COURSE:                      PY/SO 442--SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

                                    (3 Credit Hours), Distance Learning/Internet

 

INSTRUCTOR:              Jerri Bullard

                                    563 Stevens Hall

                                    Office phone: 256.765.4531

                                    Home phone: 256.757.8453

                                    E-Mail:  Jhbullard@una.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS*:          Monday: 9:00 – 11:00

                                    Wednesday: 9:00 – 12:00                      

 

*Other times are available by appointment.  Occasionally other commitments (e.g., committee meetings) may impinge upon stated office hours.

 

TEXT:                           Social Psychology, by John D. DeLamater and Daniel J. Myers, Sixth Edition, Thompson/Wadsworth Publishing.

 

DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:  The primary purpose of this course is to introduce students to the field of Social Psychology and to the idea that the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.  In sum, it will examine the psychology of groups and their influences on the individual.  It is anticipated that the student will develop an understanding of the above in relation to such areas as attitudes, attitude change, conformity, compliance, obedience, attraction, aggression, and prosocial behavior. 

 

GRADING:  Grades will be determined on the basis of points accumulated on exams.  Four exams will be given including the final.  Class participation and attendance will be beneficial to those borderline between grades.

 

GRADING SYSTEM:                  A = 90-100                                D = 60-69

                                                 B = 80-89                                 F = below 60

                                                C = 70-79

 

DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES:    Exam I = 20%

                                                Exam II = 20%

                                                Exam III = 20%

                                                Exam IV = 20%

                                                Assignment I = 10%

                                                Assignment II = 10%

 

EXAMS:  Exams will consist of material from powerpoints and assigned readings.  There will be four major exams including the final exam which will be objective in nature (fill in the blank, multiple choice, true-false).  Make-up exams will be essay and will be given at a designated time at the end of the term.  If taking a make-up exam, arrangements should be made prior to, or immediately following, the exam missed.  Also, no grades may be given out over the phone.

 

Assignments:   Each student will be responsible for submitting responses to two assignments.  These may be accessed via the WEB-CT course page under the assignment icon.  Responses should be submitted using the same WEB CT course page.  Question responses will not be accepted after the due date, so please pay attention to your calendar!  All due dates and exam dates will be listed on the WEB CT calendar. 

 

LEARNING DISABILITIES POLICY:  It is the policy of the University of North Alabama to afford equal opportunity in education to qualified students.  If you have a disability that may prevent you from meeting the course requirements, contact the instructor within the first three class sessions to file a Student Disability Statement and to develop an accommodation plan.  Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations will be made to allow you to meet the requirements, provided that you are timely in working with the instructor to develop an accommodation plan.

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE:

 

I.          Introduction to Social Psychology                                    Chapter 1

 

II.          Research Methods in Social Psychology                         Chapter 2

 

EXAM I                                                                                     Chapters 1, 2

 

III.         Self and Identity                                                             Chapter 4

 

IV.        Social Perception and Cognition                                      Chapter 5

 

V.         Attitudes                                                                       Chapter 6

 

EXAM II                                                                                    Chapters 4, 5, 6

 

VI.        Symbolic Communication and Language                          Chapter 7

 

VII.       Social Influence and Persuasion                                      Chapter 8

 

EXAM III                                                                                   Chapters 7, 8

 

VIII.       Group Cohesion and Conformity                                      Chapter 14/15

 

IX.         Aggression                                                                    Chapter 12

 

X.         Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships                        Chapter 13

 

FINAL EXAM                                                                            Chaps. 12, 13, 14/15