PSYC 260 (A02) – CRN 12968
Introduction to Mental Health and Wellbeing
Fall 2023
Instructor Teaching Assistant
Dr. Jill Robinson, Assistant Teaching Professor, Baeleigh VanderZwaag
Department of Psychology (she/her)
Office: Cornett A216 Cornett A137 (in Cortex Lab)
Email: jillrobinson@[Link] baeleighv@[Link]
Phone: (250) 853 3787
Office Hours: 1230pm-230pm Tuesday or Zoom by By appointment (email for
appointment (email for appointments) appointments)
Prerequisites: PSYC100A and PSYC100B
Class Time Mon, Thurs – 1:00pm – 2:20pm
Classroom Engineering and Computer Science - Room 116
Required Text An Integrative Approach to Understanding, Assessing, and
Treating Psychological Disorders (2024), 7th Edition, Cengage.
Course Website You will find slides, assignments, and course announcements posted on
Brightspace. [Link]
Land Acknowledgement We acknowledge and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples on whose traditional
territory the university stands and the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical
relationships with the land continue to this day.
Course Description and Learning Outcomes
This course will present students with an overview of psychopathology, mental health, and wellbeing,
with an emphasis on the broad categories of mental health disorders. Topics include defining the
continuum of behaviour, the development of diagnosis, and theories about mental illness. We will
explore various categories of psychopathology included in the DSM-5-TR such as disorders of
anxiety, mood, substance use, and trauma. The prevalence, development, course, assessment, and
treatment of psychological disorders will be covered. Theory and research will be emphasized
throughout the course.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
1. Understand and differentiate the continuum of behaviour with regards to mental health and
mental illness.
2. Describe the contributions of several theoretical perspectives and evaluate the research evidence
that mental illness is impacted by social, biological, cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and cultural
factors.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the classification systems and diagnostic criteria used to
categorize psychopathology.
© Jill Robinson. Not to be copied, used, or revised without express written permission from the copyright owner. 1
4. Define and describe the broad categories of mental disorders and their symptoms, causes, and
treatments.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills as it applies to differentiating between mental disorders of
different and the same category and what evidence-based treatments may be applicable.
6. Evaluate commonly held attitudes/biases/understandings of mental illness and alongside causes
and treatments.
Course Evaluation and Grades
Students who have completed the following elements (A, B, C, and D are required components) will
be considered to have completed the course:
A. Exam #1 23% The exam will cover all content from weeks 1 to 4 inclusive,
including content from lectures and readings. The exam is
closed book, in-person, and written.
B. Exam #2 18% The exam will cover all content from weeks 6 to 10 inclusive,
including content from lectures and readings. The exam is
closed book, in-person, and written.
C. Exam #3 15% The exam will cover all content from weeks 11 to 14
inclusive, including content from lectures and readings. The
exam is closed book, in-person, and written.
D. Case 24% Case studies will require you to think critically about the course
Studies on (3 x 8% each) materials to integrate information from the class and textbook.
Brightspace You will answer specific questions and provide responses on
Brightspace.
E. Engagement 20% (10 of 14 Engagement boosters will require you respond to a topic
Boosters x 2% each) related to course material that week. You will be asked do a
variety of activities (e.g., watch a video, write a brief reflection,
listen to a podcast, debunk a social media myth, view a
“scammy website”) on Brightspace each week. To receive full
marks, you need to respond to 10 out of 14 prompts (each
worth 1%) by 11:59pm each class day. Late submissions will
not count toward your mark nor can you make these up if you
forget or need an extension. You can skip 4 weeks and still
receive full marks so plan accordingly. Submission and
instructions are on Brightspace.
F. SONA + 2% See below for explanation of how to participate in SONA.
(optional)
Failure to complete one or more of elements A, B, C, and D will result in a grade of “N” regardless of
the cumulative percentage of all other elements of the course. N is a failing grade and factors into
GPA as a value of 0. In accordance with the University’s policy on academic concessions, “A student
who completes all course requirements is not eligible for an academic concession”. Consequently,
students can only request deferrals for the completion of required course components and not for
non-essential course components. Students have the responsibility to proactively seek advice when
facing unexpected and unavoidable circumstances and conflicting responsibilities interfere with their
academic obligations.
