Social Psychology Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information
Instructor
Deborah Harding (Curriculum Vitae)Office Location
Dutton Hall 202-J
Office Hours
TO SET UP A MEETING: CONTACT ME BY PHONE: The VERY BEST WAY TO REACH ME IS AT MY CELL PHONE AT 
(806) 584-7569 between 9 AM and 9 PM, any day of the week.
PLEASE...NO TEXTING: Please note that I DO NOT TEXT MY STUDENTS and I DO NOT ACCEPT TEXT MESSAGES. If you can text me, then you can call me! AGAIN, my cell phone is 806 584-7569! If there is an occasion where I am traveling or cannot respond to you in a timely manner by phone, I will let you know that you can text me for that period of time. However, outside of that, PLEASE CALL! I enjoy talking to my students! If you text me, I will not respond to you! Sorry...I want to handle all student business over the phone or in an email!
If I'm not available when you call, I will call you back so please tell me your name, the best time to call you AND WHAT CLASS YOU ARE IN! That way, I can better answer your questions! Thanks! Also, we can set up a face to face conference if you want to!
EMAIL ME: You can also email me through the BLACKBOARD COURSE EMAIL feature! Again, if you email me outside the CLASSROOM ONLINE EMAIL SYSTEM, your email may not get to me. It may be treated as spam. SO, USE THE EMAIL FUNCTION IN THE ONLINE CLASS! It's in the MENU to the left of the screen and it says Send an EMAIL! Click on that and then select SEND AN EMAIL TO THE INSTRUCTORS in the CLASS!
OFFICE HOURS and APPOINTMENT TIMES:
FOR ONLINE CLASSES or ON-CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED CLASSES: THE BEST WAY TO SET UP AN INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENT is to CALL ME ON MY CELLPHONE at 806 584-7569.
FOLKS: Please, I give you my cell phone number so you can call me between 9 am and 9 pm, 7 days a week! Feel free to CALL me OR EMAIL ME SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHERE AND WHEN we can either visit by phone or in person! Please do not abuse your privilege of having my cell number. Again, please call me or email me. ....please DO NOT TEXT MESSAGE ME! I want to communicate with you directly!
Course Information
Recording Policy
Disability Statement
Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:
Administrative Drop Policy
N/A
Student Withdrawal Procedures
N/A
Privacy Statement
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
Course
SOCI-2326-001 Social Psychology
Prerequisites
RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills
Course Description
Study of individual behavior within the social environment. May include topics such as the socio-psychological process, attitude formation and change, interpersonal relations and group processes.
Student Resources Student Resources Website
Department Expectations
\N
Occupational License Disclaimer
Hours
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Class Type
Online Course
Syllabus Information
Textbooks
Duff, K. (2012). THINK SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. Boston: Allyn Bacon (Pearson) Publishers. (PAPERBACK)
ISBN#13: 978-0-205-01354-8
Available in book store, AMAZON.COM or BARNESANDNOBLE.COM.
YOU DO NOT NEED ANY STUDY GUIDE, AS THIS INSTRUCTOR MAKES HER OWN STUDY GUIDES FOR EACH EXAM. AS WELL, THERE ARE PUBLISHER PRACTICE TESTS THAT YOU CAN TAKE ONLINE FOR EACH CHAPTER OF THE BOOK!
YOU WILL BE RENTING OR WATCHING SEVERAL FILMS FOR THIS COURSE. SOME OF THESE FILM CHOICES ARE ONLINE AND YOU CAN WATCH THEM IN THE ANGEL COURSEROOM, HOWEVER, OTHERS WILL NEED TO BE RENTED OR WATCHED AS STREAMING VIDEOS FROM NETFLIX. NOTE THAT THERE IS A COPY OF EVERY FILM IN THIS COURSE (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE YOU CAN WATCH ONLINE IN THE COURSEROOM) IN THE AC LIBRARY ON THE 2ND FLOOR. YOU CAN CHECK THESE OUT BUT YOU MUST WATCH THEM IN THE LIBRARY (YOU MAY NOT LEAVE THE LIBRARY WITH THE DVD). If you don't have access to Netflix or have a Hastings account, you can use the films in the library. You are required to watch a total of 6 films for this course.
