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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PS 337 H"
COURSE NAME: "Stereotyping, Prejudice and Discrimination - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Angelo Brandelli Costa
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 6:00-7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
New Prerequisites: PS 334 or permission of instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to familiarize students with basic psychological theory and research on intergroup relations, prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination, so that they can: (1) evaluate and analyze the scientific merit of this research, and (2) apply this research to real world. The goals of this course are to expose students to the core issues, phenomena, and concepts that researchers in this field are attempting to understand and to promote critical thinking about research in this area.
Satisfies "Sociocultural Area" core course requirement for Psychological Science majors.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Central topics will include (but will not be limited to) prejudice (including contemporary forms of prejudice), stereotyping, stigma and discrimination, racism, sexism, and how they can be reduced, by exploring research on techniques for improving intergroup relations. The class will devote considerable attention to the issue of diversity. Focusing on diversity will facilitate students’ understanding of prejudice and discrimination towards diverse groups, ultimately preparing them to better confront the challenges and opportunities of living in a diverse social reality.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn about current scientific theory and research in the psychology of prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping and diversity. They will develop the skills necessary to evaluate and critically think about research in psychology and will be encouraged to think about how the psychological research can help us understand and explain current forms of prejudice and reduce discrimination.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Tests | The test category includes two non-cumulative midterms, each covering approximately 1/2 of the course material, and a cumulative final. Tests will be a combination of multiple choice and open ended questions. The lowest of the three exam scores will be dropped. Students need to take AT LEAST 2 out of 3 exams to pass the class. Your grade for the category will be based on these 2 tests. NO MAKE UP will be allowed for any reasons. | 60% |
| Paper Presentations | Students will be required to present two articles to the class, one article to be chosen among the additional readings, and one article chosen according to students’ interests. In the presentations students will summarize the article main points as well as evaluate the article’s strengths and weaknesses and its contribution to our understanding of the topic. This assignment can be carried out individually or in pairs. 20% | 20% |
| Group Project | For the group project, student will design an intervention aimed at reducing prejudice and discrimination against a target group of their choice by promoting Understanding, Awareness, Empathy, and Acceptance. Students are encouraged to find creative ways to develop their project. | 20% |
| HONORS | in order to receive honors in this course, the student will need to obtain a grade of B or higher on an extra assignment. This will generally consist in a research paper/presentation on a topic of interest to the student, that will be discussed with the instructor on the first week of class. NOTE: your grade for the class will be independent of receiving the honors. | + |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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| Week |
Topic |
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1
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Introduction to PS 337 |
| Defining Diversity, Prejudice, Discrimination, Stereotypes, Tolerance and... |
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2
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The pre-history of prejudice 1 |
| The pre-history of prejudice 2 |
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3
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The pre-history of prejudice 3 |
| Putting everything together |
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4
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Exam 1 |
| Project Review |
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5
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Prejudice as a scientific category 1 |
| Prejudice as a scientific category 2 |
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6
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Prejudice as a scientific category 3 |
| Prejudice as a scientific category 4 |
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7
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Putting everything together |
| EXAM 2 |
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8
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Authoritarianism today |
| The impact of prejudice on its victims |
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9
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Paper Presentation 1 |
| Project Review |
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10
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Sexuality |
| Body Type |
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11
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Paper Presentation 2 |
| HIV/AIDS |
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12
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Gender |
| Paper Presentation 3 |
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13
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Project Review |
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14
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Group Project Presentations |
| Group Project Presentations |
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15
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EXAM 3
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