Southern Maine Community College
Title: Social Psychology
Dept: Social Sciences
Credit hours: 3
Instructor: Julien Perille
Office: By Appointment
Catalog Number: PSY 215
Semester: Spring 2015
Contact hours: 45
jperille@smccme.edu
Course Syllabus
Course Description
This course is an introductory level survey of the major classic and contemporary theories and research
in social psychology. One definition of social psychology is that it represents “an attempt to understand
and explain how the thought, feeling, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined,
or implied presence of others” (Allport, 1985). Defined more broadly, social psychologists study social
behavior. This course investigates the mental processes, situational factors, individual differences, and
group phenomena that influence the way people interact with other people. Pre-req: PSY 100
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
-
Describe and explain the research methods used by social psychologists.
-
Explain and question the major theories and concepts discussed in the course.
-
Possess an improved understanding of themselves and others by applying social
psychological concepts to “real life” situations.
-
Communicate effectively in a variety of formats, including writing. This course takes
improvement in student writing as one of its goals. All written work will be graded for
content, clarity, organization, grammar, spelling & punctuation.
Learning Outcome Competencies
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will meet the following SMCC
competencies:
Global Citizenship
Explain how social interactions are influenced by local, regional, national, and/or global cultures.
Recognize cultural and individual differences that underlie the complexities of human behavior and
social interactions.
Critical Thinking
Read and demonstrate understanding of complex ideas by identifying key concepts.
-2Apply theory to practice using problem solving techniques and data analysis.
Analyze and evaluate research data to produce a well-reasoned argument or position on an issue.
Required Texts
Social Psychology 8th Ed.9780205796625209.00
Author(s):Aronson
Publisher: Pearson
General Policies
1. Attendance Policy: The class meetings will consist of lectures, group activities and
discussions. Students are expected to attend class and participate. I do not differentiate
between excused and unexcused absences; you are either here or not here. Do not schedule
doctors’ appointments during class or exam times. You are responsible for all the material we
cover in class when you miss a day, including any announcements that may have been
made.
You
will
need
to
ask
a
peer
for
missed
lecture
notes.
All assignments are expected to be typed, doubled-spaced and completed on time. Late work
will be reduced one grade level. No emailed work will be accepted.
2. Course schedule and learning activities may be subject to change at any time instructor deems
necessary.
3. Students are allowed to miss one class without penalty. If a student misses more than 2
classes it is an automatic failure. Please arrive early or on time for lectures. There are no
excused/unexcused absences. Please put all cell phones on vibrate. If you have to text or call,
please leave the classroom. Place all cell phone on table/desk or put them away. Anyone
texting during class will be asked to leave and will be marked as absent for that class.
Grading
Quizzes. 13 chapter quizzes will be used for evaluation. 12 of these will be used for grading allowing
students to drop their lowest quiz grade. Quizzes will be given on Tuesdays unless classes are
canceled due to inclement weather, in which case quiz will be given next class. Course content is
comprised of textbook and lecture material, so quiz questions will be derived from your weekly reading
and class lectures. Each quiz will be worth 10 points for a total of 120 points.
Application papers. You will write 10 application papers worth 15.5 points each for a total of 155
possible points. Papers will be due at the first class of the week. No late papers accepted.
Critical Analysis Papers, During the semester, there will be two analysis papers based on research
studies done in Social Psychology. Students will be required to find an APA research article in a peerreviewed journal at the library/commons and complete a critical analysis of the article using the
available template provided. Each paper will be worth up to 77.5 points for a total of 155 points.
Class participation. All students are expected to have completed readings by the date assigned, to
attend all class sessions, and to actively participate in class discussions and activities. Discussions
should reflect close study of the readings, active listening to classmates, and maintain a respectful
dialog; worth a total of 70 points.