NOTE: You may also be able to find this book used at Amazon.com, as well as at BARNES and NOBLE online at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/textbooks-college-textbooks/379002366/
Sometimes these sellers have the books for less than the AC bookstore charges, if you want to order it in advance of the class. YOU MUST HAVE THE TEXTBOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS!
As well, you can go to Textbooks Direct and find good prices on used texts, OR rent the book. Go to:
http://www.directtextbook.com/prices/9780205698301
Supplies
\ You must have access to a working computer, and/or be available to work on campus during our computer lab and library hours. It is your responsibility to have your computer working during the duration of this course, or to be on campus to use
Student Performance
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
USING FILMS, READINGS SPECIFIC TO CERTAIN TOPICS, IN CLASS AND ONLINE LABS, AS WELL AS CLASS DISCUSSIONS, LECTURE AND EXAMS, STUDENTS WHO TAKE THIS COURSE WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES BY THE END OF THIS CLASS:
- Learners will gain a working knowledge as to how individuals impact social situations and groups and how situations and groups impact individual thinking, feeling and behavior.
- Learners will gain an understanding of how scientific methodology is applied to studying social psychology.
- Learners will analyze the major concepts and theories in the field of social psychology.
- LEARNERS WILL critically and creatively analyze a series of films shown in this course related to the concepts and theories discussed in the text. Students will engage is discussions in class, as well as writing essays related to the text readings, lecture material, and film-related content.
- Once learners develop A GRASP OF these conceptual tools, research findings and theories, AND THE UNDERSTANDING THEY HAVE INCURRED THROUGH WATCHING FILMS AND engaging in CLASS DISCUSSIONS, they will be applying these ideas to real world social situations, such as dealing with prejudice and stereotyping, changing attitudes and behaviors through persuasive techniques (such as those used in politics and advertising), and in creating a sustainable future on our planet.
- By the end of the course, learners should be able to think critically about issues in social psychology and be able to use this knowledge in practical ways in their lives.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLog in using the AC Connect Portal
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Expected Student Behavior
\ STUDENT BEHAVIOR:
\\ Students are expected to engage in appropriate "netiquette" in this class AT ALL TIMES. Inappropriate online behaviors, such as swearing, discussion of inappropriate issues NOT related to the courseroom material, or any type of intolerance or rudeness to other learners will not be tolerated and may result in having to drop this course, failing the class, or dismissal from Amarillo College. Treat others as you like to be treated and everything should be fine!
\\ Now, having said that, please remember that this is an COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE, and we will be discussing controversial issues in an ADULT MANNER! You are expected to act like an adult in these discussions and realize that others may think and feel differently than you on a host of issues related to sociology! Diversity is a GREAT THING and to be APPRECIATED in this instructors opinion. If you find something offensive that is said by another student OR your instructor, please don't hesitate to contact me and discuss this with me. However, it's important to remember that this course is not designed to CONFIRM YOUR OWN POLITICAL or RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, but rather to get you to think about sociology, society, and people in a bigger way than you may have already been exposed to. IN THAT, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF UNCOMFORTABLE AT TIMES, AS YOU ARE BEING REQUIRED TO STRETCH OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! This is a part of what it means to get an education! Obviously, learning to see the world in a different light is the goal of this course!
\\ If you have a complaint about this course, please contact me first. If you are uncomfortable doing that, you may contact my supervisor, Mr. Jerry Moller at DURR 212A, 371-5297
\\
If you have a concern that something you want to say or write that you think might offend others in the classroom or in the online course-room, run it by me first. Simply contact me via the AC ONLINE class email. As well, if you are aware of any student being mistreated or harassed in this course (including yourself), please bring it to my immediate attention. We have zero tolerance for any student being mistreated here at Amarillo College. This will be a SAFE place for the ex
Grading Criteria
YOU CAN SEE YOUR GRADES FOR THIS COURSE AT ALL TIMES BY GOING TO THE COURSE HOMEPAGE, AND NEXT TO THE SYLLABUS LINK, BELOW THE ANNOUNCEMENTS, YOU WILL SEE A SECTION THAT SAYS "ABOUT THIS COURSE: CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUR GRADES". iF YOU THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR GRADE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IMMEDIATELY, SO WE CAN GET IT CORRECTED RIGHT AWAY! THANKS!