© Jill Robinson. Not to be copied, used, or revised without express written permission from the copyright owner. 2
Course Schedule
The below schedule should be considered tentative as the pace of the course and content covered
each class may vary throughout the term. The examination dates will remain fixed. All assigned
readings are to be completed before the class that they are attached to. Please see Important Dates
section for due dates.
Class Dates Topic Text Chapters
Week 1: Sept 7 Introduction to Mental Health/Illness Chapter 1
Week 2: Sept 11, 14 Integration in Psychopathology Chapter 2
Week 3: Sept 18, 21 Anxiety Chapter 5
Week 4: Sept 25, 28 Preoccupation and Obsession Chapter 6
Week 5: Oct 2 No Classes
Week 5: Oct 5 Exam #1 Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6
Week 6: Oct 9 No Classes
Week 6: Oct 12 Trauma & Dissociation Chapter 7
Week 7: Oct 16, 19 Trauma & Dissociation Chapter 7
Week 8: Oct 23, 26 Mood Chapter 8
Week 9: Oct 30, Nov 2 Mood; Eating Chapter 8, 9
Week 10: Nov 6 Eating Chapter 9
Week 10: Nov 9 Exam #2 Chapters 7, 8, 9
Week 11: Nov 16 Substance Use and Impulse Control Chapter 12
Week 12: Nov 20, 23 Substance Use and Impulse Control Chapter 12
Week 13: Nov 27, 30 Psychosis; Personality Chapter 14; 13
Week 14: Dec 4 Exam #3 Chapters 12, 13, 14
Important Dates
Each Friday by 11:59pm Engagement Booster Activity (see description)
September 29, 2023 @ 11:59pm Case Study 1 on Brightspace
October 2, 2023 – all day No classes – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
October 5, 2023 @ 1:00pm-2:20pm Exam #1
October 9, 2023– all day No class – Thanksgiving
October 27, 2023 @ 11:59pm Case Study 2 on Brightspace
November 9, 2023 @ 1:00pm - 2:20pm Exam #2
December 1, 2023 @ 11:59pm Case Study 3 on Brightspace
December 4, 2023 @ 1:00pm-2:20pm Exam #3
SONA Research Participation
Students in this course may earn up to 2% extra credit toward their final grade by participating in
approved research studies conducted in the Department of Psychology. One (1) hour of participation
earns students one (1) SONA credit and credits are given in 0.5 increments, with one (1) credit
required for a 1% increase in the student's final grade. There is a one (1) SONA bonus credit for in-
person experiments regardless of the overall participation time. For details on participating in
research studies, go to the Department of Psychology web site:
[Link] You must be sure to assign
your credits to this course (and this section of the course) no later than the last day of class,
otherwise you will not receive extra credit in this course. If you do not wish to participate in research,
but still wish to have the opportunity to earn an equivalent amount of extra credit, I will provide an
alternative written assignment upon your request, to be submitted before the final class.
© Jill Robinson. Not to be copied, used, or revised without express written permission from the copyright owner. 3
Expected Student Conduct
Respectful Behaviour Throughout the course, students and the instructor may choose to share or
disclose personal information. It is important for you to consider what and when you share. There is
no way to guarantee confidentiality in a large in-person class and as such, please evaluate your self-
disclosures carefully. The ability to maintain this stance is necessary to ensure the safety of all
individuals. Further, I support an inclusive classroom experience where diversity and individual
differences are understood, respected, appreciated, and recognized to be a source of strength. I
expect that students, instructors, and teaching assistants will show the utmost respect for individual
differences. Please let me know if something said or done in the classroom, by either myself or other
students, is particularly troubling or causes discomfort or offense. In extending respect, I endeavor to
create a positive learning experience by being available to answer questions, discuss materials, and
foster your learning experience. I attempt to respond to emails within 3 business days (please resend
after this time period).
