BCS 242: Syllabus

Spring 2010

Time & Location

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:50 - 6:05 PM, Morey 321

General Overview

This course will introduce the student to the field of clinical neuropsychology, which bridges the domains of neurology, neuroscience and clinical psychology. It begins with a general overview and history of clinical neuropsychology. Then, principles of neuropsychological assessment and the assessment and interpretation of specific cognitive domains and the neuropsychological tests used to assess these domains will be reviewed. The remainder of the course will be "syndrome" oriented and will feature guest lectures by local clinical neuropsychologists on the specific syndromes and domains in which they specialize: dementia, stroke, epilepsy, head trauma, pediatric neuropsychology, and forensic neuropsychology.

Some of the information covered in the reading will not be directly discussed in the classroom. Therefore, it is your responsibility to read all of the assigned readings. You will be examined on this material.

Personnel

John Langfitt (Instructor)
Office: Med Center 6-6240 (email for directions)
E-mail:
Phone: 275-9495
Office Hours: By appointment

Lizz Karuza (TA)
Office: Meliora 418
Email:
Office Hours: Wednesdays at 4:00 - 5:00 PM, or by appointment

Required Readings

There is no required text. Required readings through mid-February are on the Blackboard site, in the Readings under the Course Materials tab under PDF files. The remainder of the readings will be finalized and uploaded shortly after the first class. Click on the appropriate icons to access course reserves and other materials. References for texts from which multiple readings are taken are:

Lezak, MD. (1995) Neuropsychological Assessment (3rd ed.), Oxford: New York.
Elias, LJ & Saucier, DM. (2006) Neuropsychology: Clinical and Experimental Foundations, Allyn & Bacon: Boston.
Ricker, JH (ed.). (2004) Differential Diagnosis in Adult Neuropsychological Assessment. Springer: New York.
Rains, GD (2002) Principles of Human Neuropsychology. McGraw-Hill: New York.

Grading

Grades will be determined from four, in-class examinations. Due to the size of the class, there will be no term paper or "extra credit" paper. Examinations consist of multiple choice, short essay questions and 1-2 long essays. The material on the exams will be determined from what we cover in class AND reading assignments. The examinations are not cumulative, but you are expected to understand the basic concepts from previous lectures.

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