Social Psychology Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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

PSYC-2319-002 Social Psychology

Prerequisites

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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Article links are provided in the class

Supplies

• Pen or pencil, your book and something to take notes on.
• YOU MUST HAVE ACCESS TO A WORKING COMPUTER OR BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE AC COMPUTERS DURING THE TIMES THEY ARE OPEN.  If you don't have your own computer, use AC computers. We have computers for your use in the on campus COMPUTER LABS as well as the 4th floor of the Ware Student Commons. 
• If you need help to set up your AC CONNECT account, go to the second floor of the library and they will assist you in getting set up! If you need help you may also contact our Helpdesk at 371-5000 or email them at askac@actx.edu
• All notes, assignments, and exams will be given online

Student Performance

COURSE OBJECTIVES and OUTCOMES

1. . 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.
   2. Learners will gain an understanding of how scientific methodology is applied to studying social psychology.
   3. Learners will analyze the major concepts and theories in the field of social psychology.
   4. Learners will critically and creatively analyze concepts and theories discussed in the text. Students will engage is discussions in class, as well as writing essays related to the text readings and lecture material.
   5. By the end of this course, learners will be able to apply the ideas in this class 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, as a few examples.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log 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

• I expect you all to attend class online, participate in assignments and exams, be prepared for class exams, and respect everyone else who is the class. You are responsible for contacting me about missed assignments. After the fact is never a good way to handle situations and I do not take make-up work. Each student is expected to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism. This means that although the exams are online you should be doing your own work. I whole heartedly expect you to use your notes and books on all assignments and exams, you may not use your friend or classmates. All assignments should also be completed by you. The purpose of college is to learn and if someone else does your work for you then you have learned nothing. All students are expected to be tolerant and respectful of other students’ responses within class. There will be zero tolerance for any type of harassment!! I want this to be an environment everyone can learn and feels safe!!

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria:

• There will be a total of 800 possible points for the semester. I do not plan on changing the amount of points possible, but please check your points often and check online often in case there is a change. If the amount of points possible changes the amount of points needed to earn a certain grade will also change. You will be able to check your grade on AC Online. To calculate your grade you will divide the number of points you have earned (usually the smaller number) by the number of possible points that you could have earned in the class (the larger number). Grading will be on the standard grade scale:

• 100-90% = 800-720 points A

  89-80% = 719-640 points B

  79-70% = 639-560 points C

  69-60% = 559-480 points D

  Below 50% = below 480 points F

• The points will be earned:

  300 points for exams

  100 points common assessment

  300 points for assignments some online 

  100 final experiment presentation

  Total points possible: 800 points

• 3 50 question multiple choice exams online; each exam is worth 100 points.
• The assignments: 300 points 
  • You will be required to watch some short clips and respond to question prompts or asked questions you need to critically think about and answer
  • Each assignment needs to be answered completely with complete thoughts and sentences.
  • We will be doing in class assignments for different chapters
•  100 final project presentations
• 100 common assessment
• You will be required to do research and write an essay reflecting on stereotypes and how they influence behavior

Attendance

• It is extremely important that you check the class every day online. This is an 8-week online course so we move through topics/chapters every day.  If you miss any due date you will possibly miss an entire chapter of material and that could be very damaging to your grade. Please check online for updates and assignment due dates. If you miss an announcement or due date it will hurt your grade. I understand things do come up so please contact me as soon as possible so that we can work something out. Contacting me after the fact leaves little room for me to help you and I do not take late work or make-up work.

Calendar

Additional Information

Office hours:                     

• I hold office hours in Dutton 202L 8:00 am-8:50 am. If this time does not work for you, then we can set-up an appointment that will work for both of us.
•  The best way to reach me is by email: eerodriguez@actx.edu
• If you email me from within the class, in order for me to respond I have to log into blackboard, wait on the  duo access code and then I can respond to your email.  If you want a quicker response, then email eerodriguez@act.edu and tell me what class you are in. I can respond much more quickly to these emails.

I do not allow for late work or make up exams. Please contact me as soon as an issues arises so we can work something out ahead of time rather after the fact.