Sensitive Content The university classroom provides an open space for the critical and civil
exchange of ideas. Some course content will include topics that some students may find difficult to
learn about. Each student and each topic are different and as such, I cannot provide a “trigger
warning” for all the sensitive topics in this course. Please ensure that you consider the topics to be
discussed and determine if you have the emotional capacity and tolerance to engage in this course at
the present time. I will not provide alternative assignments or readings, as I aim to provide a
comprehensive survey of mental health and wellbeing topics in order to meet the learning objectives
set out for this course and psychology undergraduate education. Resources for support and wellbeing
are provided at the end of the syllabus.
Attendance It is expected that you will attend all classes. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, you
must miss a class, please obtain the missed material from a classmate. I can provide information on
specific questions, but a make-up class or class notes will not be provided. Teaching assistants are
also able to answer content-related questions.
Missed Exams/Assignments You are expected to write the exams and complete assignments on
the dates set out in the Course Schedule. The is a content-heavy course and it serves students well if
they do not miss deadlines and plan accordingly to complete their work on time. If you miss a
deadline/exam for an emergency, due to illness, or accident, please contact me as soon as possible
(no later than 2 days after the exam or 24 hours after the deadline). For all exam makeups and
assignment extensions, you must fill out a Request for In-Course Extension form from the link
below. Makeup exams and extensions will be granted only in extenuating circumstances such as
significant illness or accident. Exams MUST be written before the next exam. Travel plans and
personal inconveniences (e.g., having more than one assignment due at the same time,
having your friend visiting, work scheduling conflicts, being hungover, bad “vibes”, or having
a sore pinky toenail) will not be accommodated. Students who miss the final examination (Exam
#3) should make a request for academic concession (see Course Policy Information).
Request for In-Course Extension Form:
[Link]
academic-concession/forms/uvic_undergraduate_request_for_in-course_extension.pdf
© Jill Robinson. Not to be copied, used, or revised without express written permission from the copyright owner. 4
Sexualized Violence Prevention and Response at UVic
UVic takes sexualized violence seriously, and has raised the bar for what is considered acceptable
behaviour. We encourage students to learn more about how the university defines sexualized violence
and its overall approach by visiting [Link]/svp. If you or someone you know has been impacted by
sexualized violence and needs information, advice, and/or support please contact the sexualized
violence resource office in Equity and Human Rights (EQHR). Whether or not you have been directly
impacted, if you want to take part in the important prevention work taking place on campus, you can
also reach out:
Where: Sexualized violence resource office in EQHR, Sedgewick C119
Phone: 250.721.8021
Email: svpcoordinator@[Link]
Web: [Link]/svp
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA
Department of Psychology
Important Course Policy Information
Fall Session 2023
Accessible Learning
The University of Victoria is committed to creating a learning experience that is as accessible as possible. If you
anticipate or experience any barriers to learning in this course, please feel welcome to discuss your concerns with
me. If you have a disability or chronic health condition, or think you may have a disability, you may also want to
meet with an advisor at the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).
Attendance and Absences
Attendance is important. Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled. Students may be
assigned a final grade of N or debarred from writing final examinations if they fail to satisfy a minimum attendance
requirement set by the instructor for lectures, laboratories, online course discussions or learning activities,
tutorials, or other learning activities set out in the course outline.
Medical documentation for short-term absences is not required (approved by Senate). Students who cannot
attend due to illness are asked to notify their instructors immediately. If illness, accident, or family affliction causes
a student to miss the final exam or to fail to complete any required assignment/assessment by the end of the term
students are required to submit a request for academic concession (see below).
Children and Pets
If you need to bring your children or pet to class, please do not hesitate to do so. It is understood that sometimes
this is necessary due to care circumstances. However, please aim to have minimal class disturbance so that student
learning is not impacted.
Class Recording and Auto-Captioning Statement
The instructor may record class sessions and those recordings may be made available to all students in the class via
Brightspace. If you have questions or concerns regarding class recording and privacy please contact
privacyinfo@[Link]
Auto-generated captioning may be enabled in this course. Auto-captioning is highly error-prone, especially for
specialized terminology and proper names. Students are asked to refer to the audio feed for clarification of any
errors. If you find captioning errors that are offensive, please contact your instructor and/or teaching assistant so
that they are aware. If you require captions as part of an academic accommodation, please contact CAL.
