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TENTATIVE COURSE SYLLABUS
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Psy
265; Sec 507; Schedule Code =
(0246)
Tentative Course Syllabus Summer 2002 Mon through Thurs
333
Instructor:
Stephanie
Taylor, M.A.
Teaching Assistant: Carleton
Dolezal
Instructor’s Office Hours:
Mon and Th
Office Location:
McKee 508 (My name will not appear on the door)
Phone: 351-1145 (my office) ; 351-2957 (psych dept.)
Email: garlic20@yahoo.com
Website: www.psy120.freeservers.com Make sure to click on Social
Psychology!
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on the content and methods of the
field known as social psychology. We will cover a range of topics—please refer
to your textbook’s chapter content pages. We will examine how social
psychological theories have been applied in "real world" settings. We
will also discuss a variety of social psychological research methodologies and
related ethical concerns.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this course is to introduce
the student to the scientific discipline of social psychology. As a result of
taking Psy 265, students should be able to:
1) Develop a critical understanding of the major theoretical
perspectives in social psychology, 2) Understand the effects of the
person-situation interaction, 3) Understand and evaluate a variety of
scientific methodologies employed by social psychologists, 4) Incorporate
knowledge of social psychological terms into own vocabulary, and 5) Demonstrate
ability to think critically about how other people (actual, implied, or
imagined) can influence our behavior, thoughts, and emotions, 6) Improve your
literacy skills—reading and writing, 7) Open your mind to alternative
viewpoints and increase tolerance for differences.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2002). Social Psychology (4th ed.).
REQUIRED NOTEBOOK:
Course Companion written by Stephanie Taylor to accompany lecture.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
NOTE:
DATES THAT UNDERLINED AND IN BOLD PRINT SIGNIFY THAT SOMETHING IS DUE OR AN
EXAM OR QUIZ IS BEING GIVEN.
DATE TOPIC
5/20-5/21 Introduction
& Chapter (C) 1 Introducing Soc
Psych
C2
Research Methodology
5/22-5/29 [NO CLASS ON MON MAY 27TH!]
5/24 DUE: EMAIL ASSIGNMENT FRI MAY 24
C3
Social Cognition (Other People) Part One:
Soc World
C4
Social Cognition (Other People) Part Two: Soc Perception
C5
The Social Self Part One: Self Knowledge
5/28 QUIZ
1 TUE MAY 28 {CHPs 1-4} IN-CLASS!
5/28 DUE: Bring 3 media articles for
MEDIA PORTFOLIO to
class TUE MAY 28
5/30-6/3 C6
The Social Self Part Two: Self Justification and
Self-Esteem
6/4-6/5 C7
Attitudes
6/4 DUE: Bring at least one empirical journal article for MEDIA
PORTFOLIO
to class
6/5 EXAM 1 (CHPs 1-7) TAKE HOME EXAM
DISTRIBUTED
6/6-6/10 C8
Social Influence: Conformity, Compliance, &
Obedience
6/10 DUE
EXAM 1 Mon 6/10 at beginning of class
6/11-6/12 C9
Group Processes
6/13-6/17 C10
Affiliation (The Need to Belong and Be Needed:
Interpersonal
Attraction, Friendship & Love
6/13 DUE:
MEDIA PORTFOLIO DUE @ BEGINNING OF CLASS
6/17 QUIZ2
TUE 6/17 {CHPs 8-10} DISTRIBUTED
6/18 C11
Prosocial Behavior (Altruism/Helping)
6/18 DUE:
QUIZ2 at the beginning of class
6/19-6/24 C12
Aggression
6/20 GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Eugene Sheehan
TOPIC: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
6/25-6/26 C13
Prejudice
6/25 EXAM
2 (CHPs 8-13) TAKE HOME EXAM DISTRIBUTED
6/27 CLASS
PRESENTATIONS (5-6 GROUPS)
6/27
AND 6/28 DUE: EXAM 2 CAN BE TURNED IN EITHER THURS 6/27
BY
REQUIREMENTS
EXAMS: 2 noncumulative exams composed of multiple
choice and short answer questions reflecting information from the assigned
reading in the text and accompanying lectures (includes films & guest
speakers). (80 points
each). See make up information below if you miss exam 1 or 2. Responses
on the short answer type of questions must be written VERY NEATLY in order to
be considered for credit. Please do NOT plan vacations on exam days.
QUIZZES:
2 noncumulative announced quizzes composed of multiple choice and short answer
questions reflecting information from the assigned reading in the text and accompanying
lectures (includes films & guest speakers). (20 points
each). See make up information below if you miss a quiz. Responses on
the short answer type of questions must be written VERY NEATLY in order to be
considered for credit. Please do NOT plan vacation on quiz days.
