Student: Dear The question you raise is being asked by several students, and I have therefore prepared a list of frequently asked questions relating to Psych 380. Best regards, Prof. Halgin Frequently Asked Questions: Psych 380 I see that Psych 380 is full. Can you add just one more student? o Thank you for your interest in Psych 380. Unfortunately, we are not able to add any more students because of the capacity of the auditorium. I see that the primary textbook is Abnormal Psychology, 6th Edition (2010). Can I use an earlier edition? o Each edition of the textbook has content that is approximately 20% different from the previous edition. Thus, the 6th edition would be approximately 40% different than the 4th edition. If you use an older edition, you can compare your version with the 6th edition, which will be available at the Reserve Desk in the UMass Library, so that you can see what content has been added or deleted. Is there an electronic version of the textbook? o Yes, you can access the entire textbook online for half the cost of the printed book at www.coursesmart.com I see that the secondary textbook is Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Abnormal Psychology, 5th Edition (2009). Can I use an earlier edition? o The 5th edition contains 6 chapters (out of 19) that were not contained in the 4th edition: Chapters 1, 5, 8, 13, 16, & 19. If you use the 4th edition, you can study the added newly chapters by accessing the book from the Reserve Desk at the UMass Library. Be aware that chapter numbers in the 5th edition differ from those in the 4th edition, so be certain to look at the topic on the syllabus, not just the chapter number. Is it permissible for me to use my laptop in lecture to take notes? o We are instituting a no-laptops rule for Psych 380 lectures for several reasons, the most significant of which is the fact that they reduce eye contact and conversational dialogue. Students are welcome to audiotape lectures. Will class notes be available online? o Lectures involve the presentation of detailed case studies, which do not lend themselves to simplified class notes. Thus, class notes are not
available online. Students will find it very important to attend lectures to hear the material first-hand. What happens in the Review/Discussion sections that are held several times each week? o In these meetings, Teaching Assistants review the lecture material and readings assigned from the previous week. These sessions provide students with an excellent opportunity to review course material, ask questions, engage in discussion, and earn extra credit. What are the requirements and grading policies for the course? o Information about requirements, reading assignments, and grading policies are detailed on the syllabus, which can be accessed via SPARK.