Social Psychology - Sociology - University of Western Ontario

UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO The Department of Sociology Social Psychology Sociology 2233-650 Fall 2013/ Winter 2014 Instructor: Dr. S. Ricard Email: [email protected] or Sakai messages (preferred). Prerequisites: Sociology 1021 or Sociology 1021E. Antirequisite: Sociology 2234E Course Description: This course will provide an analysis of the theories and research of human conduct in social settings. Learning Outcomes: • Demonstrate knowledge of the core areas of Social Psychological investigation. • Apply Social Psychology theories and concepts to current events and case studies. • Read, synthesize and evaluate readings in Social Psychology. • Demonstrate understanding of appropriate Social Psychology research methods. • Ability to use Social Psychology to evaluate social phenomena. Course Portal: The on-line version of Social Psychology makes use of OWL, powered by Sakai, a course management system found on the University’s server– https://owl.uwo.ca. Once you have entered the above URL, you will be prompted for your user name and password. Information about getting started with on-line courses can be found by accessing the Distance Studies Office. Required Texts: 1) Aronson, E., Wilson, T., Akert, R., & Fehr, B. (2013). Social Psychology (5th Canadian edition). Toronto: Pearson Education Canada. Note: session requires the 5th Canadian edition. 2) Lesko, W. (ed.). (2012). Readings in Social Psychology: General classic and contemporary selections. (8th edition). Toronto: Pearson. Note: session requires the 8th edition. *N.B.—Both texts are available at the bookstore as a package. 3) Online readings Page 1 of 6

Evaluation: Term One

Term Two

Annotated Bibliography: 5%

Course Project: 15%

Midterm Exam: 30%

Final Exam: 30%

Participation: 10%

Participation: 10%

Due Dates: Term One

Term Two

Annotated Bibliography: December 2, 2103

Course Project: March 31, 2014

Midterm Exam: TBA

Final Exam: TBA

Participation: Continuous Participation: Continuous Note: All course requirements are due at 11:59pm.

Lecture Notes Lecture notes are available through the side menu on the left hand side of your screen. Each week’s lecture(s) are labelled according to week and topic. Lecture notes are automatically released to students the Monday of the week we cover the topic at 12:00pm. Students are responsible for all of the specified readings. All exams will be based on a combination of readings and lecture material.

Participation Grade As the course discussions section allows everyone to read all of the posted messages, we will also use this forum for class participation. Your grade for class participation will be based on your submissions to the participation section of the discussions areas. You will be assessed for the frequency, the quality of, and the use of course material in your participation. You can earn up to 20% of your grade by submitting messages spaced throughout the course related to the course content (10% per term). For full marks, you must participate in 10 of the 11 participation forums each term. You will be assessed twice for your participation grade— once at midterm in December and again in April. To receive full marks for this section, it is not enough to merely say that you liked or disliked a reading, topic, point in the lecture notes, etc. – you must explain your position explicitly using the course content to support your position. This means that you should incorporate the material from lectures, the reader and the textbook in your responses to receive full grades. Since active participation is most beneficial, the participation areas will close on Sundays at 11:59pm of the week after we cover a section in the course. The participation should help you to keep on track with your readings and will hopefully foster a sense of community. Although not for credit, you can also use the discussion area of OWL to ask questions about assignments, exams, etc. Page 2 of 6

Exams Exams will be based on the material covered in the on-line lecture notes and on the assigned readings. Both exams will be 2 hours in length. Each of the exams will consist of multiple choice, true and false and short answer questions. Note: Both the midterm and final exams for this course must be taken in person at a designated exam location.

Course Project Students will complete a course project using key social psychology ideas and concepts. For this project, students will submit an annotated bibliography (worth 5%) at the end of the first term and post their completed projects in the forums section of the course at the end of the second term (worth 15%). In addition to completing and posting your own project, you will read and comment on the projects of at least three of your colleagues. The comments are a graded part of your project. Full course project details can be found in the assignments section of the course. Late Submissions: There is a 5% deduction, per day (including weekends), for assignments submitted past the deadline (for example, if you received 75% on your assignment, but it was 2 days late, you would receive a 65%). After 14 days, no assignment will be accepted and will automatically receive a 0. Warning: You will have to become familiar with the OWL assignment submission feature prior to the deadline, as not knowing how to use the system will not be accepted as a valid excuse for late submissions and late marks will be deducted.