Commitment to Inclusivity, Diversity, and Respectful Environments in the Classroom and Online
The University of Victoria is committed to providing a positive and supportive and safe learning and working
environment for all its members. All members of the university community have the right to this experience and
the responsibility to help create such an environment. The University will not tolerate racism, sexualized violence,
or any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
Please be advised that, by logging into UVic’s learning systems or interacting with online resources and course-
related communication platforms, you are engaging in a University activity.
All interactions within this environment are subject to the university expectations and policies. Any concerns about
student conduct may be reviewed and responded to in accordance with the appropriate university policy.
To report concerns about online student conduct: onlineconduct@[Link]
Version: Fall Term 2023 1
Copyright
All course content and materials are made available by instructors for educational purposes and for the exclusive
use of students registered in their class 1. The material is protected under copyright law, even if not marked with
©. Any further use or distribution of materials to others requires the written permission of the instructor, except
under fair dealing or another exception in the Copyright Act. Violations may result in disciplinary action under the
Resolution of Non-Academic Misconduct Allegations policy (AC1300) or the Academic Integrity Policy, whichever
is more appropriate for the situation.
Course Experience Survey (CES)
I value your feedback on this course. Toward the end of term, you will have the opportunity to complete a
confidential course experience survey (CES) regarding your learning experience. The survey is vital to providing
feedback to the instructor regarding the course and their teaching, as well as to help the department improve the
overall program for students in the future. When it is time for you to complete the survey, you will receive an
email inviting you to do so. If you do not receive an email invitation, you can go directly to [Link] You
will need to use your UVic NetLink ID to access the survey, which can be done on your laptop, tablet or mobile
device. You will be reminded nearer the time, but please be thinking about this important activity, especially the
following three questions, during the course.
1. What strengths did your instructor demonstrate that helped you learn in this course?
2. Please provide specific suggestions as to how the instructor could have helped you learn more effectively.
3. Please provide specific suggestions as to how this course could be improved.
Disclaimer
The above schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of
extenuating circumstances.
Grading
In classes that are based on a percentage grading scheme, the following Undergraduate Grading Scale is used
Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F
Percentage 90-100 85-89 80-84 77-79 73-76 70-72 65-69 60-64 51-59 < 50
GP Value 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Rounding is only applied to the final grade and is rounded up at the 0.5% level (e.g., 84.49% is round to 84% and
84.50% is rounded to 85%).
Medical Documentation for absences
No medical documentation for short-term absences is required (Approved by Senate).
If you are seeking a Withdrawal Extenuating Circumstances or an Aegrotat grade, medical documentation may be
required if relevant.
Ombudsperson and Academic Concerns
From the course calendar…
Depending on the nature of the academic matter of concern to the student, the order in which the student should
normally try to resolve the matter is: first, the course instructor; second, the Chair of the department; third, the
Dean of the faculty; and finally, the Senate.
If you are having an academic concern or problem that cannot be resolved with your instructor or the Department
Associate Chair, you may wish to consult with the Office of the Ombudsperson ([Link]
Current contact information for the office can be found here [Link]
1
Syllabi belong to the department through which the course is administered.
Version: Fall Term 2023 2
Policy on Academic Integrity including Plagiarism and Cheating
The Department of Psychology fully endorses and intends to enforce rigorously the Senate Policy on Academic
Integrity. It is of utmost importance that students who do their work honestly be protected from those who do
not. Because this policy is in place to ensure that students carry out and benefit from the learning activities
assigned in each course, it is expected that students will cooperate in its implementation.
The offences defined by the policy can be summarized briefly as follows:
1. Plagiarism. You must make sure that the work you submit is your work and not someone else’s. There
are proper procedures for citing the works of others. The student is responsible for being aware of and
using these procedures.
2. Unauthorized Use of an Editor. The use of an editor is prohibited unless the instructor grants explicit
written authorization.
3. Multiple Submission. Only under exceptional circumstances may a work submitted to fulfill an academic
requirement be used to satisfy another similar requirement. The student is responsible for clarifying this
with the instructor(s) involved.
