Course Description
This course will focus on analyzing a number of important social psychological issues, such as: the reality of repressed memories, the effectiveness of subliminal persuasion, whether media violence causes agression, the power of the situation, personal characteristics, and previous experience. This social psychological perspective is in turn used to critically investigate the concept of deviance, or the violation of social norms. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to identify social psychology phenomena in everyday living and settings. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Critically analyze competing perspectives on important social psychological issues and debates.
- Explain the importance of incorporating a social psychological perspective in both personal and professional endeavors.
- Apply social psychological concepts to cultural texts and social situations.
- Analyze the nature of deviance through the breaching of social norms.
- Communicate more effectively in collaborative online environments
General Education Outcomes (GEOs)
Please check the applicable GEOs for this course, if any, by outcomes at GEO Category Search, or by subject area at GEO Discipline Search.
Course Activities and Grading
Assignments | Weight |
9 Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 50% |
7 Team Project Participation (Weeks 2-8) | 35% |
Team Project Final Report | 15% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Goodfriend. Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Social Psychology. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2018. ISBN-13: 9781259870798
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1-5 | Topic: Introduction
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2 | 1-5 | Topic: Media Violence and Children
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3 | 1-5 | Topic: High Self-Esteem
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4 | 1-5 | Topic: Fear of Bullying
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5 | 1-5 | Topic: Race Prejudice and Group Position
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6 | 1-5 | Topic: Racism and American Society
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7 | 1-5 | Topic: Intergroup Contact and Reducing Racism
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8 | 1-5 | Topic: Breaching Experiment Final Reports
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.