Social Psychology

Course Details

Course Number: 3403  Section Number: X10

Fall 2010

Location: Off-Campus

Classroom Number: NA (WebCT course online)

Days & Times:

variable (WebCT online course)

Course Attachments

Social Psychology  PSYC_SOCL3403Syllabus_fall2010.htm

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Beverly L. Stiles   
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Course Objectives

This is a general survey course designed to introduce the student to concepts of and issues examined by Social Psychology. 


Course Expectations

1.  Weekly Participation:

 Weekly Participation is worth 72 points (6 points for each of 12 chapters).  I will post one to three questions for each chapter.  I want actual dialogue here rather than simply responding by saying “I agree” or “I disagree.”  I want to see some thought put into your responses and some evidence of support for what you say.  Please remember to be civil…..(define this…no cursing, don’t put someone down, provide each other with an open environment for discussing and disagreement, but be careful of the manner in which you do so).  I will post discussion questions for each chapter (sometimes I do this a couple weeks in advance for those who read ahead and like to post in advance, or so that students know what questions will have to be answered as they’re reading the chapter).  Discussion will close at 11:00 pm each Sunday night for each chapter.  If you post after that, it won’t count for you.  You are to post YOUR initial response to the questions BY FRIDAY EVENING AT 11:00 PM.  This gives everyone the weekend (through Sunday night at 11:00) to respond to the postings of at least 3 (THREE) other students.  (see below for policy on grading weekly participation).

2.  Exams:

There are 4 multiple choice exams; each worth 100 points

3.  Current Event Article:

 Current Event Article (worth 28 points).  You are required to find a current event article (from New York Times, Newsweek, Time etc.) that you can analyze in terms of something social psychological, something you have learned from this course.  I want you to summarize this article in 1 to 2 pages (or more if necessary).  Be sure it is thoroughly analyzed by integrating material from the text and telling how they relate to the issue(s) in the article.  You may apply one or more concepts from social psychology.  You must have the title of the article as well as the name of the magazine or newspaper from which it appears, and the date.  It can’t be any older than one year.  There is a heading for where this is to be posted, under the discussion link.  Please also note that two people can’t post over the same article, so you need to notice what articles others are using to make certain you haven’t chosen the same one.  If you post over an article that someone else has used, you will not receive credit for it, so be careful.  Everyone is required to read the current event posting of at least one other classmate and make suggestions for how it can be improved or comment on how you see it might be relevant to other material in the text.  This is due BEFORE Nov 27th---This gives you through Friday, Dec. 3rd to comment on at least one other current event posting.  Dec. 3rd is the last day of classes.

 


Submission Format Policy

Since this is a webCT course, exams are taken online.  For the final exam, I'll leave the exam open from Dec. 4th at 8:00 am through Dec. 7th (Tuesday) at 11 PM.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Students will not receive credit for turning in assignments late or posting late.  Nor will they receive credit for reading the postings of fellow classmates after the chapter discussion closes.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

I may drop a student for missing more than one week of participation, or for not reading the postings of classmates.  A student with an excused reason may take a makeup exam when an exam has been missed, but will have 10 points deducted from the score.  A student who misses two exams will need to drop the course, or receive an F for the course.


Other Policies

 

GRADING for Participation:

The chapter discussions are graded according to the following:

Plus 2 for posting your initial posting by due date at 11 pm *and* for responding to the postings of your classmates by Sunday night (11 PM)

Plus 2 for reading at least 4/5  (four fifths) of the postings of your classmates by 11 pm Sunday (when the chapter topic closes)

Plus 2 for posting such that it is evident that you are drawing from material that you have read for the current chapter (quality).  Note:  if you don’t do the required postings and responses, then there won’t be much quality for me to interpret either, so you’ll miss points for both (posting on time and quality).


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.