4. Falsifying Materials Subject to Academic Evaluation. This includes falsification of data, use of
commercially prepared essays, using information from the Internet without proper citation, citing sources
from which material is not actually obtained, etc.
5. Cheating on Assignments, Tests, and Examinations. You may not copy the work of others in or out of
class; you may not give your work to others for the purpose of copying; you may not use unauthorized
material or equipment during examinations or tests; and you may not impersonate or allow yourself to be
impersonated by another at an examination. The Department of Psychology has a policy of not making old
examinations available for study purposes. Therefore, use of old exams without the express written
permission of the instructor constitutes cheating by the user, and abetting of cheating by the person who
provided the exam.
6. Aiding Others to Cheat. It is a violation to help others or attempt to help others to engage in any of the
conduct described above.
The use of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited in any submitted work (unless expressly
endorsed by the instructor as part of an assignment). The Department reserves the right to use AI detectors.
Instructors are expected to make every effort to prevent cheating and plagiarism. This may include the assignment
of seating for examinations, asking students to move during examinations, requests to see student identification
cards, and other measures as appropriate. Instructors also have available to them a variety of tools and procedures
to check for Internet and electronic media-based cheating. In instances of suspected or actual plagiarism or
cheating, instructors, following prescribed procedures, are authorized to take steps consistent with the degree of
the offence. These measures will range from a zero on the test or assignment or a failing grade for the course,
probation within a program to temporary or even permanent suspension from the University.
Rights of Appeal are described in the Policy on Academic Integrity in the University calendar Fall 2023.
The definitive source for information on Academic Integrity is the University Calendar
Other useful resources on Plagiarism and Cheating include:
1. The Ombudsperson’s office: [Link]
The Office of the Ombudsperson is an independent and impartial resource to assist with the fair
resolution of student issues. A confidential consultation can help you understand your rights and
responsibilities. The Ombudsperson can also clarify information, help navigate procedures, assist with
problem-solving, facilitate communication, provide feedback on an appeal, investigate and make
recommendations. Phone: 250-721-8357; Email: ombuddy@[Link]; Web: [Link].
2. UVic Library Resources: [Link]
3. UVic Library Document on Avoiding Plagiarism
Version: Fall Term 2023 3
Prerequisites
Students who remain in courses for which they do not have the prerequisites do so at their own risk. Students
who complete courses without prerequisites ARE NOT exempt from having to complete the prerequisite course(s)
if such courses are required for the degree program.
Program Requirements
For more information see the UVic Calendar.
Registration Status
Students are responsible for verifying their registration status. Registration status may be verified using My Page,
View Schedule. Course adds and drops will not be processed after the deadlines set out in the current UVic
Calendar.
Students who do not attend classes must not assume that they have been dropped from a course by an academic
unit or an instructor. Courses that are not formally dropped will be given a failing grade, students may be required
to withdraw and will be required to pay the tuition fee for the course.
Request for Academic Concessions
Students can apply for academic concessions if their course requirements are affected by (i) unexpected and/or
unavoidable circumstances (e.g., illness, family affliction, etc.), or (ii) conflicting responsibilities (e.g., service in the
armed forces or first responder, representing the university).
• Request an in-course extension
If you require more time to complete a course requirement or miss a test or midterm exam, then you will
need to complete the “In-Course Extension Form” and submit it directly to your course instructor. All
course requirements must be completed prior to the submission of final grades.
• What to do if you miss the final exam scheduled during the formal exam period
Apply at Records Services for a “Request for Academic Concession”, normally within 10 working days of
the date of the exam. Records Services will forward the form to the instructor. If the concession is
granted, the instructor will determine how to deal with the situation (for example, a deferred exam).
Where a concession is not applied for or where such application is denied, an N grade will be entered on
the student’s academic record.
• What to do if you require additional time to complete course requirements beyond the normal term.
Apply at Records Services for a “Request for Academic Concession”, normally within 10 working days of
the end of the course. Records Services will forward the form to the instructor. If the concession is
granted, the instructor will determine how to deal with the situation. Where a concession is not applied
for or where such application is denied, an N grade will be entered on the student’s academic record if
the missing work has been deemed required. Note, only required course components may be deferred.
