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 Social Psychology 321
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Course Objectives
- Understand theories about social behavior and thinking
- Learn specific methods and results of research studies and what they tell us about social behavior
- Become acquainted with types of methodology used in the field of social psychology
- Apply course concepts to your everyday life
- Read a journal article and write a coherent and thoughtful summary and response
- Learn APA style source citation and referencing
- Develop skills using technology for learning (e.g., independently learn to create an online presentation, use a google doc, view videos & lecture screencasts, take a quiz and two exams online, post in our Discussion Board)
Text
Baron, R. A., & Branscombe, N. R. (2012). Social psychology (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Online Format
You are expected to check Blackboard regularly for announcements. As this is an online course, it is essential that you have reliable internet access, interest in maximizing learning in an online format, ability to learn new technology as needed for course assignments, and a willingness to trouble-shoot technological problems that you will face. Your success in this class will depend on your initiative and discipline.
Online lectures of PowerPoint slides with my voice-over will be posted in Blackboard at the start of each week, and you can choose any time to listen to them and take notes. However, due dates for assignments and exams are not flexible, and due dates and requirements for Discussion Board assignments will be announced as we go, so you’ll need to be actively engaged in the course each week.
Journal Article Reflection Paper
This assignment will give you an opportunity to use a primary source rather than the textbook. You will read one journal article from a selection I provide. Requirements include (1) a summary of the theory and research findings reported in the journal article and (2) your own hypothetical or real examples or ideas related to the research findings.
Online Presentation
The focus of the presentation will be (1) description and (2) creative examples of an assigned course concept. Using a program such as Jing (available free) or some other type of video (e.g., camera), you will create and share a 4-5 min presentation online. It will be your responsibility to learn how to create and post a screencast or video presentation.
Discussion Board
The Discussion Board will allow you to participate actively in class. Face-to-face, you would have an opportunity to participate in class discussions, sharing examples with classmates and learning from each other. To approximate that experience, you will post comments and responses to Discussion Board prompts throughout the semester. Prompts will be on various topics (e.g., applying course concepts, reflecting on classmates’ online presentations, reacting to an online video, providing feedback to classmates’ comments). We’re all relying on you to provide thoughtful and interesting posts in our Discussion Board. Due dates, requirements, and point values will be announced as we go.
Exams
You will take a quiz and two midterm exams online, and will take a cumulative final exam on campus at a scheduled time. You must complete the online quiz and exams during a time period that will be announced ahead of time. Questions will be multiple choice (with possibly some short answer) and will cover content from the textbook as well as content from lectures. If you must delay taking an exam for a valid reason, you need to contact me to request approval prior to test day (unless a true emergency arises, in which case you should contact me as soon as possible). Exams will be given on days indicated on the syllabus – the dates will not change. When you take the quiz and exams, you should work independently, without referring to course materials or other resources. See VCU Honors Policy.
Grading Policy
Quiz 50 pts
Paper 25 pts
Online Presentation 25 pts
Discussion Board 50 pts
Midterm Exams (2 x 100) 200 pts
Final Exam 150 pts
TOTAL POINTS 500 pts |
Divide your points by the possible points:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F <60% |
Note: No extra credit will be offered and no grades will be “dropped.” Also, unless you have a documented excuse like you would for missing an exam, no late assignments (paper, presentation, discussion board posts) will be accepted.
University Policies and Deadlines
Students should be familiar with VCU's guidelines for student conduct.
Dates
Jan. 27 is the last day to provide advance written notification to instructors with intent to observe religious holidays. Mar. 23 is the last day to withdraw with a grade of "W." If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an academic adjustment or an accommodation, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Disability Support Services
If you will be taking exams at Disability Support Services, it is your responsibility to remind me of that a week prior to each exam.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with Ms. Joyce Knight (jbknight@vcu.edu, (804) 828-2253, Student Commons), the coordinator of services for students with disabilities.
What to Know and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU
1. Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts. Keep your information up-to-date.
2. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
3. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
4. Know where to go for additional emergency information.
5. Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.
Cheating (see University Honors Policy)
Any form of cheating or plagiarism will be dealt with severely. When you write papers, you should (a) use your own words to express your own ideas; (b) use your own words to express someone else’s ideas and cite the source; and/or (c) put quotes around someone else’s words and cite the source. I encourage you to ask for help before turning in a paper (the Writing Center would be a good resource). When you take quizzes or exams, you should work independently, without referring to course materials or other resources. If you violate any of these rules, your work will be submitted to the Academic Integrity Office (Honor Council). Possible sanctions include receiving a zero on the assignment or failing the class, depending on the severity of the infraction.
VCU Honor System: Plagiarism and Academic Integrity
The VCU honor system policy describes the responsibilities of students, faculty, and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. According to his policy, “members of the academic community are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity.” In addition, “All members of the VCU community are presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System and are required to:
- Agree to be bound by the Honor System policy and its procedures;
- Report suspicion or knowledge of possible violations of the Honor System;
- Support an environment that reflects a commitment to academic integrity;
- Answer truthfully when called upon to do so regarding Honor System cases, and,
- Maintain confidentiality regarding specific information in Honor System cases.
Most importantly, “All VCU students are presumed upon enrollment to have acquainted themselves with and have an understanding of the Honor System.” (The VCU INSIDER, VCU Honor System 131-132).
The Honor System in its entirety can be reviewed on the Web at http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf
Student Conduct in the Classroom
According to the VCU Resource Guide, “The instructional program at VCU is based upon the premise that students enrolled in a class are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other students. Accordingly, in classrooms, laboratories, studies, and other learning areas, students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner so that the faculty member can proceed with their customary instruction. Faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) may set reasonable standards for classroom behavior in order to serve these objectives. If a student believes that the behavior of another student is disruptive, the instructor should be informed.” Among other things, cell phones and beepers should be turned off while in the classroom. Also, the University Rules and Procedures prohibit anyone from having “…in his possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of the university..." See the VCU Resource Guide for more information: http://www.students.vcu.edu/insider.html
The VCU Resource Guide contains additional important information about a number of other policies with which students should be familiar, including Guidelines on Prohibition of Sexual Harassment, Grade Review Procedure, and Ethics Policy on Computing. It also contains maps, phone numbers, and information about resources available to VCU students. The VCU Resource Guide is available online at the link above or through the Division of Student Affairs.
Statement on Military Short-Term Training or Deployment
Military students may receive orders for short-term training or deployment. These students are asked to inform and present their orders to their professor(s). For further information on policies and procedures contact Military Services at 828-5993 or access the corresponding policies at http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/bulletins/about/?Default.aspx?uid=10096&iid=30704 and http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/BULLETINS/undergraduate/?uid=10096&iid=30773.
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