The Health and Wellness Center offers resources to survivors of gender-based and sexuality-
based violence as well as to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community at CCNY. You can
learn more about these resources online (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/health-wellness/gender-
resources) or via phone (212-650-8222), via email ([email protected]), or in
person at the Safe Space Resource Room located in the LGBTQ+ Student Center
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/lgbtq-student-center) in NAC 1/101B.

If you are struggling in any of your classes, don’t hesitate to get extra academic support. There
are various student tutoring services through CCNY Tutoring Services
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/academics/tutoring) or City Tutors (https://www.thecitytutors.org/).
The Colin Powell School also offers free peer mentoring with trained upperclassman students to
help motivate, focus on academics, and support students in achieving their goals. To sign up,
simply fill out the form
(https://airtable.com/appbIX4GFdKGDMLwL/shrWHKbV8QKh3017A). Learn more through
the Colin Powell Office of Student Success Mentoring
(https://cps-oss.ccny.cuny.edu/mentoring/).

The CCNY Writing Center (www.ccny.cuny.edu/writing) offers individualized writing support

to all students.

The Office of Student Success (OSS) supports students beyond the classroom by helping you
connect with alumni mentors, get paid internships, and win fellowships. See the OSS website for
more information. OSS offers something for everyone – whether you are a new student or are
about to graduate. Their offices are on the 6th floor of the NAC (6/274 through 6/288) next to the
Office of Academic Advising. We encourage you to go to the CPS Student Center (6/289),
where you can meet new people, study, and hang out between classes.

City College also offers assistance with internships and jobs through the College’s Career &
Professional Development Institute (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/cpdi).

If you are a veteran, please know that the Office of Veteran Affairs offers a wide range of
resources to support your studies. Information for how to contact that office is on the website
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/veterans/veterans-affairs-city-college).

For general advising questions, contact the Colin Powell School Office of Academic Advisors
(https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/colinpowellschool/office-academic-advisors). This office is located
in the NAC Building, Room 6/293. At their website, you can use Navigate to make an
appointment with one of the advisors (https://ccny-cuny.campus.eab.com/). You can also find
their email addresses so you can send them a message.

For Assistance with financial aid: Please reach out to our Colin Powell School Embedded
Financial Aid Advisor, Jennifer Lavayen: [email protected]. Navigating the financial side
of your education can be overwhelming, but there are unique resources specifically available to
students within Colin Powell School. Reaching out for assistance can open doors to scholarships,
grants, and other opportunities tailored just for you, easing your financial burden. Remember,
investing time in understanding and applying for these specialized resources can make a huge
difference in your college experience. Don't miss out on the help that's designed to support you
—take the first step today. To schedule an appointment and view walk-in times please use the
following link: https://ccny-cuny.campus.eab.com/pal/thOlLVZHX3

Are you are in search of child care? CCNY’s Campus Child Development Center offers full-day
child care, on campus, for the children of students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Students are often eligible for a subsidized rate that is much less expensive than the market rate.
Moreover, CCNY students have first priority. Contact [email protected],
[email protected], or [email protected]. You can also call (212) 650-7679
or see https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/cdc or https://imagineelc.com/city-college-child-development-
center/. If you live closer to another CUNY campus, you might receive subsidized child care at
that campus, too. Contact the email addresses listed above to learn more.
Academic Calendar
Course Schedule
This schedule is subject to change at any time, and students must check for updates via BB.
Class date Topic Reading Due
8/28  Meet & greet Syllabus
 Introduction to
Psychopathology
9/4  Principles of Assessment and Ch# 3-4
Diagnosis
9/11  Anxiety Disorders Ch#8 & 11
 Obsessive-Compulsive BB Readings
Disorder,
 Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder

9/18  Continued Material Ch#12

 Mood Disorder BB Readings
9/25  Comparison Paper Ch#6
 Intellectual Disability,
 Learning Disabilities
10/2  Autism Spectrum Disorder Ch#7 Comparison Paper @
11:59 PM
10/9  Attention Deficit Ch#9
Hyperactivity Disorder
10/16  Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Ch#10
Conduct Disorder
10/23  Continued Material
10/30  Term Paper BB Readings
 Early-Onset Schizophrenia
and the Schizophrenia
Spectrum
11/6  Continued Material Ch#13 Outline @11:59PM
11/13  Eating Disorder
11/20  Continued Material Paper @11:59PM
11/27  Personality Disorder, Self- BB Readings
Injurious Behavior,
12/4  The Substance Use Disorders Ch#14
12/11  Continued Material
 Review
? Recommendation Report

*A good education can change anyone, but a good professor can change everything. *