PSY 202: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor: Connie Wolfe, Ph.D. Office: 215 Moyer
Email: wolfe@muhlenberg.edu
Office Hours: see webpage
Phone: 484-664-3686  (e-mail preferred)

Note: You are required to visit the class web page. Check weekly/daily for revisions, updates, announcements, assignments, etc
http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/cwolfe/PSY202/PSY202.htm

Why Study Social Psychology?

People's social behavior and social experiences are determined by many causes. Social psychology is devoted to understanding what these multiple sources of influence are and how they work. My aims for this course are:
-to introduce you to the perspectives, topics, and methods of social psychology;
-to help you develop an appreciation for social psychology's central theme: the power of the situation;
-to foster your critical thinking skills in general;
-and, to help you learn to cultivate skill at analyzing complex social events.

For our class to be an interesting and worthwhile experience, its important that you:

• Attend class and do all of the assignments and readings for the days they are due.
• Think critically about the readings and concepts: What are their implications? What questions do they raise? Do the readings agree with your observations or personal experience (if not, why)?
• Be aware that class lectures and activities are meant to supplement the text and additional readings. As such, class topics may often overlap with reading material, but may also cover entirely unique material. EVERYTHING, even assigned readings not covered in class, is fair game for the course exams. You are also responsible for material covered in classes you miss.
• Actively participate during class. I would like for there to be a substantial component of the course that involves active discussions. Feel free to interrupt me, challenge me, bring interesting examples in, and otherwise make your voice heard. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as possible and to have (intellectual) fun!

Required Readings

• Social Psychology, Gilovich, Keltner, Nisbett
• Supplemental Readings will be posted (as PDF files) on Blackboard and/or otherwise distributed.

Optional

• Study Guide: Available in the bookstore. If they are out of copies, request that they order it for you.

Your Grade

OVERVIEW

You should be aware that this is a challenging course with challenging readings and numerous assignments. Keep up with readings and assignments. Your grade will be determined by your performance on each of the following:

• Two Exams (40%)
• Three Response Papers (40%)
• Stereotyping & Prejudice Paper (20%)
• Extra Credit - See below

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

Exams (40% total)
In order to test the breadth of information you are learning, there will be 2 exams in the course. Each exam will have 40 multiple choice questions sampling from the topics addressed in-class, from the textbook, and from supplementary readings and activities. You should note that I like to ask questions that require you to apply theories and terms. While I sometimes do ask simpler "definitional" questions, I think learning the definitions of concepts is only the first step in really understanding the material. *See me ASAP if you have a documented accommodation for extended test time.

Response Papers (40% total)
In order to assess the depth with which you are able to think about the issues we are learning, you will be completing three "Response Paper" assignments throughout the course. Each assignment will consist of a series of specific questions for you to answer. More details about these papers will be posted on the class website as the semester continues. The purpose of these papers is to both test your understanding of the material throughout the semester, but also to give you an opportunity to receive feedback on your writing prior to turning in the final paper. As such, these assignments will be evaluated on the thoroughness, accuracy and depth of thought.

Extra Credit
From any source, you may obtain a maximum of 3 percentage points of extra credit. I will inform you of extra credit opportunities available to you as they arise (e.g., relevant talks on campus, etc.). Throughout the semester, however, you may also obtain extra credit by participating in the same studies the Introductory Psychology students participate in for L.O.C. credit. You will receive one-quarter of a percentage point added to your final grade in this course for each 20 minutes worth of research credit you participate in. To obtain this extra credit, you must turn in the same L.O.C. documentation required for the Introductory Psychology students (including the answers to the questions for each study). For information about the L.O.C. requirement and to download the proper forms, visit http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/loc.htm

Final Course Grades will be assigned as follows:
Excellent A+ (98-100%); A (93-97%); A- (90-92%)
Good B+ (88-89%); B (83-87%); B- (80-82%)
Acceptable C+ (78-79%); C (73-77%); C- (70-72%)
Poor D (60-69%)

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Email, Blackboard, and Class Website

You are responsible for maintaining a functioning email account - preferably the account the college provided to you. Check your email often.  If you wish to send me email, please note that I have spam-protection software which may automatically delete your message if you are using a domain other than muhlenberg.edu (e.g., optline.net or comcast.net). 

Blackboard is an on-line computer program that I will be using to distribute some of your course readings to you. You can access Blackboard at the following website: http://blackboard2.muhlenberg.edu/webapps/login/. Your username in Blackboard is your email user name (minus the @muhlenberg.edu). Your password the first time you log on to Blackboard is "changeme" and you should do just that under "personal information" once you are logged on. 

