SOCIOLOGY 101
Person and Society: Introduction to Sociology through Social Psychology
Professor:
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 - 12:00, Natural Sciences Auditorium
Winter 2001
Deborah Carr
3521 LS&A Building
Office Phone: 763-1220
E-mail: carrds@umich.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-10:45 and by appointment
Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs):
Tom Blackwood (tblackwo@umich.edu) Sections 003 (T 12-2 p.m.) and 004 (T 3-5 p.m.)
Todd Goodsell (tgoodsel@umich.edu) Sections 008 (W 2-4 p.m.) and 010 (F 2-4 p.m.)
Asli Gur (agur@umich.edu)
Jennifer Lerner (lernerj@umich.edu)
Erin Reidy (ereidy@umich.edu)
Sections 002 (M 9-11 a.m.) and 006 (Th 12-2 p.m.)
Sections 005 (W 9-11 a.m.) and 009 (W 3-5 p.m.)
Sections 007 (Th 3-5 p.m.) and 011 (F 3-5 p.m.)
Description: This course introduces students to the topics in Sociology that lie at the interface with
Psychology. Four major themes within social psychology will be examined: (1) the impact that one individual has on another individual; (2) the impact that a group has on its individual members; (3) the impact that individuals have on the group; and (4) the impact that one group has on another group. The themes, concepts, theoretical approaches, and research methods within social psychology will be presented. Topics to be covered include socialization, the self, perception, cognition, attitudes, interpersonal relationships, group behavior, altruism, aggression, and deviance.
Required Texts:
Michener, H. Andrew and John Delamater. 1999. Social Psychology ( 4th ed.). New York: Harcourt
Brace Publishers. (Referred to as “M&D in reading schedule).
Intersections: Readings in Sociology: A Custom Publication
. (Referred to as “R” in schedule).
All readings are REQUIRED. Reading assignments will seldom surpass 80 pages per week, in accordance with the University's "average" workload for a 4-credit course. Both books are available from Ulrich’s (549 E. University), University Bookstore (in the Michigan Union) and Michigan
Book and Supply (317 S. State). All reading material will also be available at the Reserve Desk of the Undergraduate Library.
Requirements and Grading :
Exams: There will be three closed-book exams which cover material from lectures, readings, films, and discussion sections. Students may have up to two hours to complete each exam. Each of the three exams is non-cumulative, and is worth 24 percent of your grade. The exams are only cumulative in the sense that several themes run through this class throughout the semester, and you are responsible for understanding these themes. A review sheet distributed prior to each exam will help you identify and understand the important issues. NO make-up exams will be given unless I receive notification at least three days prior to the exam, and you have a valid reason for missing the scheduled exam. Exams may include multiple choice, definitions, and one essay question.

Written Exercises : You are required to submit two 3-5 page written assignments. These assignments will involve the application of social psychological theories and concepts. These assignments must be type-written, double-spaced, thoughtful and clearly written. Proper grammar and spelling is expected. Each assignment is worth 10 percent of your overall course grade.
Paper
#1 is due during the week of February 20th, and is to be handed in to your GSI at your weekly discussion section. Paper #2 is due during the week of April 10th, and is to be handed in to your GSI at your weekly discussion section. Assignments will be handed out at least two weeks before the paper due date.
Discussion and Class Participation: You are REQUIRED to attend a two-hour discussion section each week. Attendance at discussion section is very important for what you learn and for how well you do in the class. Your attendance and informed participation in discussion section accounts for 8 percent of your grade.
Extra credit option: We will cover a variety of thought-provoking topics in this course, and some of you may be inspired to do additional reading on a topic you find particularly compelling. You will have the opportunity to do an extra credit project, worth 0 to 3 points based on the quality of your work. These extra credit points will be added to your overall class average. You may write an 8-10 page original research paper on the topic of your choice. The topic must be approved by the professor by Friday February 23. The research paper should include a critical review and integration of relevant literature. In addition to adding points to your class grade, this assignment also gives you an opportunity to apply the social psychological perspective to your own major field of study. Extracredit assignments may be handed in at any point during the semester, but any work received later than Friday April 13, 2001, 5 p.m. will NOT be accepted. Only typewritten papers will be accepted.
Proper grammar and spelling is expected.
Summary of grading procedure: Course grades are based on the total number of points an individual earns on exams, written assignments, and discussion sections, relative to point totals earned by others in the class. Extra credit points will be added to the final grade, where applicable, after the overall course grade distribution is established. In determining course grades, the assignments are weighted as follows:
Exam 1 [2/06/01]
Exam 2 [3/15/01]
Exam 3 [4/20/01]
Discussion
TOTAL
Written Assignments [Due weeks of 2/20 & 4/10/01]
24%
24%
24%
20%
8 %
100%

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND READINGS
I. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
A. Theoretical Perspectives
R January 4: Welcome and Introduction to Social Psychology
T January 9: Introduction and Social Psychological Theories
(M&D) Chapter 1 “Introduction to Social Psychology”(Pp. 1-5).
(R) Berger, Peter L. “Invitation to Sociology” (Pp. 1-7).
R January 11: Social Psychological Theories (continued)
(M&D) Chapter 1 “Introduction to Social Psychology”(Pp. 5-22).
B. Research Methods in Social Psychology: How Do We Study People?
T January 16: Research Methods
(M&D) Chapter 2 “Research Methods in Social Psychology” (Pp. 24-32).
(R) Huff, Darrell. “How to Talk Back to A Statistic.” (Pp. 8-21)
R January 18: Research Methods (continued)
(M&D) Chapter 2 “Research Methods in Social Psychology” (Pp. 32-44).
(R) Zimbardo, Philip G. “Pathology of Imprisonment.” (Pp. 22-31).
II. DEVELOPMENT OF THE SELF
A. Socialization
T January 23: Socialization
(M&D) Chapter 3 “Socialization” (Pp. 46-72).
R January 25: Socialization (cont’d)
(R) Heath, D. Terri. “Parents’ Socialization of Children.” (Pp. 32-49).

