Heartland Community College
Division: Social and Business Sciences
Student Course Syllabus for Spring, 2011
Course Prefix and number: PSY 210-02
Course Title: Social Psychology
Days and times the course meets: MW 2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Social Psychology is the study of feelings, motivations, perceptions and behaviors of individuals
in social situations. It includes study of our personal perceptions and attitudes toward others,
interpersonal dynamics, and the broader social and cultural context in which social behavior
occurs. Knowledge of interpersonal understanding, effective communication and group
dynamics are emphasized, as is the specific study of the social psychology of politics, business
and law.
Instructor Information:
Instructor: Douglas Simeone
Phone number to contact instructor: (309) 268-8575
Email address: Doug.Simeone@heartland.edu
NOTE: When sending an e-mail, students must use their myheartland account and include their
course and section number in the subject line.
Website: http://employee.heartland.edu/dsimeone/index.htm
Office Location: ICB 2106 (located in ICB 2100 office area)
Office hours:
Mondays: 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. & 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
Tuesdays: 8:55 – 9: 25 a.m. & 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
Thursday: 1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
TEXTBOOK(S):
Required:
Myers, D. G. (2009). Exploring social psychology (5th ed.). New York, NY: The McGraw Hill
Companies.
Recommended:
Golding, William. (1954). Lord of the Flies. New York, NY: Berkley Publishing Group.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
IAI General Education course: Social and Behavioral Sciences
This course fulfills 3.00 of the semester hours of credit in Social and Behavioral Sciences
required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education
Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and
universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for
transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information
as well at www.itransfer.org.
General Education and Learning Outcome Statement
PSY 210 is a course within the General Education Program at Heartland, and as such, contains
learning outcomes to help students develop proficiency across the four areas of our General
Education Program: Communication, Diversity, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking. These
general education outcomes, as well as the course specific outcomes, are all accomplished
through the study of lifespan development. Upon completion of this course students will
develop an increased proficiency in the following areas:
1. Apply and communicate the major theoretical perspectives of developmental psychology.
2. Demonstrate awareness and appreciation of the many developmental and life challenges
faced by people at every stage of life.
3. Identify and appraise the factors involved in the many different aspects of psychological
development across the life span.
4. Have acquired an awareness and appreciation of how the family system influences the
individual across the lifespan.
5. Understand the importance of culture, and other broad environmental influences, on the
development of the individual.
6. Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of research in psychology, and an
appreciation of the major research methods.
7. Be able to apply the theories and concepts of developmental psychology to real life.
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
This outline is a brief representation of what each instructor will include while teaching this
class. There may be additional material that is included; each instructor may vary the
presentation of the topics as well as how much time is spent on each topic.
1.
2.
3.
Introducing Social Psychology
The Self in a Social World
Social Beliefs and Judgments
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Behavior and Attitudes
Gender, Genes, and Culture
Conformity
Persuasion
Group Influence
Prejudice: Disliking Others
Aggression: Hurting Others
Attraction and Intimacy
Altruism: Helping Others
Conflict and Peacemaking
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Quizzes: During the course of the semester students will be given 10 quizzes that will cover
the readings in the text and the lecture material. Each quiz will be worth 10 points. Students
must be in class on the day a quiz is given as missed quizzes cannot be made up.
Total points possible - 100
Critical Thinking Assignments: Students are required to complete 10 critical thinking
assignments during the course of the semester. Each assignment is worth up to 20 points.
Students will receive a score of zero for each assignment not turned in by the due date/time
as late assignments will not be accepted. Students not in class on the day of an in-class
assignment will not be allowed to make up the assignment.
Total points possible - 200 points
Final Exam: There will be a comprehensive final exam worth a maximum of two hundred
(200) points. Information about the final will be discussed on the first day of class and will
be reiterated during the course of the semester as the final exam approaches. Final exams
must be submitted by the due date/time. Late exams will not be accepted, resulting in a
score of zero.
Total points possible = 200
Final Grade Determination: Students can earn up to 500 points in this class. The quizzes are
worth 100 points, the critical thinking assignments are worth 200 points and the Final Exam is
worth 200 points. Each student’s final grade will be determined as follows:
450 -500 points earned = A (90-100%)
400-449 points earned = B (80-89%)
350-399 points earned = C (70-79%)
300-349 points earned = D (60-69%)
299 points and below = F (59% and below)
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
This course requires approximately 40 pages of reading per week. A minimum of 10 pages of
college level writing (equivalent to 10 typed, double-spaced pages) is required in this course.
This may be accomplished through a combination of various writing requirements, such as
research papers, essay questions on exams, journals, and/or in-class writing assignments.
Syllabi disclaimer: It is possible that changes will occur in regard to the material covered during
the course of the semester. Changes will not be made in regard to the point totals of the quizzes,
assignments or any of the exams. Further, changes will not be made in how the student’s final
grade is determined.
Course Calendar:
Week & Topic
Text Readings
Week 1 & 2: Introducing social psychology
Modules 1 & 2
Week 3: Social Thinking
Modules 3-5
Week 4: Social Beliefs and Judgments
Modules 6-8
Week 5: Behavior and Attitudes
Module 9
Week 6: Conformity
Module 14
Week 7: Persuasion
Modules 15 & 16
Week 8: Group Influence
Modules 17-21
Weeks 9 and 10: Prejudice
Modules 22 & 23
Week 11: Aggression
Modules 24 & 25
Week 12: Attraction and Intimacy
Modules 26 & 27
Week 13: Altruism
Module 30
Week 14: Conflict and Peacemaking
Modules 28 & 29
Week 15: Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future
Module 31
Week 16: Social Psychology in Court
No Module
DATES OF NOTE:
Jan. 17th (Mon.)
March 7th - 12th
April 7th (Thurs.)
May 9th (Mon.)
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No Classes
Spring Break - No Classes
Final day to withdraw from 16-week classes
Final Exam (2:00 – 2:30 P.M.)