Psychology 499
Understanding Emotion
Dawson, M.
Syllabus
Psychology 499 (Understanding Emotion)
Instructor
Office Location
Michael Dawson, Ph.D.
SGM 903
Office Hours
Phone Number
Email
Mailbox
Monday 4 – 5 and by appointment
(213) 740-2294
mdawson@usc.edu
SGM 501
Overview
The goal of this course is to review and critically examine the literature regarding the theories, issues,
methods, and physiology in the study of emotion. The major questions to be addressed are: What are
emotions and how are they scientifically studied? What are the classic and contemporary psychological and
physiological theories of emotion? What are the neural correlates of feeling, expressing, and recognizing
emotions? How can emotions be regulated and modified? How do emotions affect cognition, behavior and
decision making? How does cognition affect emotions? Can emotions be elicited unconsciously and, if so,
under what conditions? If so, how does conscious mediation of emotions differ from unconscious mediation
of emotions? What is unique about specific emotions such as fear, anger, disgust, and love?
Course Materials
Readings from the textbook and/or outside readings will be assigned for each class meeting and students
should be prepared to ask questions and/or make comments about each of the readings. It is expected that
students will spend a minimum of 5-10 hours/week on the outside readings plus the readings in the textbook.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Students requesting academic accommodations based on a disability should register with Disability
Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. The DSP is located in STU 301 (213-740-0776).
Textbook
Shiota, M. N., & Kalat, J. W. (2012). Emotion. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Additional outside readings will also be assigned. The assigned readings will be made available on
Blackboard approximately one week before being discussed.
Grading
1. Class Participation (15%): The success of this class depends on the quality of student participation. It
is important that you carefully read the material and actively contribute to the class discussion.
2. Midterm Exam (30%): A midterm exam will cover material from the beginning of the course up to the
point of the exam.
3. Final Exam (30%): A final exam will cover material throughout the course with an emphasis on the
material presented after the midterm.
4. Short paper (25%): An original substantive term paper of approximately 4-5 pages, double spaced in 12
point font, is required. The paper must cite at least 4 references in the scientific literature. The topic of
the paper is your choice as long as it is relevant to material covered in class. An electronic version and a
hard copy of the paper must be turned by the last class meeting (late papers will not be accepted).
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Psychology 499
Understanding Emotion
Dawson, M.
Academic Honesty
Students should be familiar with university policies regarding academic honesty (www.usc.edu/studentaffairs/SJACS). Failure to adhere to these policies will result in an F for the course and the matter will be
forwarded to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for possible further action.
Schedule of Class Topics, Readings, Examinations, and Assignments
DAY
TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
1
2
Overview of course and class requirements
What is emotion?
3
4
5
6
7
8
Inducing and measuring emotions
Theories of emotion
Classification of emotions
The evolution of emotions
The evolution of emotions cont’d
Emotions and culture
Emotions and autonomic nervous system
9
10
Measuring physiological aspects of emotion
Autonomic differences among emotions
11
Stress, health, and emotions
12
13
14
15
16
Overview of the brain
Emotion and the brain
Emotion and neuroanatomy
Emotion regulation
Neurobiology of emotion regulation
17
18
19
20
Modification of emotion by conditioning
Conditioned emotions and review for midterm
MID-TERM EXAM
Specific emotion: Fear and anxiety
21
Fear, amygdala, and startle
22
23
Emotions and individual differences
Specific emotion: Anger and disgust
24
25
Biology of anger and aggression
Specific emotion: Love
26
Outside readings
27
Sex differences in emotion
Thanksgiving – No Class
Positive emotions
28
Course review and evaluation
Final paper due
Pp 3-6
Outside readings
Pp 6-13
Pp 13-25
Pp 25-32
Pp 33-57
Pp 33-57
Pp 58-73
Pp 83-88
Outside readings
Pp 88-95
Pp 95-99
Outside readings
Pp 99-109
Outside readings
Pp 110-123
Pp 123-134
Pp 136-151
Pp 151-155
Outside readings
Outside readings
Pp 158-168
Outside readings
Pp 168-171
Outside readings
Pp 171-175
Pp 176-185
Outside readings
Pp 185-195
Pp 203-215
Pp 230-253
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Psychology 499
Understanding Emotion
Dawson, M.
STUDENT INFORMATION FORM
Psychology 499
Name:
Major:
Phone:
Email:
Expected Graduation Date:
Emergency Contact:
(1) Please list the TITLES of your previous and current courses in psychology, biology, or other relevant
field:
PREVIOUS:
CURRENT:
(2) What sort of career are you aiming toward (be as specific as possible)? Do you plan to go to graduate
school?
(3) Do you presently work? If so, what do you do?
(4) What do you hope to learn in this course? What questions would you like to see addressed in this course?
(5) How many journal articles have you read? (Circle one)
Less than 5
Between 5 and 20
More than I care to remember
(6) On a 10 point scale (where 1 = “I never heard of this” and 10 = “I could give a 5 minute lecture on
this”), rate your familiarity of the following terms.
James-Lang theory --------- Amygdala ---------- Hippocampus --------- Phineas Gage --------Skin Conductance Response ----------- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) ----------Electroencephalogram (EEG) ------ Sympathetic Nervous System ------- Fight or flight response -----(7) By what first name would you like to be called in class?
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