-3-
Course Grading System
A 480-500
B- 400-419
D+ 320-339
A- 460-479
C+ 380-399
D 300-319
B+ 440-459
C 360-379
F below 300
B 420-439
C- 340-359
Class Schedule and Assignments
Week 1
Introduction and Overview of Social Psychology
Critical Thinking about Social Psychology
Week 2
Chapter 2 – Field of Social Psychology
Research Methodology – Group Work
Quiz #1
Week 3
Chapter 3 – Social Cognition
Group activity
Quiz #2
Week 4
Chapter 4 – Social Perception
Group activity
Application paper #1
Quiz #3
Week 5
Chapter 5 – The Self
Group activity
Application paper #2
Quiz #4
Week 6
Application paper #3
Chapter 6 – Dissonance Theories
-4Group activity
Quiz #5
Week 7
Application paper #4
Chapter 7 – Attitudes
Group activity
Quiz #6
Week 8
Application paper due #5 & Critical Analysis Paper #1 due
Chapter 8 – Conformity
Group activity
Quiz #7
Week 9
Application paper #6
Chapter 9 – Social Group Influences
Group activity
Quiz #8
Week 10
Application paper #7
Chapter 10 – Attractions
Group activity
Quiz #9
Week 11
Application paper #8
Chapter 11 – Prosocial Behavior
Group activity
Quiz #10
Week 12
Application paper #9
Chapter 12 – Aggression
Group activity
Quiz #11
Week 13
Application Paper #10
Chapter 12 – Prejudice
Group activity
Quiz #12
-5-
Week 14 – Wrap Up
Quiz #13 & Critical Analysis Paper #2 due
Course Evaluation
In order to gain access to final course grades, students must complete evaluations for all courses.
Students can now evaluate their SMCC courses online and anonymously by going to Academics on
the SMCC homepage and choosing Course Evaluations. This feature is typically available the last
two weeks of every class (in most cases, this will be the last two weeks of the semester).
ADA Syllabus Statement
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer.
For more information, please call 207-741-5798.
If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable
access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the disability services
coordinator, Mark Krogman, who can be reached at 741-5629. There will be some documentation for
your teachers that must be supplied before accommodations can be given. Further information about
services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this
number.
SMCC Pay-for-Print Policy
Students can print 150 pages per semester free of charge. If you print over 150 pages, you will be
charged 10 cents per page to your student billing account for tuition and fees.
Leftover pages from each semester will not be rolled over to the following semester.
The College’s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all public printers (i.e. those in general access
labs, library printers, the Academic Achievement Center, Noisy Lounge and technology labs). Each
time you log-in to the system, the print station displays the remaining print quota. Once the printing
quota has been exceeded, users will be charged $ 0.10 per page or $.05 per side if the printer prints on
both sides on their student accounts on a monthly basis. Color printouts will be charged at 11 page
units. This means each color printout will count as 11 pages toward the quota and will cost $1.10.
Add-Drop Policy
Students who drop a course during the one-week “add/drop” period in the fall and spring semesters
and the first three days of summer sessions receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees
for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e., 15
weeks, has a pro-rated add/drop period. There is no refund for non-attendance.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that
course. The withdrawal period is the second through twelfth week of the fall and spring semesters and
the second through ninth week of twelve-week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorterlength courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate
course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The
designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course
withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend
or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course. There is no refund
associated with a withdrawal.
AF Administrative Failure
Administrative Failure (a final grade of AF) identifies students who have stopped attending class and
who have had no contact with the faculty member for a period during which the class has met three or
-6more times. At their discretion, faculty may reinstate students who resume attending after the grade
has been assigned.
No Show Grade
A student who enrolls in a class, and pays any part of the tuition (even if through pending financial aid
or another agency), but doesn't appear in class will receive a grade of WN (no show) on the faculty
class list and their transcript. They will receive no reimbursement for the course or fees, the grade will
be treated in the same manner as a withdrawal for the purpose of determining the number of credits
attempted, and the grade will contribute to any determination of probation or suspension status.