Your final grade for this course will be based on the standard grading percentages:
- 89.45 - 100 = A
- 79.45 - 89.44 = B
- 69.45 - 79.44 = C
- 49.45 - 69.44 = D
- Below 49.5 - F
Your final grade is based on the following items:
EXAMS:You will have 4 ONLINE exams that are worth 100 points each. AS LONG AS YOU TAKE ALL OF YOUR EXAMS, YOU GET TO DROP YOUR LOWEST SCORE. IF YOU DON'T TAKE ALL FOUR EXAMS, WHICH ARE OPEN FOR A FULL WEEK AT A TIME, YOU WILL NOT GET TO DROP YOUR LOWEST SCORE, AND THE 0 WILL BE COUNTED AS PART OF YOUR GRADE! You must take all four exams in order to drop the lowest! As long as you take all of your exams, your total number of exam points = 300 pts (each exam is worth 100 points, and counts as about 21% of your total grade).
DISCUSSIONS: Each unit has a discussion that you will be required to engage in. As well, there is a discussion at the beginning of the course that asks you to introduce yourself. These discussions are worth 10 points each for a total of 50 points towards your final grade. Each discussion is worth about 2% of your final grade, and your total discussion grade is 11% of your final grade.
FILM LABS AND FINAL PAPER: Finally, you will be watching a total of 6 films with their respective labs (out of 12 choices) for this class. The first film lab is over chapters 1 and 2, and the film is called "A CLASS DIVIDED", and you are required to do this lab. As well, you have a required lab for Chapter 8. There other 11 other chapters (some have 2 film choices) that are a part of this requirement for our class. These are "CHOICE LABS". You can decide which of these films you want to watch towards your total of 6 films. You will need to select 6 of these other "choice" films and do the labs with them for your final grade/paper. Your labs are worth 10 points each, for a total of 60 points. The film labs count as about 13% of your total grade. You will have drop boxes for each of your film labs and a drop box for your final paper in an online format. While you can work ahead on these films, you MUST have the films in the drop box by the day the unit exam closes. Be sure you follow instructions for this lab and look at the grading rubric to see how I will grade it.
Finally, you will write a 2 to 4 page essay over the MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I LEARNED IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. This paper is worth 60 points or 13% of your grade.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS FOR THIS CLASS ARE: 470 points.
Because the exams will be online and open for several days in the summer semester OR for a full week in the spring and fall semesters, there will NOT be any make up exams, EXCEPT IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. IF YOU HAVE SUCH EVENTS IN YOUR LIFE, PLEASE DISCUSS THIS WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR VIA PHONE OR DURING MY OFFICE HOURS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOU. YOU CAN SEND ME AN EMAIL IN THE AC ONLINE CLASSROOM FOR THIS COURSE, OR YOU CAN CALL ME AT (806) 584-7569 (MY CELL) OR (806) 355-2360. REMEMBER, once the UNIT is closed, and the DISCUSSION is closed, it's a 0 for you. YOU MUST TAKE ALL YOUR FOUR EXAMS (and, if you do, you get to drop the lowest exam score), and do ALL FIVE DISCUSSIONS to get the maximum grade, along with turning in your final paper/film lab.
YOUR FINAL PAPER, that includes a 2-3 page essay along with the compilation of all your labs for the films we watched will have a final due date. YOU MUST turn in your paper by that time. If you fail to, it will be a ZERO! NO EXCEPTIONS!
REMEMBER: If you cannot rent the films, you may go to the 2nd floor of the WASHINGTON STREET library and watch it at the library. It is your responsibility to either rent or go to the library add watch 6 of the films that you choose. The two required films are online, and there is a choice lab that can also be seen online (It's Jim Jones and the People's Temple), but the rest of the films must be rented or watch on campus in the library.