B. Self and Identity
T January 30: Self and Identity
(M&D) Chapter 4 “Self and Identity” (Pp. 74-88).
(R) Jenkins, Richard. “Knowing Who We Are.” (Pp. 50-57).
(R) Kinney, David A. “From Nerds to Normals: The Recovery of Identity Among Adolescents from
Middle School to High School.” (Pp. 57-81).
R February 1: Self-Esteem
(M&D) Chapter 4 “Self and Identity” (Pp. 93-99).
(R) Sadker, Myra and David Sadker. “How America’s Schools Cheat Girls: Missing in Interaction.”
(Pp. 82-104).
T February 6: Exam #1 , Location TBA, Evening (2 hours)
III. COGNITIVE PROCESSES
A. Social Perception and Cognition
R February 8: Social Perception and Person Perception
(M&D) Chapter 5 “Social Perception and Cognition”(Pp. 100-116).
(R) Lichter, Robert S. and Linda S. Lichter. “Does TV Shape Ethnic Images?” (Pp. 105-112).
T February 13: Attribution Theory and Processes
(M&D) Chapter 5 “Social Perception and Cognition” (Pp. 116-129).
B. Attitudes
R February 15: Attitudes: Components, Measurement and Structure
(M&D) Chapter 6 “Attitudes”(Pp. 131-145).
(R) Witt, G. Evans. “Say What You Mean.” (Pp. 113-116).
(R) Lazarsfeld, Paul E. “What is Obvious? The Nature of Attitude Surveys?” (Pp. 117-120).

T February 20: Attitude-Behavior Link PAPER #1 DUE THIS WEEK
(M&D) Chapter 6 “Attitudes”(Pp. 145-157).
R February 22: Persuasion & Attitudinal Change
(M&D) Chapter 8 “Social Influence and Persuasion” (Pp. 188-202; 207-213).
(R) Meyer, Philip. “If Hitler Asked You to Electrocute a Stranger, Would You? Probably.” (Pp. 121-
132).
T February 27 & R March 1: Spring Break
IV. Social Interaction
A. Foundations of Social Interaction: Interaction “Tactics”
T March 6: Self-Presentation and Impression Management
(M&D) Chapter 9 “Self-Presentation and Impression Management” (Pp. 215-235).
(R) Albas, Daniel and Cheryl Albas. “Aces and Bombers: The Post-Exam Impression Management
Strategies of Students.” (Pp. 133-151).
B. Close Relationships
R March 8: Interpersonal Attraction
(M&D) Chapter 12 “Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships” (Pp. 285-296).
(R) Davis, Simon. “Men as Success Objects and Women as Sex Objects: A Study of Personal
Advertisements.” (Pp. 152-163).
(R) Steiner, Andy. “Sometimes The Perfect Mate is Someone You Hardly Know.” (Pp. 164-167).
T March 13: Close Relationships
(M&D) Chapter 12 “Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships” (Pp. 296-311).
(R) Laner, Mary Riege and Nicole A. Ventrone.” Egalitarian Daters/Traditionalist Daters.”
(Pp. 168-180).
(R) Phillips, Lisa E. “Love, American Style.” (Pp. 181-185).
R March 15: Exam #2 , Location TBA , Evening (2 hours)

C. Group Behavior
T March 20:Group Cohesion and Conformity
(M&D) Chapter 13 “Group Cohesion and Conformity” (Pp. 313-334).
(R) Asch, Solomon E. “Opinions and Social Pressure.” (Pp. 186-193).

R March 22: Group Performance
(M&D) Chapter 15 “Group Performance”(Pp. 359-366 & 378-386).
(R) Janis, Irving L. “Groupthink” (Pp. 194-208).
T March 27: Intergroup Conflict
(M&D) Chapter 16 “Intergroup Conflict” (Pp. 388-406)
.
R March 29: Intergroup Conflict
(R) Blauner, Bob. “Talking Past Each Other: Black and White Languages of Race.” (Pp. 209-221).
(R) West, Cornel. “Race Matters.” (Pp. 222-229).
D. Helping and Hurting Behaviors
T April 3: Altruism
(M&D) Chapter 10 “Helping and Altruism”(Pp. 237-261).
(R) Darley, John M. and Bibb Latane. “Bystander Intervention in Emergencies: Diffusion of
Responsibility” (Pp. 230-243).
R April 5: Aggression
(M&D) Chapter 11 “Aggression” (Pp. 263-283).
(R) Gerbner, George. “Television Violence: The Power and the Peril.” (Pp. 244-255).
V. Deviance and Stigmatization
T April 10: Deviance: Introduction and Theories - PAPER #2 DUE THIS WEEK
(M&D) Chapter 12 “Deviant Behavior and Social Reaction” (Pp. 468-479).
(R) Jankowski, Martin J. “Who Joins Gangs and Why?” (Pp. 256-283).

R April 12: Labeling Theory and Social Construction of “Deviance”
(M&D) Chapter 12 “Deviant Behavior and Social Reaction” (Pp. 479-495).
(R) Rosenhan, D.L. “On Being Sane in Insane Places.” (Pp. 284-303).
T April 17: Catch-up and Review
Friday April 20: Final Exam (1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Good luck with finals and have a wonderful summer !