Departmental Marking Policy You should be aware that the Department of Sociology has adopted grade distribution guidelines that all instructors are required to follow. For Sociology courses at the 2100 and 2200 level • “A”s are not to exceed “B”s • Class averages must be in the range of 66-70%

Academic and Scholarship Policy All work submitted for this course must be your own and materials taken from other sources must be correctly cited. Please read the university academic and scholarship policy http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

“Computer-marked multiple choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.” http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/exam/crsout.pdf.

Support Services Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

Page 3 of 6

Missed Exams and Late Work You should understand that academic accommodation will not be granted automatically on request. If, due to medical illness, you cannot write a test or exam, or submit an assignment by the due date, it is your responsibility to follow the University’s new “Policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness”. This policy can be accessed at: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/accommodation_medical.pdf

Compassionate Grounds Serious Illness of a Family Member: Inform your instructor as soon as possible and submit a medical certificate from the family member's physician to your home faculty’s Academic Counselling office. In Case of a Death: Inform your instructor as soon as possible and submit a copy of the newspaper notice, death certificate or documentation provided by the funeral director to your home faculty’s Academic Counselling office.

Technical Problems When Submitting Assignments If you encounter technical problems when submitting any assignment, email your assignment before the due date/time to avoid late penalties. After you have submitted your assignment via email, contact ITS to resolve the problem. Technical problems are not considered a valid reason for late assignments.

Page 4 of 6

Reading Schedule: Term 1 Topic(s) Week

Readings

Week 1: September 9

Welcome to Sociology 2233

Week 2: September 16

Understanding Social Psychology

Aronson et al.: Chapter 1 Lesko: Articles 4 & 5


Doing Social Psychology I: Theories and Methods

Aronson et al.: Chapter 2 (27-40) Lesko: Articles 1 & 3


Doing Social Psychology II: Experiments and Techniques

Aronson et al.: Chapter 2 (40-53) Lesko: Article 2

Week 5: October 7

Cognition, Schemas and Heuristics

Aronson et al.: Chapter 3 (p.55-76) Lesko: Articles 7

Week 6: October 14

Cognition, Schemas and Heuristics

Aronson et al.: Chapter 3 (p.76-86) Lesko: Articles 8

Week 7: October 21

Language and Communication: Non-verbal and Verbal


Week 8: October 28

Attributions and Impressions


Week 9: November 4

Understanding Our Selves


Week 10: November 11 Self-Evaluation & Self-Esteem


Week 11: November 18 Attitudes and Attitude Change


Week 12: November 25 Cognitive Dissonance


Week 13: December 2

Aronson et al.: Chapter 6 (163-177)

Persuasion and Propaganda

Midterm Exam—Scheduled by Registrar During the Distance Studies December Exam Period (December 11-14)

Page 5 of 6

Reading Schedule: Term 2 Week Week 14: January 6

Topic(s)

Readings

Conformity


Week 15: January 13

Compliance and Obedience

Aronson et al.: Chapter 7 (219-232) Lesko: Articles 25 & 26 Online Reading: Burger

Week 16: January 20

The Nature of Groups, Leadership & Decision Making

Aronson et al.: Chapter 8 Lesko: Article 34

Week 17: January 27

Social Psychology of Justice and the Law

Aronson et al.: Action 3 (463-492) Lesko: Articles 40, 41, & 42

Week 18: February 3

Altruism

Aronson et al.: Chapter 10 Lesko: Articles 29 & 30

Falling in Love

Aronson et al.: Chapter 9 (271-291) Lesko: Articles 19 & 20 Online Reading: Berger & Kellner

Week 19: February 10

February 17-21

Reading Week—No Classes

Week 20: February 24

Falling Out of Love

Aronson et al.: Chapter 9 (291-309) Lesko: Articles 22 & 23 Online Reading: Vaughn

Week 21: March 3

Aggression


Week 22: March 10

Aggression


Week 23: March 17

Prejudice and Discrimination

Aronson et al.: Chapter 12 Lesko: Article 18

Week 24: March 24

Social Psychology of Health and Illness

Aronson et al.: Action 2 (433-460) Lesko: Articles 43 & 44

Week 25: March 31

Social Psychology of the Environment

Aronson et al.: Action 1 (417-430)

Week 26: April 7

Study Week

Final Exam—Scheduled by Registrar During April Exam Period (April 11-30)

Page 6 of 6

Social Science

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 661-2111 x 82147 for any specific question regarding an accommodation.