PSY 235 – Social Psychology Course Syllabus – Fall 2011   Instructor Prof. Carlos David Navarrete Office Hrs: T Th, 10:00-11:00 AM 247 Psychology Bldg. Ph: 517-432-8391 cdn@msu.edu   Teaching Assistants Sallay Barrie, Office Hr. Th, 1:00-2:00 PM, or by appt. 231 Psychology Bldg. barries2@msu.edu   Abigail Ostwald Office Hr: Fri, 3:00-4:00 PM 349 Giltner Hall ajostwald@gmail.com   Zac Chacko Office Hr: T, 10:30-12:00 PM, or by appt. 349 Giltner Hall chackoza@msu.edu   Meeting Days/Time/Location T TH,  8:30 - 9:50 AM 146 Giltner Hall   Course Description Social psychology is the scientific study of the nature and causes of human social behavior and cognition. This course provides an introduction to the principles and concepts of the discipline, and emphasizes how traits of individuals interact with the environment to produce the rich complexity of human social life. Perhaps more than most courses, social psychology is concerned with “real life” content. As such we will discuss topics such as friendship and romance, sexuality, aggression and violence, stereotyping and discrimination, cooperation and conflict, altruism and morality. Principles of economics and biology are provided as a theoretical backdrop in order to better frame the role of social psychology in the broader enterprise of understanding why we are the way we are.   Course Email Please send your questions regarding this class to psy235@cdnresearch.net  You should receive a reply within 48 hrs.   Course Readings Textbook: Kenrick, D.T., Neuberg, S.L., & Cialdini, R.B. (2008). Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction. (5th Ed.). Pearson. (Previous Eds. ok).   Assigned readings: There are assigned readings that will be posted online for download. There is no cost for accessing these readings.   Course Web The website for the course is available via Angel.   Grading and Exams Exams will be composed of three exams each composed of 50 multiple-choice, and two short-answer items. Grading is based on a total of 255 points across three exams, each worth 85 points.   Make-up exams are not typically allowed, but contact me if you have a special circumstance.   The grading scale typically goes as follows:   % of total pts / Grade   85% / 4.0 80% / 3.5 70% / 3.0 65% / 2.5 50% / 2.0   Extra Credit Students may receive a extra credit for participation in experiments through MSU’s Human Participation in Research (HPR) system. Directions for participation are posted on Angel. Students may volunteer in research studies for up to 10 extra credit points (5 hrs. participation time = 10 HPR credits).   Alternatives to research participation for extra credit may be earned though other means, such as writing a research paper, but you must contact me about an alternative at least two weeks before the end of the semester.   Academic Integrity Every student is held responsible for knowing the academic integrity policy at MSU. Information regarding this policy is available at: https://www.msu.edu/unit/ombud/dishonestystud.html   Course Announcements/Updates Announcements and changes to the syllabus/schedule will be made via email. Make sure MSU Angel has your up-to-date contact information.     Tentative Schedule   Week 1 Chap. 1 Introduction to Social Psychology Week 2 Chap. 2-3 The Person and the Situation; Social Cognition Week 3 Chap. 4-5 Self Presentation; Attitudes and Persuasion Week 4 Chap. 6, 12 Social Influence; Groups Week 5 Chap. 13 + Assigned Social Dilemmas and the “Free-Rider” Problem   Exam 1           Tues. 4-Oct.     Week 6 Chap. 9 + Assigned Prosocial Behavior I: Kin Selection and the Problem of Altruism Week 7 Chap. 7 + Assigned Prosocial Behavior II: Reciprocity, Friendship and Affiliation Week 8 Chap. 8 + Assigned Love and Sex I: Sex, Love and Parenting Week 9 Chap. 8 + Assigned Love and Sex II: Sex and Sexiness Week 10 Chap. 10 Aggression   Exam 2          Tues. 8-Nov.     Week 11 Chap. 11 + Assigned Prejudice & Discrimination: Social Identity Theory Week 12 Assigned Prejudice and Discrimination: Social Dominance Theory Week 13 Assigned The Behavioral Immune System Week 14 Assigned Morality Week 15 Assigned Do we have Free Will?   Final Exam Wed. Dec-14 7:45-9:45 AM