SPECIAL EXAM REQUESTS
If you need
to take an exam at the DAC (
MAKE-UP EXAM INFO
The only
reason you will be able to make-up a missed exam or quiz is for emergency
purposes. If you are unsure of whether your situation meets the criteria for
the definition of an emergency, consult your student handbook. If your
emergency results in a prolonged absence (more than 3 class days), I recommend
that you contact the Dean of Academic Affairs or the Dean of Student Affairs
(whichever one is more appropriate for your situation). They will then send a
memo to me. You are also expected to call me or have a family member contact me
the day prior to or the day of the exam to inform me of your situation. Do not
wait several days after the exam to notify me of an emergency. If you are sick,
you need a doctor's note to verify your illness. Your word that you were ill,
but not ill enough to seek medical attention will not hold up as an acceptable
excuse. Please keep in mind that I realize each person's situation will be
unique, so I strongly urge you to keep communication lines open with all of
your instructors as it is a courtesy to them and it is
in your best interest.
·
Bring
a #2 pencil for the Scantron forms if they are used. You will answer the
multiple-choice questions on this form. The form will be provided for you.
·
Bring
a pen for the short answer section. It is very important that you write
legibly. If we cannot decipher your writing, your response will be marked
incorrect. We do not have the time or resources to ask you to rewrite your
responses. Plenty of paper will be provided for you, so don’t be afraid to
change your mind, however do so neatly.
·
If
you wear a baseball style hat, you will be asked to remove it or turn it
backwards. We need to see your eyes.
·
When
you enter the classroom, you will need to place your belongings at the front of
the classroom (i.e., purses, jackets, backpacks, notebooks, food).
·
Before
the exam is distributed, we will as a class engage in
a relaxation technique.
·
Do
NOT talk. Do NOT initiate conversation; do NOT respond to a question. Raise
your hand and I and/or the assistants will come to you. We will provide tissues
if you need to blow your nose. Use the restroom before taking the exam.
·
Do
NOT arrive late. If you arrive late, you will lose 10 pts off your exam. If you
believe you have a valid reason for being late, come see me during my office
hours to discuss your situation.
SUMMER 2002 DO READ THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION!
·
Study
for at least 1 ˝ hours for 4-5 days prior to the exam. Read your
textbook. Review your notes. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a well-balanced
diet. Do what you can to come to the exam in a good frame of mind.
·
We
welcome you to meet with us for a note-taking consultation. We will review your
notes for organization, content, clarity, etc. Your notes will be a very
important study tool for enhancing learning effectiveness.
·
Obviously
earning strong grades plays a significant role in opening doors for you in your
future. However, if you are so blinded by see the glistening “A” at the end of
the tunnel, you will miss the importance of the GREATER GOAL. Your priority
should be learning goals, not performance goals. In other words, the letter
grade is a reflection of the knowledge you have acquired.
Ask yourself, Are you:
6. capable of making a critical
judgment based on internal (using logic, coherence, scientific precision) &
external criteria (comparing a situation or phenomena with other similar
situations or phenomena)?
[Evaluation]
EX: Debate
the consequences of using Operant Conditioning techniques on domestic and
exotic animals in a zoo setting.
EX: Evaluate the usefulness of using Albert Bandura’s Social Learning
Theory to explain how prosocial (i.e., charitable) behaviors are elicited in
young children.
EX: Judge the effects of erroneous eyewitness testimony on the
credibility of the
5. capable of accomplishing a personal task after devising a
plan of action?
[Synthesis]
EX: Prepare
a report on the consequences of effective and ineffective uses of reinforcement
and punishment in child care situations for the Little
4. capable of identifying the elements, relationships, and
organizational principles of a situation? [Analysis]
EX: Break
down the process of Classical Conditioning into its constituent parts (Neutral
Stimulus, Unconditioned Stimulus, etc.) using a concrete example.
3. capable of remembering knowledge or principles in order
to solve a problem?
[Application]
EX: Which
research method would be most appropriate for investigating the relationship
between being intoxicated (drugs/alcohol) and being sexually assaulted?
2. capable of transposing, interpreting, and extrapolating
from a certain body of knowledge? [Comprehension]
EX: Explain
how George Sperling discovered the existence of Sensory Memory as a separate
memory system.
1. capable of recalling words,
facts, dates, conventions, classifications, principles, theories, etc.
[Knowledge]
EX: What is
the theory called that explains humans will have better recall for information
they process at deeper levels?
You might have noticed that the above Taxonomy of Learning
Objectives began at #1 (at the bottom—the foundation) with more basic learning
objectives and transitioned—or progressed into more sophisticated learning
objectives. Perhaps this is an overly simplistic explanation of the above process, however this process demonstrates how expertise in
any given field is attained.
