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PSYC 2120 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

PSYC 2120 - Social Psychology

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

Social Psychology focuses on the scientific study of individual behavior in group contexts, group behavior, and associated phenomena. Social Psychology includes instruction in social learning theory, group theory and dynamics, sex roles, social cognition and inference, attribution theory, attitude formation, criminal behavior and other social pathologies, altruistic behavior, social development, and social ecology

Course Outcomes:

The major objective of this course is to give students a broad introduction to the field of social psychology. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • Identify and explain the scientific method.
  • Identify and describe the main research areas in Social Psychology (e.g., social cognition, attitudes and attitude change, violence and aggression, prosocial behavior, prejudice and discrimination, self and social identity, group behavior, and social influence).
  • Define the study of Social Psychology using the several theoretical perspectives (i.e., role theory, reinforcement theory, cognitive theory, symbolic interactionist theory, and evolutionary theory).
  • Recognize and recall significant psychological terminology found in Social Psychology.
  • Apply course content to everyday life situations.
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

  Reading and writing proficiency appropriate for college-level coursework.

Course Topics:
  • The Mission and the Method
  • Culture and Nature
  • The Self
  • Choices and Actions: The Self in Control
  • Social Cognition
  • Emotion and Affect
  • Attitudes, Beliefs, and Consistency
  • Social Influence and Persuasion
  • Prosocial Behavior: Doing What's Best for Others
  • Aggression and Antisocial Behavior
  • Attraction and Exclusion
  • Close Relations: Passion, Intimacy, and Sexuality
  • Prejudice and Intergoup Relations
  • Groups
Specific Course Requirements:

The student must be competent navigating the Web, use e-mail, knowledgeable with uploading and downloading materials (using Word.com or the RTF word programs) to and from the net

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:
Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

All exams will be delivered and returned via the net. All students must have uninterrupted access to the internet and our course's web pages.

Chapter Exams (required): There are five (5) required objective, open-book exams that cover the material found in the text’s 14 chapters. Each exam is worth 120 points for a total cumulative score of 600 points. 

You are required to complete and submit your exams during the specific dates and times set aside for these exams (i.e., during the availability/access period). There will be a closing date/time for each exam (i.e., the day and specific time after which you can NO longer access the exam). If you miss an exam without getting PRIOR approval from your instructor, you will receive a ZERO (0) for the exam, (NO exceptions).

You have the option (i.e., not mandatory) to take each exam twice during the availability/access period. If you do take an exam twice, the higher score of the two attempts will count toward your course’s total points (for example, if you take attempt 1 and earn an 80 percent and then take attempt 2 and earn a 90 percent, the exam’s final score will be a 90 percent).

All exams are timed. You are responsible for watching your time. If you exceed the time limit, your exam will freeze and you will receive a zero (0). If you go over the time limit, it’s your responsibility and the zero is for keeps. No proctors are required for this course.

Please note that correct answers will not be provided in order to protect the integrity of the exam data pool.

Comprehensive Final Exam (bonus): There is a comprehensive final exam (100 items) based on the material covered in ALL14 chapters and is worth 100 points. The points earned on the bonus exam will be added to the final course’s earned points. Note the bonus exam is optional (i.e., not mandatory).

Grading Procedures:
Grading Scale:
Point RangeAssigned Grade
1000 - 900 PointsA
899 - 800 PointsB
799 - 700 PointsC
699 - 650 PointsD
under 650 PointsF

 

Assignments and Projects:
DescriptionPoints
5 assignments @ 50 points each250 points
3 discussions @ 50 points each150 points
5 quizzes @ 120 each600 points
1 Final comprehensive quiz/exam (bonus) @ 100 points100 (if taken a maximum of 100 bonus points added at end of semester)
Total Points1000 Total Course Points

 

Class Participation:

Students need to read/understand the section titled Other Course Rules in this Syllabus, which explains the participation requirements for this course.

Late Policy:

What Does “Late” Mean?: For this course, “Late” is defined as any time after the due date/time—1 second, 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week. Late is late and quizzes/assignments due by a specific day/time will be considered LATE if not turned in (submitted) by the time/day specified in this Syllabus. You are responsible for keeping track of time during quizzes/assignments. If you go over the time deadline, you’ll earn a zero (0). NO EXCEPTIONS!

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on May 15, 2017