SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
SUMMER 2007

Instructor: Pam McAuslan, Ph.D.

Department of Behavioral Sciences
University of Michigan - Dearborn
4901 Evergreen Avenue
Dearborn, MI  48128-1491

Phone: (313) 593-5376
Fax: (313) 593-5552 

email: pmcausla@umd.umich.edu

Office Hour: by appointment

 

Course Website:  https://ctools.umich.edu/

A mandatory orientation session for registered and waitlisted students
will be held on Monday, May 7, from 5-6pm in 4051 CB.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Kenrick, D.T., Neuberg, S.L., & Cialdini, R.B. (2007). Social psychology: Goals in Interaction (4th edition). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

OVERVIEW

Psychology 320 offers an introductory study of the inter-relationships of the functioning of social systems and the behavior and attitudes of individuals. This course will use computer aided-instruction. This class will be conducted entirely online using e-mail and online systems. Ability to use a computer and modem from home or access to a computer lab is essential.

EXAMS

 

There are four exams, each accounting for 15% of your grade. Exams include material from both the lectures and the textbook. You are responsible for information presented in lectures, even if it is not covered in the textbook. The format includes multiple choice, true-false, and fill-in-the-blank questions.  The exams will be conducted on campus. Dates and time are provided below. If you cannot make either of the scheduled times, arrangements can be made to take the exam in the Distance Learning office – this requires instructor approval. For UAW-Ford students, exams will be proctored in their plant.  There will be no make-up exams.

    EXAM #1 (Chapters 1 - 4):   Tuesday May 22rd (either 10-11am or 5-6pm)
    EXAM #2 (Chapters 5 - 8):   Tuesday June 5th (either 10-11am or 5-6pm)
    EXAM #3 (Chapters 9 - 11):   Thursday June 14th (either 10-11am or 5-6pm)

    
EXAM #4 (Chapters 12-14):   Thursday June 28th (either 10-11am or 5-6pm)

 

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY MINI-PORTFOLIO

 

The portfolio accounts for 25% of your grade. You are required to create a portfolio of news and magazine clippings that illustrate social psychological concepts. You can use articles, editorials, advertisements, advice columns, photographs, cartoons, etc. This assignment provides the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of social psychological concepts and critical thinking skills. It is NOT about your ability to Google search keywords from the chapters. Clippings from the internet will be accepted; however, points will be deducted if it is clear you have gone the Google route. 

 

For each chapter find one or two clippings, write a brief explanation of the relevant social psychological principle(s) (i.e., one paragraph describing the concept in your own words; make sure to cite textbook where appropriate), and then specifically relate the item to the concepts from the textbook in one paragraphs (i.e., one paragraph that describes how the clipping(s) relate to the concept). You must include at least one item for each of the following chapters: Chapter 3 – Social Cognition – Understanding Ourselves and Others; Chapter 5 – Attitudes and Persuasion; Chapter 6 – Social Influence: Conformity, Compliance and Obedience; Chapter 8 – Love and Romantic Relationships; Chapter 11 – Prejudice, Stereotyping and Discrimination plus one chapter of your choosing.  Therefore you are required to have a total of 6 chapters. You should limit the length of the portfolio to no more than one or two pages per chapter (including the clippings).  Points will be deducted if the portfolio does not meet or exceeds these standards. If you select a newspaper/magazine/internet article, please highlight the relevant section. 

 

I will bring examples of well-done portfolios to the exams. This assignment could be done completely online by scanning the clippings into the computer, creating a PowerPoint presentation, and sending it as an attachment to the instructor.  Alternatively, you can create a hard copy of your portfolio and mail it to the instructor at the address listed above.  In either case portfolios are due Thursday June 21st by 3:00pm. Late portfolios will be penalized 5% per day they are late.

 

STUDENT DISCUSSION

 

Participation in online discussions account for 15% for your grade. You are required to fully participate in the discussions each week. Every week one or two discussion questions will be posted for the class to consider; the deadline for participation is 11:59pm on Sunday night. Each student is expected to read and respond to other students' comments. Your mark will be based on the overall level and quality of your comments. However, part of your mark will be based on your encouragement of other students to participate and your careful consideration and response to other's comments.

 

STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

 

The University of Michigan-Dearborn values academic honesty and integrity.  Each student has a responsibility to understand, accept, and comply with the University’s standards of academic conduct as set forth by the Code of Academic Conduct, as well as policies established by schools and colleges.  Cheating, collusion, misconduct, fabrication, and plagiarism are considered serious offenses.  Violations will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including expulsion from the University.

 

GRADING SCALE

GRADE

PERCENTAGE

GRADE

PERCENTAGE

A

100 – 93%

C

76 - 73%

A-

92 – 90%

C-

72 - 70%

B+

89 – 87%

D+

69 - 67%

B

86 – 83%

D

66 - 63%

B-

82 – 80%

D-

62 - 60%

C+

79 – 77%

less than 60% 

 

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS

WEEK

TOPIC

REQUIRED
READING

WEEK 1

(May 7)

Introduction to Social Psychology

Chapter 1

WEEK 2

(May 14)

Social Cognition 1: The Person and the Situation
Social Cognition 2: Understanding Ourselves and Others

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

 WEEK 3 

(May 21) 

Presenting the Self                                                         EXAM #1
Attitudes and Persuasion

Chapter 4
Chapter 5

WEEK 4

(May 28)

Social Influence
Interpersonal Relationships: Affiliation and Friendship

Chapter 6
Chapter 7

WEEK 5

(June 4)

Interpersonal Relationships: Love and Romance        EXAM #2
Prosocial Behavior

Chapter 8
Chapter 9

WEEK 6
(June 11)

Aggression
Prejudice                                                                      EXAM #3

Chapter 10
Chapter 11

WEEK 7

(June 18)

Groups

Social Dilemmas

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

WEEK 8

(June 25)

Integrating Social Psychology                                       EXAM #4

 Chapter 14