If you are 18-years-old or older, your neurological
functioning is at the developmental stage in which you are cognitively prepared
to undertake increasingly sophisticated learning challenges. Higher Education
is not about making you feel comfortable. Higher Education is about introducing
subject matter in a manner that makes you slightly uncomfortable while showing
you the tools to think, problem solve, and so on so that you rise to the
challenges and come back hungry for more challenges.
EMAIL ASSIGNMENT: Each student is expected to have email capabilities. This
service is offered to students from UNC at no charge. You will be expected to
email me by Friday May 24th.
You should be able to find your email address on Webster, the web access
service accessible via www.unco.edu or www.registrar.unco.edu,
the Registrar's Office home page. You should also be able to go to Bear Logic
on the lower level of the
1)
What you are especially interested in learning more about in this class. Be
specific.
2)
Something interesting about yourself (i.e., special
talents/interests/goals/accomplishments, how many brothers and sisters you
have, what your favorite food is, etc.)
3)
A website address and brief description of a site that will be useful to social
psychology students.
IMPORTANT: When
you email me it must be from your own address, not a friend or family member!
(10 points) Again, my email address is garlic20@yahoo.com
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT: MEDIA PORTFOLIO
The
purpose of this project is to encourage the student to use critical thinking in
order to evaluate how social psychological issues are presented in the
media. Find one newspaper or magazine clipping that pertains to a psychological
issue. The clipping must relate to a topic in your book or a lecture topic in
class. The clipping must be referenced (author(s), date, source, title).
Next,
you will conduct a computerized literature search of an empirical
psychological journal article using Psychological Abstracts (abstract is a
special word for summary) on CD-ROM (near Reference Desk in Michener Library)
in the library (NOT ON THE INTERNET). We will discuss what an empirical journal
article is during the first week of class. Note that a good heuristic to use is
that an empirical article will most likely have an introduction, methods,
results, and discussion section. More information specific to library research
will be provided in class.
Use
the computers attached to a printer! You will need to include a copy of the
corresponding printout in your portfolio. Consult the "red book" to
see if our library carries that particular journal or click on the link, “Find
in UNC.” The librarians will show you where the red book is located (near the
reference desk) and/or help you find the “Find in UNC” link. Like most
libraries, UNC’s psychology journal holdings are limited, so you may find that
you will need to go through Interlibrary Loan (I.L.L.) to request the article
you want. BE AWARE THAT THIS PROCESS CAN SOMETIMES TAKE 2 WEEKS OR MORE—PLAN
AHEAD! I. L.L. is located on the main floor of Michener.
It
is very important that you begin this assignment in a timely fashion. This is
not a project that you want to save for the night before. This assignment is an
excellent opportunity for you to learn how to use electronic sources in the
library to search for information in which you are interested. The skills you
learn for this assignment will be of great value to you throughout your entire
life!
You
are expected to type a well-written 4-5 page paper that will include the
following information: (a) references of media article, journal article, and
textbook, (b) summary of media article, (c) summary of journal article, (d) 2-3
paragraphs of a three-way connection among your media article, your journal
article, and the textbook (must include chapter numbers) or lecture (must
include the date and speaker).
You
must also include the following in your media portfolio: (a) copy of the
computer printout that corresponds to the journal article search, (b) complete
copy or original of the media article, and (c) complete copy of journal
article, this means from title page to the last reference! If your computer
printout states that your article is from page 431 to 459, then all those pages
must be accounted for. Do not plagiarize! Plagiarism refers to using ideas or
writings, etc. and passing them off as your own ideas or work. When you
summarize written material, you need to use your own words. The consequences of
plagiarizing may range from receiving an F for this course to being expelled
from this university!
You
will meet in collaborative learning groups to exchange ideas and check
progress.
Tues 5/28 you will need to bring 3 media articles to class with you.
Make sure that you have the reference information for each article (worth 10
pts of the 120).
Tues 6/4 you will need to bring at least one empirical journal
article to class with you. Make sure that you have the reference information
for each article (worth 10 pts of the 120).
(120 pts TOTAL) Due THURS 6/13. **It
is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with library research
procedures. The
More
information will be given in class & through email or website. J
PROJECT TWO: GROUP
PRESENTATION (Due date will vary)
In groups of 3-4, you
will present information on a social psychological topic to the class. Each
person will be expected to speak. Your group will be expected to be
well-prepared, professional—in demeanor and dress, use visual aids, adhere to
time-limits, prepare a 1 page handout for each member in the class and the
instructors & assistants. The presentation will need to consist of
information gathered from reliable sources such as scientific journal articles,
psychology books (textbooks are ok). Proof of sources will need to be accounted
for. You will evaluate yourself, be evaluated by your group members in which you apply principles of group processes, be evaluated
by your classmates, and be evaluated by the instructor and assistants.
