PTSD and Combat-Related Trauma – CRIS 304

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

An examination and analysis of the causes, symptoms and treatments of PTSD and Combat-related PTSD, taking into account the latest research in the field and examining the affective, behavioral, cognitive and spiritual challenges faced by survivors.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

More than half of all Americans experience traumatic stress and may develop Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In certain groups, (first responders, military, rape and violent crime victims, etc.) exposure and contraction rates are much higher. The Pentagon recently stated that at least 30% of returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from Combat-related PTSD. Professional counselors and pastors will face the challenge of counseling and assisting individuals and families affected by PTSD at an ever-increasing rate. Due to the nature of the disorder, specific knowledge is needed to assist clients and parishioners in this area.

Course Assignment

Textbook reading and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are a collaborative learning experience. Therefore, the student is required to complete 3 Discussions in this course Discussions are the online version of classroom discussion. Each Discussion has two parts. (1.) Each student will start a thread with an original post on the assigned topic of the module . Each student must use APA style citations from various sources (textbooks, articles, etc.) to validate his/her writing. Thread must be at least 200 words. (2.) Each student must post a reply to another student’s thread, using etiquette, as outlined in the syllabus. Each reply must be at least 100 words. Posting in reply to a comment to the student's thread does not count as a reply. (CLO A, B, C, D, E, F)

Case Study Assignment

The student will review and summarize a case study to demonstrate his/her ability to identify symptoms of PTSD and to recommend empirically-based treatment. In addition, the student will identify and describe three resources in his/her community or state that would be helpful to the person described in the case study. Submit the Case Study Paper in APA-format. The paper must be 500-750 words with 3-4 citations included. (CLO A, B, C, D, E, F)

Research Paper Proposal Assignment

The student will choose from a list of research topics and submit a Research Paper Proposal of at least 250 words. The proposal will provide a brief summary of the topic chosen for the Research Paper. The Research Paper Proposal must include an APA-formatted title page. (CLO A, C, D, E, F)

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

The student will submit an Annotated Bibliography Assignment in preparation for the Research Paper Assignment. Each annotation must provide a 2–3-sentence summary for each source in current APA format. The Annotated Bibliography Assignment must include at least 5 scholarly sources in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. At least two of these should be from professional journals. (CLO D, E, F)

Research Paper Assignment

Utilizing information presented in in the student's texts as well as theoretical and practical elements from academic and Christian sources, compile an original paper of from 8-10 pages of body text, in APA style, which summarizes the student's understanding of PTSD and spirituality in general, or PTSD and spirituality shown in relationship to some major aspect. Address factors necessary for successfully coping with the effects of PTSD, and spiritual and professional approaches to treatment. A minimum of 5 scholarly sources (books and journal articles) is required in addition to the textbooks (if the student chooses to cite these). Grades will be assigned based on quality of content, how well APA guidelines are adhered to, the richness of citations utilized, quality of expression, and biblical integration presented. (CLO A, C, D, E, F)

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material and some presentations (see course content for details) for the assigned module/week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 25 multiple-choice questions, T/F questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO A, B, C, D, E, F)