Research Participation Opportunities with the Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers multiple opportunities to participate in research studies over the year.
Students are encouraged to learn more about the field of psychology by volunteering in these studies. Information
about studies can often be found posted on notice boards around the Department as well as through our
Participant Pool webpage at [Link]
Student Support Services
Learn Anywhere is the student support portal for a full range of student academic and support services. Services
include: Centre for Academic Communication, Math & Stats Assistance Centre, Counselling Services, Health
Services, Library, Ombudsperson, and Computer Help Desk
Version: Fall Term 2023 4
This classroom is a trans-inclusive space
Please indicate if you have a preferred name and pronoun that you’d like to be used in the classroom. Please e-
mail your instructor or your TA if you would like to discuss the climate of this classroom for trans students. Gender
neutral bathrooms are available at UVic.
University of Victoria Students’ Society (UVSS)
The UVSS is a social justice based non-profit run by students, for students and is entirely separate from UVic. As an
undergrad student, you are already a member! We work on issues affecting students such as affordability, public
transit, sexualized violence, sustainability, student employment, and much more. We fund clubs and course
unions, and have several advocacy groups. We also have a Food Bank and Free Store, a Peer Support Centre, and
run your health and dental plan. We are here to support you, so please reach out to us at [Link]!
Academic Important Dates
Fall session – first term (September – December)
Wednesday, September 6th First term classes begin for all faculties
Tuesday, September 19th Last day for 100% reduction of second term fees for standard courses 50% of tuition
fees will be assessed for courses dropped after this date.
Friday, September 22nd Last day for adding courses that begin in the first term
Saturday, September 30th Last day for paying first term fees without penalty
Monday, October 2nd University Closed (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30th)
Monday, October 9th University Closed (Thanksgiving Day)
Tuesday, October 10th Last day for 50% reduction of tuition fees for standard courses
st
Tuesday, October 31 Last day for withdrawing from first term courses without penalty of failure
Monday, November 13th University Closed (Remembrance Day, Nov 11th)
November 13th - 15th Reading Break for all faculties
Monday, December 4th Last day of classes in first term for all faculties
Monday, December 4th National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - (Classes
and exams cancelled from 11:30am - 12:30pm)
Thursday, December 7th First-term examinations begin for all faculties
Wednesday, December 20th First term examinations end for all faculties
December 25th - 31st University Closed (Winter Break)
Add and drop dates for standard 2023-2024 Winter Session courses
Term Start End Date 100% Fee Add Deadline 50% Fee Academic
Date Reduction Reduction Drop no Fee
Reduction
First term Sep 6 Dec 4 Sep 19 Sep 22 Oct 10 Oct 31
Second term Jan 8 Apr 8 Jan 21 Jan 24 Feb 11 Feb 29
Version: Fall Term 2023 5
BE WELL
A note to remind you to take care of yourself. Do your best to
maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well,
exercising, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax.
This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress. All of
us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not
alone.
Social Life, Friends, & Community at UVic:
Having a social network is an extremely important foundation for positive mental
health. There are lots of benefits to joining clubs, course unions, intramurals and teams
on campus.
[Link]
Counselling Services:
The Student Wellness Centre can help you make the most of your university experience.
They offer free professional, confidential, inclusive support to currently registered UVic
students. [Link]
team/[Link]#ipn-counsellors
Health Services:
The Student Wellness Centre also provides a full service primary health clinic for
students. [Link]
team/[Link]#ipn-physicians
Centre for Accessible Learning:
The CAL staff are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals
and arrange appropriate accommodations [Link]/services/cal/. The sooner you
let us know your needs, the quicker we can assist you in achieving your learning goals in
this course.
Elders' Voices:
The Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE) has the privilege
of assembling a group of Elders from local communities to guide students, staff, faculty
and administration in Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
[Link]/services/indigenous/students/programming/elders/
Mental Health Supports and Services:
Mental health supports and services are available to students from all areas of the UVic
community: [Link]