Attendance
\ "90% of Success is SHOWING UP": While it may be tempting to let your participation in an online class lag because there isn't any accountability as in campus based courses, know that the #1 factor linked with good grades IS class attendance at least TWICE A WEEK in the ONLINE CLASSROOM. You can work ahead in this class, and you can get extra points for turning in your paper early, BUT note that each unit has a closing time. You can wait until the end of the class to do all your film labs, but last semester, when I taught this as a campus based course, the students that did the BEST on the final project/paper were those that did their labs each week. The film labs will help you study the material for the exams, so you should be doing them ALL ALONG. Don't get behind, because the film lab/paper is worth almost 1/4th of your full grade! I expect excellent work on the labs and the essay! The people that will do the best in the class are those that are in the courseroom at least TWICE A WEEK, that do their study guides and practice quizzes, along with watching the films and doing the written labs over the material in that chapter! I hope you will be ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS! Good luck with that! I LOVE GIVING A's for EXCELLENT WORK!
Calendar
THERE IS A MORE DETAILED CALENDAR IN THE COURSEROOM, ALONG WITH THE ONLINE CALENDAR AND ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT GIVE YOU REMINDERS OF WHAT IS DUE. PLEASE NOTE: ALL UNITS ARE OPEN FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS CLASS SO THAT YOU CAN WORK AHEAD. HOWEVER, EACH UNIT HAS A CLOSING DATE AND TIME. YOUR DISCUSSIONS AND EXAM FOR THAT UNIT ARE DUE AT THAT TIME. THEY WILL NOT BE OPENED AGAIN, FOR ANY REASON, AFTER THE DUE DATE. PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO DO YOUR WORK! PROCRASTINATION IS A VERY BAD STRATEGY IN ONLINE CLASSES.
WEEKS 1 and 2: UNIT 1: Exam 1 will cover lectures, notes, chapter readings, discussion points, and film ideas for Unit 1, including Chapter 1: What is Social Psychology & Chapter 2: The Science of Social Psychology. There are 2 discussions due for this first unit: One to introduce yourself to the class, and the other to discuss the question in UNIT 1 discussion. You have a required film lab for this unit. The film, A CLASS DIVIDED, can be seen ONLINE in the ANGEL AC ONLINE CLASSROOM. The lab involves chapters 1 and 2.
WEEKS 3 and 4: Unit 2: Exam 2 will cover lectures, notes and chapter readings, discussion points, and film ideas for Unit 2 including Chapter 3: Social Cognition, Chapter 4: Who Am I and How Do Other Individuals See Me?, and Chapter 5: Social Perception. There is a discussion also for Unit 2 which will be due the last day of the Unit. There are 3 films available for this unit that you can choose to watch, including "What the Bleep Do We Know" for Ch 3, Precious for Ch 4 andThe Grand Torino for Ch 5.
WEEKS 5 & 6: Unit 3: Exam 3 will cover lectures, notes and chapter readings, discussion points, and film ideas for Unit 3,including Chapter 6: Attitudes, Chapter 7: The Art and Science of Persuasion, Chapter 8: Social Influence, and Chapter 9: The Power of the Group. There is a discussion for Unit 3 which is due the last day of the Unit. There are several film choices for this unit, including Jim Jones and the People's Temple, which you can watch in the AC ONLINE classroom. As well, you can watch American History X for Ch 7. REMEMBER that Chapter 8 is a REQUIRED lab. For Chapter 8, you can choose to rent THE EXPERIMENT with Adrian Brody and Forest Whittaker (or watch it in the Library), or you can watch THE GHOSTS OF ABU GHRAIB, a documentary that you will find ONLINE and can watch in the AC ONLINE classroom. For Chapter 9, you have two films you can choose from! You can rent (or watch in the library), Thirteen Days or Joy Noel. Both are based on real life events!
