PSYC 636 is Liberty's graduate course on mental health and aging. Its written work is a treatment paper on a mental health condition in older adults built in stages (a 4-article annotated bibliography, a community resource map with at least 10 entries and a 9-page final paper), two article critiques, and four forums (a 300-word thread with the textbook, the Bible and a scholarly source, then two 150-word replies).
Liberty's catalog lists the course as PSYC 636 Geropsychology, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as PSYC636.
What PSYC 636 covers
The catalog description: Review of empirical literature in gerontology. Topics include cognition, personality and adjustment, physical change, social roles, and more. (Crosslisted with MSPS 657 )
The course examines adult development and aging with a focus on mental health: physical and cognitive change, psychological disorders in later life, treatment and the community services older adults rely on. The text is Whitbourne and Whitbourne, Adult Development and Aging: Biopsychosocial Perspectives, with readings by Koenig and by Zimmer and colleagues in Week 8.
Eight quizzes (240 points) have no guide here. Each week after Week 1 runs Tuesday to Monday, and the final week ends Friday.
Textbook named in the published guide: Whitbourne & Whitbourne, Adult Development and Aging (2017). Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
PSYC 636 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 60 | Thread 300 words; replies 150 words each |
| 2 | Article Critique 1 | 90 | Not set in the guide; follow the critique instructions |
| 3 | Discussion Board Forum 2 | 60 | Thread 300 words; replies 150 words each |
| 3 | Treatment Paper Annotated Bibliography | 60 | 4 annotations of 150 words each |
| 4 | Article Critique 2 | 90 | Not set in the guide; follow the critique instructions |
| 5 | Discussion Board Forum 3 | 60 | Thread 300 words; replies 150 words each |
| 6 | Treatment Paper Community Resource Map | 80 | At least 10 entries |
| 7 | Treatment Paper Final Submission | 200 | 9 pages: abstract of 150 to 250 words, 7-page body, reference page |
| 8 | Discussion Board Forum 4 | 60 | Thread 300 words; replies 150 words each |
Week 1: Discussion Board Forum 1
A 300-word thread citing the textbook, the Bible and a scholarly source, then two 150-word replies. How to write PSYC 636 Week 1 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 2: Article Critique 1
A critique of a research article on aging and mental health, following the instructions in the course. How to write PSYC 636 Week 2 Article Critique 1.
Week 3: Discussion Board Forum 2
A 300-word thread citing the textbook, the Bible and a scholarly source, then two 150-word replies. How to write PSYC 636 Week 3 Discussion Board Forum 2.
Week 3: Treatment Paper Annotated Bibliography
Annotations of 150 words for each of 4 peer-reviewed articles on treatments for your selected condition in older adults. How to write PSYC 636 Week 3 Treatment Paper Annotated Bibliography.
Week 4: Article Critique 2
A critique of a research article on aging and mental health, following the instructions in the course. How to write PSYC 636 Week 4 Article Critique 2.
Week 5: Discussion Board Forum 3
A 300-word thread citing the textbook, the Bible and a scholarly source, then two 150-word replies. How to write PSYC 636 Week 5 Discussion Board Forum 3.
Week 6: Treatment Paper Community Resource Map
A community resource map listing at least 10 local services that help older adults meet common needs related to your treatment topic. How to write PSYC 636 Week 6 Treatment Paper Community Resource Map.
Week 7: Treatment Paper Final Submission
A 9-page APA treatment paper on a mental health condition in older adults, with a 150 to 250-word abstract, a 7-page body and at least 4 references plus the textbook and the Bible. How to write PSYC 636 Week 7 Treatment Paper Final Submission.
Week 8: Discussion Board Forum 4
A 300-word thread citing the textbook, the Bible and a scholarly source, then two 150-word replies. How to write PSYC 636 Week 8 Discussion Board Forum 4.
How PSYC 636 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The four forums are 60 each (240), the two article critiques 90 each (180), the treatment paper's annotated bibliography 60, community resource map 80 and final submission 200, quizzes 240 and the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Board Forums (4) | 240 |
| Article Critiques (2) | 180 |
| Treatment Paper Annotated Bibliography | 60 |
| Treatment Paper Community Resource Map | 80 |
| Treatment Paper Final Submission | 200 |
| Quizzes (8) | 240 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 920 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach PSYC 636
Choose the mental health condition for your treatment paper by Week 2, such as late-life depression, anxiety, dementia-related behavior or substance misuse; the annotated bibliography is due in Week 3.
The community resource map needs at least 10 real local resources, so start collecting them early.
Questions students ask
What is the PSYC 636 treatment paper?
A paper on treating a mental health condition in older adults, built in stages: an annotated bibliography of 4 peer-reviewed articles (150 words each), a community resource map of at least 10 entries, and a 9-page final paper with a 150 to 250-word abstract, a 7-page body and at least 4 references plus the textbook and the Bible.
How long are PSYC 636 forum posts?
Threads are 300 words with at least 2 citations including the textbook, the Bible and a scholarly reference; each of 2 replies is 150 words.
Working through PSYC 636 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.