Course Information: Instructor Information:
Sec 1 (4477): T, Th 9:35-10:50 (SBS 317) Office: SBS 238
Sec 3 (6804) Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m. (SBS 104) Phone: 523-0575
Course Prerequisite: PSY 101 Email: Heidi.Wayment@nau.edu
Office Hours: M 11-12, Thursday 12-1

Teaching Assistant: Stephanie Slavin (SL6@dana.ucc.nau.edu) Office Hours Thursday 12:30-1:30 ______________________________________________________________________________

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is an introduction to social psychology. Social psychology is concerned with how we think about, influence, and relate to other people. You may be surprised how relevant social psychology is to your everyday life. This is a survey course that will examine a variety of important social phenomena as well as how social scientists uncover and explain such phenomena. The ability to evaluate social psychological research and apply social psychological principles in everyday life is a central emphasis of this course.

This course is a liberal studies course in the Social and Political Worlds distribution block. The thematic focus is Valuing the Diversity of Human Experience. This course will address several of the essential skills (critical thinking, scientific inquiry, effective writing, and using technology to enhance learning). These skills will be assessed during the course of the semester.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Aronson, E., Wilson, T.D., & Akert, R.M. (2005). Social Psychology (5th edition). New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishers.

Ruscher, J.B., & Hammer, E.Y. (2004). Current directions in social psychology. New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishers.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to identify the major social psychological theories (critical thinking).

Students will be able to identify and evaluate the scientific methodology utilized to study behavior from a social psychological perspective (scientific inquiry).

Students will be able to gather information from the library via computer searches using Psychinfo pertaining to social psychology (technology) and integrate and apply what they have learned (critical thinking)

Students will be able to apply social psychological principles and findings to their own lives (critical thinking, effective writing, valuing the diversity of human experience).

EVALUATION

Exams: There will be four exams. The exams will cover material primarily from the textbook and lectures. Study guides for each exam will be provided in class and on my website at least one week before the exam. Make-up exams will only be allowed if you notify me prior to the scheduled exam time, and only in the case of “authorized absences” (signed statement from physician or university official for university-related function). These exams are designed to assess your ability to critically evaluate major social psychological theories (critical thinking) and your understanding of scientific methodology utilized to study behavior (scientific inquiry). During the week prior to each exam a teaching assistant will hold an exam review session. For each chapter specific learning objectives are provided to help organize your notes and study for the exams. The time and location of the review sessions will be announced two weeks prior to the exam. There will be NO makeup opportunities for students who do not make arrangements before the exam.

Social Psychology Readings: You will have five reading assignments throughout the semester. For this assignment you will read articles in the Ruscher & Hammer (2004) text Current Directions in Social Psychology. Please review all of the articles in the assigned section. There are six sections in the book, you will be doing the first five sections. After you have chosen one of the articles in the designated section, read the article carefully and answer all of the critical thinking questions at the end of the reading. These assignments will be used to assess your ability to critically evaluate major social psychological theories (critical thinking), your ability to integrate and apply what you have learned (critical thinking, effective writing. Each paper is worth up to 5 points. Please limit your paper to a total of 500 words.

Personal Experience Essays: You will be asked to write five personal experience papers in which you demonstrate how some event from your personal experience can be understood using concepts from the course (i.e., social psychological theory). These assignments will be used to assess your ability to identify major social psychological theories (critical thinking), your ability to integrate and apply what you have learned (critical thinking, effective writing), and offer a perspective derived from your own experience (valuing the diversity of human experience). Each paper is worth up to 5 points. Please limit your paper to a total of 500 words.

Term Paper: Applying Social Psychology. Choose a current event and think about which social psychological theories or principles help explain either the event, or people’s reactions to the event. Using the computer data base available (e.g., PSYCHINFO) through Cline library and find four journal articles that are relevant to the social psychological theories you think help explain or help us understand the event. You are urged to find articles from the following list of journals: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Social Psychology Journal, Psychological Review, Psychological Bulletin, Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Journal of Social Issues, Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, or Personal Relationships. There are other journals that are also acceptable. If an article comes from a journal not listed here, please email me and ask before proceeding. For most current events, there are several social psychological theories that can help explain how different individuals can look at the same event and come away with two entirely different explanations or perceptions. This assignment is designed to assess your ability to gather information from the library to social psychology (technology) and integrate and apply what you have learned (critical thinking, effective writing). This assignment might be a particularly useful one to include in your learning portfolio, since it encompasses at least three of the essential skills. This assignment is worth up to 50 points. You will also be given a “Term Paper” Cover Grading Sheet to attach to the front of your paper. This sheet will be provided in class and is available on the website. Place your project in a simple 2-pocket folder. On the left side please place your paper with a grading sheet attached. On the right side, please provide complete copies of the four articles you used for your paper.

Extra credit option: Students may earn up to 10 points of extra credit by becoming participants in research conducted through the Psychology Department. The sign-up sheet is across from the Psychology Office (2nd floor, SBS). After you participate in a study please write a one-page (double-spaced) description of your participation (e.g., what was the study about, what did you do, what did you think, what were your reactions, etc.). Your participation in the study will also be independently verified by the researchers to me. You will also be given a written verification of your participation which you should keep in a safe place. You may earn up to 5 points for each study, and may only participate in 2 studies, for a total of 10 points. An alternative option will be provided for those individuals who do not wish to participate in such studies. ALL EXTRA CREDIT PAPERS ARE DUE BY NOVEMBER 23, 2004. NO EXCEPTIONS.