SOP 3004: Introduction to Social Psychology
Section 1167
Summer 2008
Class meeting location: NEB 202
Class meeting times: Period 2 (9:30-10:45am) M-F
Course Instructor: Dr. John Chambers Teaching Assistant: Hong Li
Office location: 259 PSY Office location: PSY 130-O
Office hours: T, TR 10:45-12:00pm, Office hours: MW 10:45-11:45am, W 12:30-1:30pm
and by appointment Contact info: moonight@ufl.edu
Contact info: jrchamb@ufl.edu
Course Goals and Description: This course provides a comprehensive overview of the factors that affect individual and group behavior and thought. Social psychology is the scientific study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. Topics that will be discussed include; affiliation and interpersonal attraction, the self and self-perception, person perception, conformity, attitude formation and change, prejudice, aggression, group dynamics, and love and intimacy.
Pre-requisites: The prerequisites for this course are a satisfactory grade of “C” or higher in General Psychology (PSY 2012). A background in statistical methods (STA 2023 and STA 3024) and research methodology (PSY 3213L) is recommended but not required.
Readings and Required Text: The assigned readings for this course come from Myers, David G. (2008). Social Psychology, 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill, Inc, which is available for purchase at the Reitz Union bookstore and other bookstores around campus. Page 3 of this syllabus shows the dates we will cover particular topics, along with the assigned chapters for those topics. You should read the chapter for a particular topic before the date we are scheduled to cover it. Doing the readings before we cover it in lecture is critical; this will help ensure that you understand and retain the material in memory and gives you the best chance of doing well in this course. Note that this schedule is tentative and a particular topic may be covered earlier or later than the date listed depending upon how quickly we proceed through the course. Further announcements about the schedule (and any changes) will be made in class.
Lecture notes: Taking notes is critical to doing well in this course. A course pack containing all of the notes for this class is available for purchase from University Copy.
Grading: There will be three non-cumulative exams, each with 75 multiple-choice items. Each exam is worth a total of 75 points towards your final course grade. Make-up exams will be given only with documentation and for university-approved reasons.
Total Points Earned (out of 225) Final Course Grade
203 points or above A
196-202 points B+
180-195 points B
173-179 points C+
158-172 points C
135-157 points D
156 points or below E
Other class policies:
Attendance: While attendance is not mandatory, you are strongly advised not to miss class. Exams will cover some material discussed in class lecture but not addressed in your course textbook. It is your responsibility to get notes if you miss class. You must ask one of your classmates—neither I nor the teaching assistant will not provide them to you. If you miss class and wish to discuss what was covered in lecture that day, get the notes and look them over first.
Make up exams: If you miss a course exam, you must have a university-approved excuse (and the appropriate documentation) to take the make-up exam. You must inform me by email of your absence no later than 1 day after the scheduled date of the exam, or your absence will not be excused. If your absence is unexcused, you will receive 0 points for that exam. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
Classroom Accommodations: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.
Classroom Conduct: The classroom must be a place where everyone feels welcome, safe, and respected. Therefore, I ask that you refrain from using any demeaning, abusive or otherwise foul language (including swearing) when speaking with your classmates, the teaching assistant, or me.
Cheating: Anyone caught cheating on an exam will be given an "E" for the entire course and their name, along with an explanation of the offense, will be forwarded to all appropriate deans and disciplinary committees. Refer to the “Academic Honesty Guidelines” (http://regulations.ufl.edu/chapter4/4017.pdf) for more information about policies regarding cheating and dishonesty.
Cell Phones: Talking on the cell phone (and cell phone ringing) is disruptive. All cell phones must be silenced before class begins. Do not make or receive calls during class under any circumstances. If you must use your phone, leave the classroom.
Help: If you’re having trouble with the material, come see me or the teaching assistant right away. Don’t put it off until the days before an exam.
Extra Credit: There may be opportunities given to earn a small number of extra credit points. These opportunities will be given on an individual-by-individual basis at the instructor’s discretion. If you are interested in earning extra credit, contact the instructor. There are no make-ups given for the extra credit opportunities.
Tentative schedule:
Date Topic Assigned Chapter
Mon. May 12th Class Introduction and Administrative
Tues. May 13th Introduction to Social Psychology/Methods 1
Wed. May 14th Introduction to Social Psychology/Methods
Thu. May 15th The Self 2
Fri. May 16th The Self
Mon. May 19th The Self
Tues. May 20th Social Judgments and Perceptions 3
Wed. May 21st Social Judgments and Perceptions
Thu. May 22nd Social Judgments and Perceptions
Fri. May 23rd Attitudes and Behaviors 4
Mon. May 26th No Class (Memorial Day)
Tues. May 27th Attitudes and Behaviors
Wed. May 28th EXAM #1
Thurs. May 29th Obedience and Conformity 5
Fri. May 30th Obedience and Conformity
Mon. June 2 Obedience and Conformity
Tues. June 3 Thinking and Behaving in Groups 8
Wed. June 4th Thinking and Behaving in Groups
Thurs. June 5th Thinking and Behaving in Groups
Fri. June 6th Prejudice, Stereotyping and Discrimination 9
Mon. June 9th Prejudice, Stereotyping and Discrimination
Tues. June 10th EXAM # 2
Wed. June 11th Aggression and Violence 10
Thurs. June 12th Aggression and Violence
Fri. June 13th Aggression and Violence
Mon. June 16th Attraction, Love, and Intimacy 11
Tues. June 17th Attraction, Love, and Intimacy
Wed. June 18th Helping, Altruism and Empathy 12
Thurs. June 19th Helping, Altruism and Empathy
Fri. June 20th FINAL EXAM
NOTE: The dates listed are tentative and are subject to change.