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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PS 334"
COURSE NAME: "Social Psychology"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Castelli Paola
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: PS 210
OFFICE HOURS: TTH 4:30-6:00pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to research in social psychology. Specifically the goal will be to explain how our thoughts, feelings, and behavior are influenced by the presence of others.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Central topics will include (but will not be limited to) social cognition, attitudes and persuasion, stereotyping and discrimination, group behavior, social influence, helping behavior, love and attraction.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will learn about current scientific theory and research in social psychology. They will develop the skills necessary to evaluate and critically think about research in psychology and will be encouraged to think about how social psychology research can help us understand and explain everyday events.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Social PsychologyD. G. MyersMcGraw-Hill9780071220002     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Exams<p>You have to take <span style="text-decoration: underline;">3 exams</span>. Failure to do so, will result in an F. Exams will cover the assigned textbook readings, lectures, and the films occasionally shown in class. The exams will be <strong>non-cumulative</strong> midterm examinations (each covering approximately 1/3 of the course material).Each exam will be based on short essay questions, and will be worth 30 points. </p> <p style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"> <strong>Please note:</strong> Although lectures will mostly cover topics from the reading, they will NOT review EVERYTHING that is in the book. Similarly, lectures will often contain ADDITIONAL information (i.e., information not found in the reading) that will be included on the exams. If you carefully READ and STUDY the assigned readings for the course and ATTEND the lectures you should have no problem.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Make-up exams Policy</strong></p> <p>I understand that scheduling conflicts, emergencies, or other unforeseeable circumstances (e.g., death in the family, oversleeping on exam day, traffic problems, etc.) may occur at some point during the semester, and you might have to miss an exam. If this happens, you will have to take the MAKE-UP exam during final&rsquo;s week.The make-up exam will be cumulative. It will cover anything that was covered throughout the semester.<strong> </strong>Please do not ask me about make up exams during the semester, because I will simply refer you to the class policy on this issue.</p> <p> </p>30%
Writing assignmentsYour grade for this course will also be based on short writing assignments (tot 60 points). Details about the assignments will be discussed on the first day of class. A handout with specific instructions for each of the assignment will also be available on the course website.20%
Pop quizzes<p>Review quizzes will be administered in class approximately every two weeks. Each quiz will consist of a variable number of multiple-choice questions that review the material/concepts covered in the preceding classes. </p> <p><strong>There will be a total of 6 pop-quizzes, which sum up to 60 points</strong>. </p> <p>Your lowest grade on the quizzes will be dropped. There will be <span style="text-decoration: underline;">no make-up</span> quizzes. </p> <p>If you miss class on a day when a pop-quiz is administered, that will be your dropped score.</p> Pop quizzes will mostly be administered at the beginning of the class period. It is your responsibility to arrive in class ON TIME.20%
Group projectFor this class, you will be also required to complete a group project. Details will be provided on the first day of class, and instructions will be posted on the course website as well.30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

The final grade for the course will be based on your THREE exams, 6 (out of 7) pop quizzes, short writing assignments, and a group project. 

Summary of points for the course:

Exams                          90 (30 pts x 3 exams)

Pop-quizzes                   60 (12 pts x quiz)

Writing Assignments     60

Group Project                90 (30+30+30)

__________________________________ 

Total                  300

Grades will be assigned according to the following point breakdown:

300 possible points:

270-300 points             A- to A        (90-100%)

240-269 points             B- to B+      (80-89%)

210-239 points             C- to C+       (70-79%)

180-209 points             D- to D+       (60-69%)

179 points and below          F             (Below 59%) 

I will assign + and – letter grades when students are within 1 percentage point of the cutoff score. Therefore, for example, a B+ = 88-89% (264-269 pts.) and a B- = 80-81%. (240-245 pts.)


A. Work 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. 

B. This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C. This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. 

D. This 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.

F. This 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 is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged. If you miss a lecture, you miss almost 20% of the material that will be covered on the next exam (so you can expect to get at least one grade lower than if you had come to class!). Moreover, some material - such as videos, in-depth description of studies, and examples – will only be presented in class.

 

Please do not arrive late and/or plan to leave early. It will be disruptive to everyone. In addition, you’ll be missing important information that is usually given in the first and last minutes of lecture.

 

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.
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.

SCHEDULE

 

Date

Topic

Readings

week 1

4 sept

Intro

 

 

6 sept

Research methods

Chapter 1

week 2

11 sept

The self

Chapter 2

 

13 sept

 

 

week 3

18 sept

Beliefs & Judgment

Chapter 3

 

20 sept

 

 

 

21 sept

NOTE: MAKE-UP DAY

 

week 4

25 sept

Behavior & attitudes

Chapter 4

 

27 sept

 

 

week 5

2ott

Exam 1

 

 

4 ott

Conformity

 Chapter 6

week 6

9 oct

Obedience

 Chapter 6

 

11 oct

 

 

 

12 oct

NOTE: MAKE-UP DAY

 

week 7

16 oct

Persuasion

 Chapter 7

 

18 oct

 

 

week 8

23 oct

Group Influence

Chapter 8

 

25 oct

 

 

week 9

30ott

Stereotype

Project proposal due

Chapter 9

 

1 nov

HOLYDAY

 

Week 10

6 nov

Exam 2

 

 

 

Prejudice

Chapter 9

week 11

13 nov

 Attraction & Intimacy

Chapter 11

 

15 nov

 

 

week 12

20 nov

Helping

Chapter 12

 

22 nov

THANKSGIVING DAY

 

week 13

27 nov

Social Psych & Law-Review

Chapter 14

 

29 nov

Final presentations

 

week 14

4 dec

Final presentations

 

 

6 dec

EXAM 3