PSY 342 - Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Course Syllabus – Fall 2015
Class Meeting Days/Time/Location
Tu Th, 10:20 AM - 11:40 AM
326 Natural Sciences Bldg.
Course Email
psy342@cdnresearch.net
Instructor
Prof. C. David Navarrete
Office Hr: Th, 2:30-3:30 PM, or by appt.
Location: 247 Psychology Bldg.
Ph: 517-432-8391
Email: cdn@msu.edu
Teaching Assistants
Victor Keller
Office Hr: Tues 1:00p-2:00p, or by appt.
Location: 244B Psychology Bldg.
Ph: TBA
Email: felixdes@msu.edu
Eugene Sakirkin
Office Hrs/Loc: by appt.
Email: sakirkin@msu.edu
Overview
This course provides a survey of the psychology of intergroup bias. The course is taught within a
broad, inter-disciplinary framework that emphasizes the functional aspects of the psychological
mechanisms that produce various forms of bias—including stereotyping, prejudice and
discrimination. Evolutionary, cultural and economic forces at the foundations of the psychology of
intergroup bias are emphasized throughout the course.
Course Materials
Readings: Assigned readings are posted online for download. There is no cost for accessing these
readings. There is no textbook for this course.
Class Clicker: Students should acquire and register iClicker 2 by the end of the second week of class.
Instructions for doing so are in the iClicker 2 folder on D2L.
Course Web
Web content for the course is available via D2L.
Course Announcements/Updates
Announcements are made via email sent through MSU’s online course content system, D2L. Make
sure D2L has your up-to-date contact information.
Questions and Concerns
Questions and concerns should be addressed to the teaching staff at psy342@cdnresearch.net or
during office hours. TAs/UAs may answer questions about grading, but final decisions are the
responsibility solely of the instructor.
Exams and Assignments
Exams are in the same room as lectures. The combined point total for all course content is 400 pts.,
split among the following ways:
Exams: There are three 100 pt. exams each composed of 45 multiple-choice (2 pts. each), and two
short-essay items (5 pts. each). Exams total 300 pts. (75% of course grade).
Class Participation: Participation is registered via iClicker 2 and homework assignments for 100
points total (25% of grade).
Make-ups for exams or participation are not typically allowed, but contact me if you have a special
circumstance.
The point breakdown for assignments, participation and exams is as follows:
Type
Pts. Each
#
Pts. Total
Homework
6-7
6
40
Clicker Attendance
3
20
60
Exams
100
3
300
Total
400
NOTE: Two absences are allowed before clicker participation points are deducted. D2L will drop the lowest two
scores in this category.
Grading
The grading scale is as follows:
Percent Pt. Min. Grade
90%
360
4.0
85%
340
3.5
80%
320
3.0
75%
300
2.5
70%
280
2.0
65%
260
1.5
60%
240
1.0
NOTE: Pt. Min. = Minimum points needed for grade.
Meeting Day Exceptions for Online Homework Assignments
In lieu of class meetings, lecture content for the following days are posted online. Content will be
available a week before it is due. Video lecture assignments are expected to be turned into the
appropriately labeled folder in D2L. Due dates for online assignments is 8:00p on the following
Tuesdays:
15-Sep, 29-Sep
13-Oct, 27-Oct
10-Nov, 24-Nov
Academic Integrity and Conduct
Every student is held responsible for knowing the academic integrity policy at MSU. Information
regarding this policy is available at: https://www.msu.edu/unit/ombud/dishonestystud.html
Students should feel free to voice questions and comments relevant to the course material during
lectures, via email or during office hours. Unnecessary chatter during lectures or exams is a
distraction and should be avoided. Students should use lecture breaks for conversation.
Academic Freedom
The instructor and teaching staff are committed to respectful dialogue and professional conduct,
and expectations are that students also understand the importance of honest and respectful
interaction as well. Most importantly, we are committed to sustaining individual rights for freedom
of speech in academic settings. Students are encouraged to make full use this right, and we are
committed to engaging a wide range of comments, questions and viewpoints in the classroom or
during office hours.
For more information regarding individual rights in colleges and universities, visit the Foundation
for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) at https://www.thefire.org
Content Schedule (online lecture assignments in bold)
Foundations of Intergroup Bias
Week 1
Intergroup Bias: Stereotypes, Prejudice and Discrimination
Week 2
Origins of Intergroup Bias I: Kin and Kith
Week 3
Origins of Intergroup Bias II: Developing Xenophobia
Week 4
Social Dominance Theory I: Gender and Power
Week 5
Moral Foundations Theory
Theories of Intergroup Bias
Week 6
Behavioral Immune System
Week 7
Implicit Bias
Week 8
Social Dominance II: Race and Gender
Week 9
Social Identity Theory and Political Psychology
Week 10
Moral Communities: Liberals vs. Conservatives
The Targets of Bias
Week 11
Cliques, Bullies and Mean Girls
Week 12
Stereotype Threat
Week 13
Achievement and the Burden of “Acting White”
Week 14
Reducing Prejudice and Discrimination I
Week 15
Reducing Prejudice and Discrimination II
Exam Dates
Exam 1: Thurs. 1-Oct.
Exam 2: Thurs. 5-Nov.
Exam 3: Thurs. 10-Dec