Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students Fall 2009
Course Prefix and Number: PSY 210-02
Course Title: Social Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: MW 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Introduction:
The purpose of the Social Psychology course is to provide the student with an opportunity to
acquire knowledge and understanding of human beings in social situations. Social Psychology
focuses on the behavior of individuals in a wide range of diverse social settings and seeks to
understand human interaction.
Social Psychology provides an atmosphere to develop critical thinking abilities through the open
discussion of social issues such as child abuse, war, conformity, drug abuse, homeless people,
discrimination, poverty, aggression and education and environmental issues, and other issues
relevant to our culturally diverse society. Open discussion of personal viewpoints is designed to
develop interpersonal understanding, compassion and prosocial values.
Catalog Description:
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 towards 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. Includes specific study of the social psychology of politics, business,
and law. Prerequisite: PSY 101.
Instructor Information:
Instructors names: Renee Lewis & Douglas Simeone
Phone number to contact instructor (Doug): (309) 268-8575
Email address: Renee.Lewis@heartland.edu & Doug.Simeone@heartland.edu
Website: http://employee.heartland.edu/dsimeone/index.htm
Location of Doug’s office: WDC 1215 (located in WDC 1200 office area)
Doug’s office hours (or schedule an appointment with Doug or Renee):
Mondays: 1:15 – 1:45 p.m. in Pontiac (1/2 hour)
Tuesdays: 11:15 – 12:15 in Lincoln (1 hour)
Wednesdays: 1:15 – 1:45 in Pontiac (1/2 hour)
Thursdays: 9:45 – 11:30 on campus; 2:00 – 3:15 in Lincoln (3 hours)
Textbook:
Required:
Myers. (2007) Exploring Social Psychology. 4th Ed. Boston, MA. The
McGraw Hill Companies.
Twain. (2003) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York, N.Y.
Bentam Dell.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
(Indicate if course is General Education/IAI)
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social 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 at www.itransfer.org for
more information.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
Upon completion of this course, students will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Be able to communicate an understanding of social psychology as a scientific
field of investigation.
Analyze critically the processes of person perception and attribution.
Have knowledge of basic theories of personal attraction and types of love.
Understand the process of forming attitudes and beliefs.
Identify and appraise the nature of altruistic behavior and the causes of bystander
apathy.
Demonstrate knowledge of theories of aggression and evaluate the problem of
interpersonal violence.
Understand the origin and maintenance of prejudice.
Analyze critically the factors that lead to obedience and conformity and be able to
cite applicable research examples.
Understand factors in persuasive communication that contribute to attitude
change.
Have a basic understanding of the formation of groups as well as leadership
dynamics and styles of individual participation.
Demonstrate understanding of the many factors involved in interpersonal
relations.
Apply social psychology to the fields of politics, business, and law.
13.
Be able to apply the theories of social 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.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Introducing Social Psychology
a.
Social Psychology and Related Disciplines
b.
Descriptive Research Methods
c.
Experimental Research Methods
The Self in a Social World
a.
Self-Concept
b.
Self-Serving Bias
c.
Self-Presentation
Social Beliefs and Judgments
a.
Explaining Others’ Behavior
b.
Constructing Interpretations
c.
Judging Others
Behavior and Attitudes
a.
How do Attitudes Affect Behavior?
b.
How does Behavior Affect Attitudes?
Gender, Genes, and Culture
a.
Human Nature and Culture
b.
Gender Similarities and Differences
c.
Culture and Gender
Conformity
a.
Classic Studies (Milgram, Asch, and Sherif)
b.
When, Why, and Who Conforms?
c.
Resisting Social Pressure
Persuasion
a.
Two Routes to Persuasion
b.
The Elements of Persuasion
c.
Resisting Persuasion
Group Influence
a.
Social Facilitation
b.
Social Loafing
c.
Deindividuation
d.
Group Polarization
e.
Groupthink
f.
Minority Influence
Prejudice: Disliking Others
a.
Nature of Prejudice
b.
Social Sources of Prejudice
c.
Emotional Sources of Prejudice
d.
Cognitive Sources of Prejudice
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
e.
Reducing Prejudice
Aggression: Hurting Others
a.
Theories of Aggression
b.
Influences on Aggression
c.
Reducing Aggression
Attraction and Intimacy
a.
Friendships
b.
Love
c.
Maintaining and Ending Relationships
Altruism: Helping Others
a.
Why do we help?
b.
When do we help?
c.
Who do we help?
d.
Increasing helping?
Conflict and Peacemaking
a.
Conflict
b.
Peacemaking
Social Psychology in the Clinic
a.
Social Cognition and Behavior
b.
Social Psychological Approaches to Changing Behavior
c.
Social Support and Well-Being
Social Psychology in Court
a.
Eyewitness Testimony
b.
Influences on Judgments
c.
Jury as a Group
Methods of Instruction:
Instructional methods for this course may include lecture, group discussions, small group activities
and the use of videos.
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation: Projects, Exams and Final Exam
Guidelines for the projects and final exam are posted on the class web page, and can be
found at:
http://employee.heartland.edu/dsimeone/PSY 210//psy210mainpage.htm
Projects (students must complete BOTH of the following projects):
Project 1: Each student is required to write a 4-5 page paper dealing with numerous concepts
of social psychology that pertain to the student’s life. More in-depth information about this
assignment will be discussed during the first few weeks of the semester. This option is
designed to help students recognize how relevant the study of social psychology is to their
lives. Total points possible = 100
Project 2: Each student must visit a culture/ethnicity/religion to which they do not belong.