Note: You must also check the class website regularly for schedule revisions, assignments, etc. (http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/cwolfe/PSY202/PSY202.htm)

Sustainability Practices

I encourage you to print all assignments double-sided or print on the back of scrap paper. As long as your work is legible and I have space to write comments (i.e., double-space most work), I encourage you to use whatever practices you can to reduce the amount of paper used on campus. Please also remember to recycle discarded paper AND to consider placing usable, one-sided discards in a scrap pile next to public printers so that others may also re-use paper. The printers in Moyer Hall may be loaded with scrap paper already; this practice is encouraged.

Teaching Philosophy

I want you to learn about psychology, and grow to love learning. I'll do my best to facilitate that. Please remember, however, that how much you get out of this class (or any class), is largely up to you. With respect to grading and assignments, I try to treat students fairly and provide as much information as I can regarding grading criteria, expectations and deadlines. However, I am also very strict regarding these issues. I will do my best to assist you but you must alert me to potential problems early on and stick to any alternate plans we make. I’m happy to discuss ideas, or review outlines or drafts for any assignment. I’m also happy to help you prepare for tests or double check your understanding of the material. However, please remember I can be much more flexible if you discuss problems with me before an assignment is due - not after. Please keep me informed of ways I can help you get as much as you would like to out of this class. I’d like this class to be a positive experience for each of you! Last, please indulge my biggest pet peeve: buy a stapler & carry it with you. You may also use binder clips but no paper clips. I don't want to have to worry about losing a page of your assignment or having two assignments clipped together.

Late Assignment Policy

• Assignments are due at the beginning of our class meeting on the due date. After that point, the clock starts at 1 day late.
• You must turn your work in to me in person (I no longer accept assignments via e-mail unless you receive special approval).
• Except in the case of documented emergency situations:
  • Your grade will be lowered each day a response paper or the final paper is late.
  • I will not give credit for any assignment more than a week late.
  • Missing any quiz, exam, or in-class presentation appearance will result in a zero for that assignment.
• If you have a documented emergency and you contact me as soon as humanly possible about a missed test, you will be allowed to take a (different and more difficult) make-up during finals week. Also, contact me immediately about missed assignments and we will make arrangements.
• "A Virus Ate My Homework” ~ "My Internet is Broken" Computer problems do not relieve your responsibility for turning in work on time. I suggest that you aim to have each assignment completed one full day before it is due to allow for all the various last minute problems that may arise. Note: Pen drives fail (really, they do). Make back-ups of all your work. Also - please note that the compters in Moyer Hall are not regularly monitored by the OIT staff (as are other compter labs on campus). As such, there is no guarantee that any compter or printer will be working when you need it to! Leave plenty of time to make a run to Ettinger or the library to print PowerPoint slides or assignments. Now you know.

Academic Honesty

• I encourage you to talk to me about difficulties you are having with the exams or assignments. Avoid the temptation to cheat by keeping up with your coursework, by anticipating problems and by communicating with me about any problems you are having. I will be happy to help you learn how to properly cite sources, etc., and I remind you that extensions may be available if you ask (in a timely fashion). You are expected to know and follow the Academic Behavior Code of Muhlenberg College ( http://www.muhlenberg.edu/mgt/deanst/handbook/Iabc2.pdf). You are responsible for keeping drafts, references, disk and backup copies of all of your written assignments until final grades are completed. Any cheating will be reported to the Dean, and strictly dealt with via a failing grade on the exam, assignment, or a failing grade for the course depending on the severity of the infraction.
• All work in this class should be your own work. You should note that paraphrasing is not an appropriate way to use sources in a paper. Even some types of paraphrasing you may have been told were acceptable in other courses are not acceptable here. You are required to follow the guidelines about paraphrasing described at the following website: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/psychology/paraphrasing.htm Feel free to ask me if you are uncertain how to use your sources. If you engage in inappropriate paraphrasing, you will have to re-write the assignment and your grade on the assignment will be lowered by 2 letter grades.

Personal Reactions to Topics

Sometimes certain material covered in a psychology class can bring up personal feelings and reactions you may want to talk over with an objective and sympathetic listener. If this is the case, you may want to contact one of the counselors on campus by calling 484-664-3178.

Classroom Needs

If you have any specific needs (e.g. related to vision, hearing, learning, or medical conditions, etc.) or any religious or cultural practices that I can help accommodate, please let me know by the second week of class so I can make the appropriate arrangements. In particular, if you feel you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me the first week of class to privately discuss your specific needs. You should also contact The Office of Academic Support Services (x3433). Remember, you need to tell me what you need and give me reminders in enough time to arrange it. I’d like to make this class one in which everyone can learn and develop a passion for psychology!