Title: Social Psychology
Dept: Social Sciences
Credit hours: 3
Instructor: JanVeinot, 741-5647
Office: Harborview 101
Catalog Number: PSY 215
Semester: Fall 2014
Contact hours: 45 jveinot@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 defini tion 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:
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Describe and explain the research methods used by social psychologists.
Explain and question the major theories and concepts discussed in the course.
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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.

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Apply 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
Baron, R., Bryrne, D., & Branscombe, N. Mastering Social Psychology . Boston: Pearson.
General Policies
1. Attendance Policy: The class meetings will consist of lectures, demonstrations, and discussions. Students are expected to attend class and participate in the demonstrations and discussions. 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 accepted.
2. Course schedule and learning activities may be subjected 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. If you leave early or arrive late, it will count as ½ half of a class. 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 . 10 chapter quizzes will be used for evaluation. Each quiz will be accessed online. Course content is comprised of textbook material, so quiz questions will be derived from your weekly reading. Each quiz will be worth 10 points for a total of 100 points.
Application papers . You will write 10 application papers worth 10 points each for a total of 100 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 four analysis papers based on research studies done in Social Psychology. Each paper will be worth up to 50 points for a total of 200 points.
Regular attendance 50 points
50 points Group work/Class participation
Course Grading System
A 480-500
A- 460-479
B+ 440-459
B 420-439
B- 400-419
C+ 380-399
C 360-379
C- 340-359
D+ 320-339
D 300-319
F below 300

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Individual/Group projects will mostly be done in-class. There will be no make-up opportunities for this.
A grade of incomplete will be given only in extraordinary circumstances. Grades of W, AF will follow
SMCC policy as outlined in the student handbook.
Week 1
Introduction and overview of Social Psychology
Critical Thinking about Social Psychology – SEEI
Hand out Research Methodology Assignment
Week 2
Chapter 1 – Field of Social Psychology
Research Methodology – Group Work
W eek 3
Chapter 2 – Social Cognition
Heuristics Activity
Week 4
First Application paper due
Chapter 3 – Social Perception
Group Attribution Exercise
Week 5
Second Application paper due
Chapter 4 – Attitudes
Attitude Development Exercise
Week 6
Third Application paper Due
Chapter 5 – The Self
Identity Questionnaire
Week 7
Fourth Application paper due
Chapter 6 – Prejudice
Pervasiveness of Stereotypes Exercise
Week 8
Fifth Application paper due
Chapter 7 – Interpersonal Attraction
Ten qualities in Romantic Partner Exercise
Week 9
Sixth Application paper due
Chapter 8 – Close Relationships
Degree of Romanticism Exercise
Week 10
Seventh Application paper due
Chapter 9 – Social Influence
Milgram Studies

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Week 11
Eighth Application paper due
Chapter 10 – Prosocial Behavior
Bystander apathy Exercise
Week 12
Ninth Application paper due
Chapter 11 – Aggression
Impulsivity and Impulse control
Week 13
Tenth Application Paper due
Chapter 12 – Groups and Individuals
Week 14 – Wrap Up
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 oneweek “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

- 5 - 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 more 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.

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APPLICATION 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.

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Description
Above standard Meets standard
Unacceptable Comments

Problems with:
[ ] Run-ons or Comma splices
[ ] Fragments [ ] Spelling
[ ] Plurals or Apostrophes
[ ] Capital letters [ ]
Commas
[ ] Omitted or wrong words
[ ] Other

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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?

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