SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS
University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor
Voyage: Summer 2014
Discipline: Psychology
PSYC 2600: Introduction to Social Psychology
Lower Division
Faculty Name: Richard D. Barnes
Credit Hours: 3; Contact Hours: 38
Pre-requisites: Introduction to Psychology
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Social psychology is the scientific study of social behavior, including the best of human behavior
(romantic attraction and helping) and the worst (aggression, prejudice, and conformity). Social
psychologists are interested in the way people’s thoughts and beliefs influence their behavior
(social thinking); the way people persuade and affect each other (social influence); and in the
way people interact and form relationships (social relations). In this course we will use readings,
discussion, and observation of behavior on board the MV Explorer and in the cultures we visit to
learn ways of exploring social behavior. In particular, we will focus on cultural differences in
nonverbal communication, interpersonal attraction, conformity, and aggression. It is my hope
that you will acquire an understanding of research on social behavior as well as a new
perspective on social interaction across cultures--a different way of looking at your own and
others' behavior.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course students will explore social psychology as a field of inquiry and as a way of gaining
a better understanding of themselves and their relationships. Specific goals of the course are:
• To learn to appreciate the roles of biology and culture in shaping human social behavior, and
to explore similarities and differences in social behavior across cultures.
• To examine the ways in which thoughts and beliefs about ourselves and others and our
interpretations of social settings influence our behavior.
• To gain a better understanding of the way people persuade and influence each other one-onone and in groups, and the way we sometimes conform to others’ influences.
• To explore positive and enriching aspects of human relationships, as well as negative and
destructive aspects of relationships.
• To enhance understanding and appreciation of social psychology research as a method of
understanding human social behavior.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
AUTHOR: David G. Myers
TITLE: Social Psychology
PUBLISHER: McGraw-Hill
ISBN #: 978-0-07-337066-8
DATE/EDITION: 2010/10th Edition
1
TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE
See schedule of topics, readings and assignments below.
FIELD WORK
Field lab attendance is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course. Please do not book
individual travel plans or a Semester at Sea sponsored trip on the day of our field lab.
FIELD LAB
The field lab for this course will take place in two ports: Oslo and Stockholm.
Part I. Oslo: Nobel Peace Center
The first half of the Field Lab is a tour of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo. The Nobel
Peace Prize Center includes information about Alfred Nobel and the history of the Nobel
Prizes. Also included are photographs and descriptions of the backgrounds of Nobel
Peace Prize winners. The study of conflict and peacemaking and strategies for reducing
prejudice and aggression are integral parts of social psychology. The class will tour the
Center and students will be given time to collect information on Peace Prize recipients.
For the Field Lab Report each student will construct a profile of one Nobel Peace Prize
recipient, including a description of the methods used by the recipient to promote peace.
After touring the Peace Center, we will have lunch at or near the Peace Center before
returning to the ship.
Part II. Stockholm: The Nobel Museum
On the passage from St. Petersburg to Stockholm a representative from the Nobel
Museum will meet with the class on board ship to orient us to the museum and its
mission. In Stockholm, after a brief bus ride to Old Town we will take a brief stroll
through the medieval quarters. At the main square, Stortorget, we will tour the Nobel
Museum dedicated to the memory of Alfred Nobel and celebration of all of his laureates,
and will take part in an inspiring workshop about what all the laureates have in common
– creativity.
FIELD ASSIGNMENTS
Throughout this course, students will carry out hands-on experiential assignments and
observations, both on board ship and in the ports (see attached schedule of readings and
assignments). Experiential assignments in ports include observation of nonverbal behavior
in Lisbon, and reports of advertising and persuasion in Bergen/Oslo. On board ship,
students will do a systematic observation of behavior in a public space, interview another
student or staff member about an attitude, and carry out a norm violation assignment.
These are assignments that I have used successfully in my land-based social psychology
course that will be modified for use on the voyage. A short paper will be assigned as part
of the Field Lab experience. Students will be expected to keep a journal of their thoughts
and reactions during the Field Lab experience, and will write a short paper relating the
experience to the concepts and issues discussed in class.
2
METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC
Evaluation will include a midterm test, a final exam, experiential assignments, and Field lab
journal and paper. Tests will be comprised primarily of multiple choice, True/False, definitions,
fill-ins, and short answer questions. The experiential assignments will be used in class discussion
as a way for students to relate the course concepts to their personal experiences. The field reports
will be graded based on the degree to which the student’s observations relate to the concepts we
have discussed in class. The weight of these in determining the grade for the course is as follows:
Weight
Midterm Exam
30%
Final Exam
30%
Experiential Assignments
20%
Field lab journal and paper
20%
TOTAL
100%
RESERVE LIBRARY LIST
None
ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS
Some handouts and supplementary readings will be placed in the course folder on the ship’s
intranet.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
No additional resources will be required.
HONOR CODE
Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of
Virginia, and thus bind themselves to the University’s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of
lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult the Voyager’s Handbook for further explanation of
what constitutes an honor offense.
Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: “On my honor
as a student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment.” The pledge
must be signed, or, in the case of an electronic file, signed “[signed].”
3
Social Psychology
Day
Topics
Orientation
1
Introductions and overview of the course
2
The Self in a Social World
3
Self-presentation and self-monitoring
Lisbon
4
Cultural differences in nonverbal behavior
5
Genes, Culture and Gender
Bilbao
6
Social Beliefs and Judgments
7
Behavior and Attitudes
8
When does behavior affect our attitudes?
9
Conformity and Obedience
Glasgow
10
When do people conform?
Dublin
11
Midterm Exam
12
Conflict and Peacemaking
13
Orientation to the Nobel Peace Prize Center
Bergen/Oslo
Field Lab: Nobel Peace Prize Center
14
Persuasion
No Class
15
Group Influence
St. Petersburg
16
Prejudice
17
Orientation to the Nobel Prize Center
Stockholm
Field Lab: Nobel Prize Center
18
Aggression
19
How can aggression be reduced?
Helsinki
20
Attraction and Intimacy
21
Self-disclosure and intimacy
Gdansk
22
Helping Behavior
Readings
Assignments
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Naturalistic observation
Nonverbal behavior observation
Ch. 5
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Attitude Interview
Ch. 6
Norm violation assignment
Ch. 13
Ch. 7
Advertising assignment
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Hate assignment
Ch. 10
1
Ch. 11
Relationship assignment
Ch. 12
Helping assignment
23
Study Day
Exam Day
Summary and wrap-up
Final Exam
2