One group will be
assigned per topic. Topics may include (additional topics will be
forthcoming):
˙
Causes of self-fulfilling prophecy and
ways to increase awareness to reduce the effects of SFP.
˙
How can principles of social cognition
(how we think about the world) be applied to increase
critical thinking and therefore reduce thinking errors that can have harmful
consequences in our social interactions.
˙
How to use nonverbal behavior to
influence others
˙
Applying attribution theory to a couple
of specific situations (i.e., Why did Queen Elizabeth stay at Balmoral prior to
Princess Diana’s funeral when the British citizens strongly believed she should
have been in
˙
What should you do and not do when
striving to make a positive first impression.
˙
How will knowing ourselves more
accurately help us in our social interactions with others?
˙
Apply cognitive dissonance theory to a
specific situation (i.e., quitting smoking, promiscuous sexual activity)
˙
Why is it that people who are perceived
to be victims are also more likely to be denigrated?
˙
How should you go about changing
others’ attitudes regarding—abortion, gun control, vaccinations, buying a
gas-guzzling SUV, etc.
˙
How do you know if you or someone you
know is in a cult?
˙
What are some successful techniques for
increasing conformity to health-promoting social norms such as responsible
alcohol consumption?
˙
What are some causes and preventative
measures of road rage?
˙
What are some causes and preventative
measures of prejudice?
(50 pts.)
Due dates will vary depending on topic.
More
information will be provided in class & through email or website. J
CLASS PARTICIPATION
See: First Day of Class Businessŕ
Class Attendance for detailed information on what is expected of you regarding
your presence in class. Above and beyond attending class, you are expected to
participate in discussions, share examples/stories when appropriate, ask and
answer questions, volunteer for demonstrations, participate in activities, etc..
LARGE GROUP AND SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS:
·
Large group -
Everyone is expected to participate in class discussions. The discussions allow
you the freedom to discuss psychological problems that confuse you or that
you’ve always wondered about. Please be courteous to your fellow classmates and
instructor (use appropriate language and behavior).
·
Small group -
Sometimes we will break down into groups of 5 or so and discuss a list of
questions and puzzles that are given to you. The purpose of this smaller
discussion is to encourage you to actively use your critical thinking skills
and cooperate with others on problem solving tasks.
GUIDELINES:
·
Emergencies are events that occur over which the student has no control
and that would seriously impair your ability to perform on the
examination.
·
In the event
that you miss class or miss an exam it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact
me.
·
Psychology is
governed by strong ethical principles. Personal integrity and honesty are
expected and highly respected throughout the discipline. Therefore study with a
buddy, but keep your eyes on your own test. Go to the library with a buddy, but
write your own paper. If a student violates these ethical principles, possible
consequences may include: immediate failure
on the exam, immediate failure of the entire course, or dismissal from the
university. So prepare ahead of time and you won't be tempted to create lies.
Don't compound the agony of receiving a bad grade with lying to try to fix it.
·
Every
assignment must be typed and font size no less than 12 point.
I prefer Arial.
·
You may turn
in assignments early, but no later than the due date.
·
If you belong
to a group (sports, arts, Greeks, etc.) and you have an announcement regarding
encouraging, inviting people to your event let me know and you can announce it
at the beginning of class.
LATE WORK: will receive 0
points although it will still receive feedback if you wish. Athletes,
performers, etc. turn your work in early if you have a schedule conflict.
ASSESSMENT
The
Quality of Your Learning will be Assessed
Keep Track of Your Scores Here
as Follows:
Exams: 2 @ 80 pts
each = 160
Quizzes: 2 @ 20 pts
each =
40
Media Portfolio @ 120
pts = 120
Class Presentation @ 50 pts = 50
Email Assignment @ 10
pts =
10
Class Participation
(subtract 15 pts for each
class day—or part of—m issed after 4 days)
Total 380
Extra credit is not
available for this course. Put all of your energy & concentration toward
the skills necessary to effectively learn the concepts as evaluated by the
above assessments.
I do not grade on a
curve.
STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES
Students with
disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact the
Psychology Dept: 351-2957 UNC
Bookstore: 1-2135
Campus Info: 1-1890 DMV:
352-5845
GQA / GGLBTA (
Bisexual Transgender
Michener Library 1-2671 Rocky Mtn Shuttle: 356-3366
Detox (open 24 hours, 7 days a week): 356-6664 Bookstop: 356-1687
CLOSING REMARKS
I expect
and want you each to do well in this course. If, at any time during the
semester, you think that you not demonstrating the level of understanding that
you expect of yourself (and that higher education expects of you), please get
in touch with me via email or phone or during my office hours. If you would
just like to chit chat that’s great too! Come talk to me about getting involved
in research, getting into graduate school, etc. I’m here to help and I love
psychology!