Identification
Course outline
Subject
(code, title, credits)
Department
PLTS 410: Political Sociology
3KU / 6ECTS credits
16 weeks, 64 hours
Program
(undergraduate, graduate)
Political Science and International Relations
Advanced undergraduate
Term
Instructor
E-mail:
Spring 2015
Elsevar Mammadov elsevar.mammadov@yahoo.com
Phone:
Classroom/hours 11 Mehseti str. (Neftchilar campus), Room 301N, Wednesday
18:30-20:30
Office hours by appointment
Prerequisites There are no formal prerequisites for this course. No mathematical knowledge beyond what is typically taught in high school (such as algebra) is required; additional concepts that may be used in class will be introduced and discussed at length as we go along, particularly in section.
Language English
Compulsory/Elective Required
Required textbooks and course materials
Core textbook:
Cottam, M. L., Dietz-Uhler, B., Mastors, E., & Preston, T. (Eds.). (2010). Introduction to political psychology (ITPP) . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
When one hears the term, political psychology, one might envision the study of elections, campaigns, and voting behavior. Although not inaccurate, this perception excludes a broad range of topics that fall within the purview of political psychology.
Throughout the course will examine the interaction of political and psychological processes and their impact on behavior in both our local and global communities.
Course objectives
Learning outcomes
This course offers a broad overview of political psychology at the undergraduate level.
The basic objectives of the course are threefold. First, it introduces important concepts from psychology, offering new ways of thinking about subjects as varied as personality, the dynamics of social groups, and the ways in which emotion affects decision making. Second, it applies these concepts to various topics within political science, including the media and political advertising, race relations, the legitimacy of government institutions, and the formation of opinions and ideologies, as a means of providing a new perspective on how to understand the political world around us. And third, by describing political psychology experimentation in detail, the course teaches about how the scientific method can be applied to the study of politics.
At the end of the semester students successfully completed the course are expected to:
Teaching methods
Evaluation a) develop a deeper understanding of the political psychology including the basic principles and procedures of the course b) understand different concepts in political psychology: personality, social group dynamics, emptions affecting decision making
Lecture
Group discussion
X
X
Experiential exercise
Case analysis
Simulation
Course paper
Others ( internet resources, hand-outs and supplementary materials )
Methods
Midterm Exam
Date/deadlines
X
X
X
X
X
Percentage (%)
30
1

Policy
Case studies
Class Participation
Assignment and quizzes
Project
Presentation/Group
Discussion
Final Exam
Others
5
15
10
40
Total 100
Class Presentation: Each student will be assigned a particular chapter from which to base their presentation. You can select to present on anything within that chapter. In other words, you are not presenting on the entire chapter but rather just a topic (of your choice) from within that chapter. You are to present the topic, add additional information based on the research literature, provide a short handout for the class, and present to the class (PowerPoint is preferable). Your presentation will be worth 10% of your final grade.
Examinations: The two exams are designed to test for basic understanding of core concepts and ideas. They will cover material presented in class, readings, and discussion. Totally both exams will be worth 65% of your final grade.
Term Paper: Students will be required to write a term paper of 12-15 pages
(approximately 3500 to 4300 words). The purpose of the paper is to provide you, the student, with an opportunity to explore an another area of political psychology, in depth. Paper topics must be approved by the instructor. NOTE: All paper proposals must be submitted via e-mail (elsevar.mammadov@yahoo.com) to the instructor by
March 2. Paper topics that have not been approved will not be accepted.
All exams will be in written and subject to time change.
Make-up Exam Policy: There are no previously scheduled make-up exams. Students missing both midterm and final exam will automatically be failed, even though they possess a valid excuse. Students missing either midterm or final exam and possess a valid excuse meeting University set standards will be required to take another exam where the questions will completely be different. Same applies for the quizzes. I strongly recommend students to take the exams on scheduled time.
Academic misconduct
Academic honesty plays an essential part in maintaining the integrity of Khazar
University. Students are expected to recognize and uphold high standards of intellectual and academic integrity. The following acts are examples of academic dishonesty, therefore are strictly forbidden and will, if proven, be penalized:
plagiarism,
cheating,
unauthorized collaboration,
falsification,
multiple submissions.
On plagiarism:
Plagiarism is unethical and an offence under the University regulations. Please familiarize yourself with the regulations relating to plagiarism and cheating in examinations.
Plagiarism is copying other people's work without proper attribution. The students
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committing plagiarism and the students providing materials for plagiarizing will automatically receive a zero (0) for the assignment. Students must always indicate that they used someone else's words and ideas if they have done so, by using quotation marks and mentioning the source in the text or a footnote. A bibliography must also follow after the end of your essays.
Rules of Professional Conduct
The students shall behave in the way to create favorable academic and professional environment during the class hours. Unauthorized discussions and unethical behavior are strictly prohibited. Classroom behavior that seriously interferes with either (a) the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of other students to benefit from the course program will not be tolerated. When a student’s behavior in a class is so seriously disruptive as to compel immediate action, the instructor has the authority to remove a student from the class on an interim basis, pending an informal hearing on the behavior.
Tentative Schedule
Topics Textbook/Assignments
1
2
3
4
Date/Day
(tentative)
28.01
04.02
11.02
18.02
Course overview and Introduction
Reading: ITPP Chapter 1 Introduction to Political Psychology: What is Political
Psychology? Key Terms
Personality and Politics Reading: ITPP Chapter 2
Cognition, Emotions, and Attitudes in Political
Psychology
Reading: ITPP Chapter 3
Social Identities and the Political Psychology of Groups Reading: ITPP Chapter 4 5
6
7
8
25.02
04.03
11.03
18.03
Midterm Exam
Social Identities and the Political Psychology of Groups
(Continuation)
The Study of Political Leaders
Reading: ITPP Chapter 4
Reading: ITPP Chapter 5
9 25.03
10 01.04
11 08.04
12 15.04
13 22.04
14 29.04
15 06.05
Novruz
Voting, Role of the Media, and Tolerance
Political Psychology of Race and Ethnicity
Reading: ITPP Chapter 6
Reading: ITPP Chapter 7
Political Psychology of Race and Ethnicity (Continuation) Reading: ITPP Chapter 7
Political Psychology of Nationalism Reading: ITPP Chapter 8
Political Psychology of Political Extremists Reading: ITTP Chapter 9
Political Psychology of International Security and Conflict Reading: ITPP Chapters
10
Final Exam
This syllabus is a guide for the course and any modifications to it will be announced in advance.
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