WEEKS 7 and 8: Unit 4: Exam 4 will cover lectures, notes, chapter readings, discussions and film ideas for Unit 4 including Chapter 10: Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination, Chapter 11: Aggression, Chapter 12: Examining Attraction and Close Relationships, and Chapter 13: Prosocial Behavior. There is a discussion for Unit 4 which is due the last day of the unit. For Chapter 10, you can choose to watch Remember the Titans on prejudice, for Chapter 11 you can watch BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE related to aggression, for chapter 12 over attraction, you can watch THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES, and finally, for Chapter 13, on altruism, you can watch Schindlers List.
Reminder: All exams are worth 100 points and you will drop your lowest exam score IF AND ONLY IF YOU HAVE TAKEN ALL FOUR EXAMS. MISSING AN EXAM WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT YOUR GRADE!
You will have study guides for all exams that are made by your instructor! USE THEM! They will allow you to be effective in answering these test questions! YOU ALSO HAVE PUBLISHER PRACTICE QUIZZES, FLASHCARDS AND OTHER STUDY AIDS. This instructor highly recommends that you use these as well!
There is NO comprehensive final exam in this course. There are only four exams, online discussions, 6 film labs and a short 2-4 page paper to write.
ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OF THESE FILMS CAN BE RENTED THROUGH NETFLIX AND MOST OF THEM HAVE THE "WATCH INSTANTLY" FEATURE. As well, ALL ARE AVAILABLE AT HASTINGS (BUT YOU MAY NEED TO CHECK THEIR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS TO FIND THEM). AS WELL, YOU MAY GO TO THE AC LIBRARY AND WATCH THE FILMS THERE. You cannot check them out of the library, but you can watch them there on their computers. You need your student id to check them out for library use only!
Additional Information
STUDENT PERFORMANCE in this course will be measured in the following ways:
- 4 exams over the textbook, lecture, films, and discussions. (worth 100 points each, dropping the lowest score = 300 pts)
- Labs and Final Paper (worth 100 points): Six film labs as well as a 2 - 4 page essay over "THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I LEARNED IN THIS CLASS".
- DISCUSSIONS for ONLINE COURSES are required.
- FOR ON CAMPUS COURSES: Class participation and attendance (attendance taken 6 times, with five of those times counting 10 pts each = 50 pts).
THE AMARILLO COLLEGE WRITER's CORNER IS A GREAT RESOURCE ALONG WITH OUR LIBRARY AND LIBRARIANS~
FIND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION GO TO THE LINKS BELOW:
-
AMARILLOCOLLEGE LIBRARY: http://www.actx.edu/library/
- For help with your computer, or to use computers go to the second floor of the library.
-
For information on how to do a research paper and search for references go to:
- http://www.actx.edu/library/index.php?module=article&id=8#Research
- FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PLAGIARISM AND HOW TO AVOID IT: GO TO:
· http://www.actx.edu/english/index.php?module=article&id=14
THE AMARILLO COLLEGE WRITER'S CORNER! 
For help with your papers: go to Writers' Corner
o Mission and Services:The Writers’ Corner staff firmly believe that good writing is an essential skill for being successful in college. Our main goal, therefore, is to help students become more confident and effective writers.Whether drafting research papers, preparing marketing proposals, or working on writing projects for any class at Amarillo College, students will benefit from one-on-one tutoring sessions with knowledgeable and encouraging tutors. Our tutors review assignment requirements, provide constructive feedback, and guide students through all phases of the writing process.The Writers’ Corner is open to all students, regardless of academic discipline and skill level.
· We Offer:*One-on-one tutoring sessions with trained tutors, small workshops throughout the semester covering various aspects of academic writing, in-class presenations on the role of the Writers' Corner, a waiting area for walk-ins and early arrivals, coffee and donuts for students with appointments, EMAIL US AT: writerscorner@actx.edu
· OR stop by: LOCATION: Ordway Hall, Room 102
· Hours of Operation:
o Fall & Spring Semesters:Monday - Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and ClosedFriday, Saturday, and Sunday
o Summer Sessions: Monday - Thursday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM