ATILIM UNIVERSITY
Department of Psychology
PSY 201 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
2012-2013 FALL
Instructor: Emine Tuna Ulaşan Özgüle, Department of Psychology
Contact: eozgule@yahoo.com
Required reading materials:
Myers, D. G. (2008). Social Psychology (9th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Other materials, readings and journal articles will be provided by the instructor.
Objectives:
- To introduce students to a range of research and theories in classic and contemporary social
psychology.
- To develop an understanding of central debates within the discipline.
- To develop intellectual skills in the critical analysis of social psychological theories and in the
evaluation of empirical research.
- To get students apply social psychological theories to solve real-life problems.
Course format: Class meets twice a week for total of three hours. Class time primarily will be
spent on introduction of the day’s topic and discussion. All students are required to read the
assigned chapters before they come to the class meetings.
Course requirements:
Attendance
2 Mid-term examinations
Final examination
Term Paper
Attendance: All students are required to attend all scheduled classes. Students with more than
30% (more than 12 hours) of absences will not receive an evaluation!!!
Class participation; Active and meaningful participation in class discussions.
Mid-term examination; 1st mid-term examination assesses the knowledge gained in the first half
of the course.
2nd mid-term examination assesses the knowledge gained in the second half of the course.
Final examination: Final examination, assessing the overall knowledge gained in the course,
covering all of the chapters in the book, class discussions and all other assignments.
Term paper: You are asked to prepare a term paper, which will mainly be a definition essay.
You will select 5 of the terms, concepts, constructs or theories that we will cover throughout the
course (e.g., “fundamental attribution error,” “social identity theory,” “self-efficacy,” “group
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polarization,” “cognitive dissonance,” etc.), and will provide the definition and description of the
particular psychological term, concept, or theory. You are also asked to provide anecdotal
examples in explaining each term and to relate the anecdote with the term or psychological
concept. You can give examples based on events you have personally experienced, observed or
witnessed. The term paper will account for 10% of your total grade and is due Dec 28th, 2012
(final class). Late papers will not be accepted.
Grading
Midterm 1: Oct 19 ............................... 30%
Midterm 2: Dec 7 ................................ 30%
Final (TBA) .......................................... 30%
Term paper: Due Dec 28 …….………10%
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1
Sep 17-21
Chapter 1: Introduction to Social Psychology
Week 2
Sep 25-28
Chapter 1: Introduction to Social Psychology
Week 3
Oct 2-5
Chapter 2: The Self in the Social World
Week 4
Oct 9-12
Chapter 2: The Self in the Social World
Week 5
Oct 16
Chapter 2: The Self in the Social World
Week 5
Week 6
Oct 19
Oct 23-26
11:30 MIDTERM EXAM 1
Chapter 3: Social Beliefs and Judgments
Week 7
Oct 30-Nov 2
Chapter 3: Social Beliefs and Judgments
Week 8
Nov 6
Chapter 3: Social Beliefs and Judgments
Week 8
Nov 9
Chapter 4: Behavior and Attitudes
Week 9
Nov 13-16
Chapter 4: Behavior and Attitudes
Week 10
Nov 20
Chapter 4: Behavior and Attitudes
Week 10
Nov 23
Chapter 5: Genes, Culture, and Gender
Week 11
Nov 27-30
Chapter 5: Genes, Culture, and Gender
Week 12
Dec 4
Chapter 5: Genes, Culture, and Gender
Week 12
Week 13
Dec 7
Dec 11-14
11:30 MIDTERM EXAM 2
Chapter 6: Conformity and Obedience
Week 14
Dec 18
Chapter 6: Conformity and Obedience
Week 14
Dec 21
Chapter 7: Persuasion
Week 15
Dec 25-28
Chapter 7: Persuasion
FINAL EXAM: Date will be announced
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