This assignment asks you to write a Formal (Critical) Essay relating Public Policy to this course as depicted in Chapters 7-18 inclusive of our text. Why? Psychopathology as presented in the text focuses on the individual. This paper is to focus on the way that psychopathology might impact on the community and how, in turn, the community responds to that impact. Most of you will find after you get started with this assignment how easy it is to ace it.

"How long should the paper be?" Brevity, good development and completeness is what counts! To get you started, and to assure the prof that you understand what is to be done, there are two check points to pass before you submit your paper on April 23, 1999.

The first check point is 'due' on March 7, 1999. It requires a brief essay that answers the question: "What is Public Policy?" (The prof really wants to know who should be referred to the writing center, so show the prof your very best writing skills.) This essay must have at least one reference and contain a brief discussion of how public policy has or could impact on the individual who has "psychopathology." Obviously you need to be able to explain what public policy means in order to complete this assignment.

The second check-in is another brief essay due on March 24, 1999 and consists of your definition of public policy, an abstract of your proposed paper, and a list of the references you propose to use in the final paper (see below).

There are five points that the prof looks for in the paper. (1) Your exposition of public policy. (2) Your references and how you use them in the body of your essay to support your "thesis". (3) The relevance of the paper to the course. (4) Thoughtfulness, integration and logic! (5) The quality of your writing. Writing can count for up to 20% of the paper grade.

Overall direction

1. Your discussion of public policy should address, in part or in whole, material contained in at least three (but not more than five) chapters of our textbook, Alloy, et. al.,. These three are to be only from Chapters 7 through 18 inclusive. Of course there is more to the course and to the book than these chapters. Other material from the book may be used as long as you meet the minimum requirement of these three chapters with careful complete and integrated expositions.

2. The minimum number of references needed for the paper are two for each chapter, one dated after Dec 1996, and another after Dec 1993. Neither of these may be a newspaper or news magazine account nor electronic article without prior approval. Your textbook must be a reference BUT NO OTHER PSYCHOLOGY TEXTBOOK may be referenced without prior approval of the prof. Together with your text you should have no less than eight references in your bibliography and well cited in the body of your paper. The latter point if not addressed is the bases for a low or failing paper grade.

3. If you following the direction indicated in #1 above, course relevance should be assured. (Don’t go astray on this point.)

4. In developing your essay be alert to the opportunity to contrast various psychopathologies. They might be differentially affected by one or more aspects of public policy. Be critically selective about the three chapters so that your choices show off to your best advantage. Your selectivity here will play a role in how easy or difficult the paper is for you to write. [You might want to sketch the whole paper in a flow diagram or outline it to see how well things mesh.] Before you begin to write, think out the paper. Good logical development is a definite plus.

5. Writing mechanics counts importantly. Consult a writer's guide, the Writing Center or the prof for help. References must be listed in a section at the end of the paper and cited in the body of the paper. Spelling, punctuation, page #s, margins, etc. should be taken care of. Get Writing Center help on these matters and remember that a spell checker is not fool proof if you use a correctly spelled word incorrectly. (Their, there, affect, effect, to, too are among the most common errors the prof encounters.)

Some hints:

Your own opinion supported by your references will be considered very seriously and positively. A critique of a position held by one of your references is a good way to respond provided that you are able to support your critique with other references.

Have someone read your paper for logic etc., or if you hand it in before the due date deadline say about April 9^th it will be critiqued and the deadline for you will be extended!

Some find that a good way to begin, is to write an abstract of the paper that includes your exposition of the definition of public policy and the three selections you made showing the interrelation of all. Then write the body of the paper.

DO NOT write three separate mini papers and string them together; it will standout like a sore thumb and require rewriting.

Use the provided check sheet. Keep a copy of preliminary work, any drafts and final copy materials.

Remember this is a written exam as well as a learning exercise.

Summary: Your paper needs to include a definition and explanation of the term public policy, detailed expositions of three selected psychopathologies, and discussion of what the ways are that public policy may impact on a patient with these disorders.

Here are some specific questions to answer. You may develop others.

1. What is the definition of Public Policy.

2. List and describe three forms of psychopathology (from DSM IV) drawing from your text and/or other references for greater specificity.

3. Describe how public policy applies to, interacts with or impacts upon these three.

4. Does public policy conform to modern thought concerning treatment, prevention or cure for each of these psychopathologies.

5. Etc. - formulate your own question(s).

6. Write a brief exposition in which you explain why and how you come to select your public policy issue and why you chose the three types of psychopathology. Summarize what new things you learned about abnormal psychology as you wrote the paper.

7. Keep a log of the time you spent on the paper and submit it with the above in an appendix to the paper.

Most of you will find after you get started how easy it is to ace this assignment!