The student is required to make at least 2 visits to an institution that fits one of these criteria
and observe the behavior of others and take part, when appropriate, in that which is
occurring. Students must then write a 4-5 page paper discussing their experience, and also
speculate how their lives might be different if they were raised as a member of this group.
This option is designed to help students recognize the power of the situation and the
importance of diversity. Total points possible = 100
Projects must be turned in by the date/time they are due. Late assignments will not be
accepted, resulting in a score of zero. Total points possible for projects = 200.
Semester Exams: Students will have 3 exams during the course of the semester. Students
will be tested on material taken from the lectures as well as material from the text that I have
not lectured on. Each exam will be worth up to 50 points.
Make-up Exam Policy: Students missing class on an exam day must contact me before
class begins to let me know why they won’t be in class. Prior to making up the exam
students must provide appropriate written documentation (e.g., doctor’s note) as to
why the exam was missed. Students not following these guidelines will not be permitted
to make up the exam and will receive a score of zero. The make-up exam will consist of 7
essay questions, of which the student will respond to the 5 of his/her choice. The exam must
be made up within 1 week of when the in-class exam was administered. Students who have
not taken the make-up exam within the one week time frame will receive a score of zero on
the exam. Students who know ahead of time that they won’t be in class for a scheduled exam
can take the exam early, but must give me at least 2 days notice prior to taking the exam.
Students will be given at least 1 week’s notice as to when an exam will be administered.
Students can only make up one exam. Students missing more than one exam will receive a
score of zero on each additional exam missed. Total points possible - 150
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 550 points in this class. Each written
projects is worth up to 100 points, for a total worth of 200 points. There are 3 semester exams,
each worth up to 50 points, for a total of up to 150 points. The Final Exam is worth up to 200
points. Each student’s final grade will be determined as follows:
495-550 points earned = A (90-100%)
440-494 points earned = B (80-89%)
385-439 points earned = C (70-79%)
330-384 points earned = D (60-69%)
329 points and below = F (59% and below)
Participation/Attendance:
It is expected that students will participate in each class in a meaningful way. My expectation is
that students will voluntarily respond to questions posed. Most students may not know the
answers too many of the questions posed during class. I do, however, expect students to think
critically about what has been asked, and to then make an attempt to respond to it. Remember,
the only days in class you need to know all the answers are the exam days.
It is expected that students will attend each class. While I will be taking attendance each day, it
will not impact a student’s grade. Students not attending class do, however, run the risk of being
dropped at midterm if they have not completed the required exams and/or turned in their
assignments.
Incompletes: Policy as written in Heartland Community College’s catalogue.
Extra Credit: This instructor doesn’t give extra credit assignments as he does not believe in
inflating grades.
Deadlines: Any and all assignments must be turned in by the due date/time. Late
assignments will not be accepted, resulting in a score of zero.
Required Writing and Reading:
Every instructor will require a minimum of 10 pages of writing from each student. This may
be accomplished through a combination of various writing requirements such as: term
papers, essay questions on exams, journals, or other written assignments.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (Optional)
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College
and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because
grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of
their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious
offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion
from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far
beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning
cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification
of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or
administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college
catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper,
create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work,
except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is
considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
1
2
3
4
5
6
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it
were your own.
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as
if it were your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure -on the particular piece
of work, failure in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from the Modem Language Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Support Services:
Open Computing Lab www.hcc.cc.il.us/asc/computerlab.html
The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times
throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of
approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric typewriter.
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in
the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web
site. Go to to learn what classes have been cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be
sure to check the last column, which might contain a message from the instructor.
Syllabi disclaimer:
This syllabus is printed on paper, not written in stone. 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 number of exams given or the point totals of the written project, semester exams or
the final exam. Further, changes will not be made in how the student’s final grade is determined.
Course Calendar:
Dates of Note:
Sept. 7th (Mon.)
Nov. 4th (Wed.)
Nov. 25 – 27
Dec. 9th (Wed.)
PowerPoint
Presentations
Text Readings
Chapter 1
Modules 1 & 2
Chapter 2
Modules 3-5
Chapter 3
Modules 6-8
Chapter 4
Module 9
Chapter 6
Module 14
Chapter 7
Modules 15 & 16
Chapters 8
Modules 17-21
Chapter 9
Modules 22 & 23
Chapter 10
Modules 24 & 25
Chapter 11
Modules 26 & 27
Chapter 12
Module 30
Chapter 13
Modules 28 & 29
Module B
Social Psychology in Court
LABOR DAY – NO CLASSES
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM 16-WEEK CLASSES
THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASSES
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM (2:00 - 2:15 PM)
Due dates/times for the projects will be included with the online postings that detail the
requirements for each assignment. Exams dates will be announced in class and also posted
online. The guidelines and date/time for the final exam will also be posted online.
Adapted by the Curriculum and Academic Standards Committee June 1998
Adapted 6/98, Updated 8/21/01