Plagiarism Statement
Adherence to ethical academic standards is obligatory. Cheating is a serious offense, whether it
consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will
receive credit. Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully
crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of
Conduct. If it is suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly
committed such a violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the College’s Disciplinary
Officer and appropriate action will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions may include
suspension from the course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these
actions to the Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
-7APPLICATION PAPERS
Application papers must be 1-2 pages, typewritten and double-spaced. You will turn in one application
paper each week. The papers are designed to encourage you to think about social psychological
issues throughout the semester as you encounter them in the readings and class. No late papers will
be accepted.
What should be in an application paper? The basic requirement is that you take some issue that was
raised in class or in the readings in the past week, apply it to your own life and determine how it
contributes to the quality of your life. For example, when we are studying attitudes, you will determine
how your attitude influences your behavior and how your attitude contributes/takes away from the
quality of your life. Essentially, your paper will apply social psychological principles to events that have
happened to you. Application papers should:
1. Take an issue that was addressed in the lecture or readings in the past week and apply it to
your own life.
2. Identify and define all social psychological concepts and/or terms to which the event relates.
3. Be free of basic mechanical errors, typos, spelling etc…
4. Present ideas clearly and logically; having one topic in each paragraph.
5. Write a conclusion specifically telling me what you have learned about your event and how it
contributes to or takes away from the quality of your life.
For example: How has your
understanding of your experience changed since learning this material? What insights have
you gained? What might you do differently if confronted with a similar situation in the future?
In short, your paper should demonstrate that you have a thorough understanding of the relevant
concepts and/or terms and that you recognize them from when they occurred in your life. Do not
regurgitate lecture notes or text sections in your paper; the majority of your application papers will
be composed of your relevant life experiences and your application of social psychological
material.
-8-
Application Paper Scoring Guide
Description
Above standard Meets
standard
Unacceptable
Comments
Did you take an
issue
that
was
raised in class or in
the readings in the
past week, applying
to your own life?
Does your paper
identify and define
all social
psychological
concepts and/or
terms to which the
event relates?
Problems with:
[ ] Run-ons or Comma
splices
[ ] Fragments [ ] Spelling
[ ] Plurals or Apostrophes
[ ] Capital letters [ ]
Commas
[ ] Omitted or wrong
words
[ ] Other
Is the paper free of
basic mechanical
errors: spelling,
grammar, etc?
Are ideas clearly
and logically
presented; with
reader accessible
paragraphs having
one topic in each?
A comprehensive
conclusion telling
me what you have
learned about your
event and how it
contributes to or
takes away from the
quality of your life?
2: Exceeds
standard;
paper meets
or exceeds
all criteria
1.5 Paper
meets
standard but
errors in 1+
key elements
or mechanics
Comments/Grade:
1. Paper meets
standard; missing
1+ key elements;
mechanical errors
.5. Paper missing 2+
key elements;
serious mechanical
flaws
0. Paper does
not address
assignment,
is illegible; or
incoherent
-9-
Article Analysis
ANALYZE THE "LOGIC"
After reading the following article, analyze the "logic" of it using the template below.
The Logic of "
"
1). The main purpose of this article is?
(State as accurately as possible the author's purpose for writing this article.)
2). The key question that the author is addressing is?
(Figure out the key question in the mind of the author when s/he wrote the article.)
3). The most important information in this article is?
(Figure out the facts, experiences, data the author comes to and presents in the article).
4). The main inferences/conclusions in this article are?
(Identify the key conclusions the author comes to and presents in the article.)
5). The key concept(s) we need to understand in this article is (are)?
By these concepts the author means?
(Figure out the most important ideas you would have to understand in order to understand the
author's line of reasoning.)
6). The main assumption(s) underlying the author's thinking is (are)?
(Figure out what the author is taking for granted {that might be questioned}.)
7). If we take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are?
(What consequences are likely to follow if people ignore the author's reasoning?)
8). The main point(s) of view presented in this article is (are)?
(What is the author looking at, and how is s/he seeing it?