PSYCHOLOGY 103:  SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Pitzer College
Professor Halford H. Fairchild

Texts:    A.  The Social Animal (Ninth Edition) by Elliot Aronson
            B.  Readings About the Social Animal (Ninth Edition) by Elliot Aronson

Course Syllabus, Spring 2004

1-20-04    Introductions and Course Overview
1-22-04    What is Psychology?  What is Social Psychology?

1-27-04    History and Systems.  A:  Chapter 1
1-29-04    Methodology and Statistics:  B:  Chapters 1 and 2

2-3-04        Social Influence:  Conformity.  A:  Chapter 2
2-5-04        B:  Chapters 3 and 4

2-10-04    Mass Media.  A:  Chapter 3 (pp. 47-66)
Writing Assignment:  View a segment of "Lighting Victory," which portrays the U.S. war against Iraq in 1991.  Think about social influence in the mass media regarding the current U.S. was against Iraq.  Write an analytical essay that profits from our readings in Mass Media and Social Influence.  It should present YOUR point of view regarding the media (& social influence & the manipulatin of public opinion) and the wars against Iraq.  You should model your paper on op-ed pieces distributed in class (or others that you've seen), and limit your reponse to 750 words (plus or minus 25).  Write as if you are writing for a large audience, such as the readers of the LA Times.  Double space, 1 inch margins, single sided.  The paper is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, 2-17-04.  Students should be prepared to read their essays in class.

2-12-04    B:  Chapters 5, 6 and 7

2-17-04    Media Effects.  A:  Chapter 3 (pp. 66-92)
2-19-04    B:  Chapters 8, 9 and 10

2-24-04    Social Cognition.  A:  Chapter 4 (pp. 93-119)
2-26-04    B:  Chapters 11 and 12

3-2-04        Social Cognition.  A:  Chapter 4 (pp. 119-142)
NOTE:  DUE TO A DEATH IN PROFESSOR FAIRCHILD'S FAMILY (HIS MOTHER), THERE WILL BE NO CLASS THIS WEEK.  Instead, students should write an op-ed style piece (see examples handed out in class) that incorporates elements from the readings (especially for this week, but up to this point in the semester), on any current event of their choosing.  Papers should aim for 750 words.  Students should submit, in order, notes, outlines, drafts and the final paper. Include the word count of the final draft.  The paper is due March 9, 2004.
3-4-04        B:  Chapters 13, 14 and 15

3-9-04        Self Justification.  A:  Chapter 5 (all)
3-11-04    B:  Chapters 16, 17 and 18

3-16-04    SPRING BREAK
3-18-04    SPRING BREAK  B:  Chapters 19-21

3-23-04    Human Aggression.  A:  Chapter 6
3-25-04    B:  Chapters 22 and 23

3-30-04    Human Aggression – The Psychology of War
4-01-04    B:  Chapters 24, 25 and 26

4-06-04    Prejudice.  A:  Chapter 7
4-08-04    B:  Chapters 27-29


4-13-04    The Stanford Prison Experiment
Student should take thorough notes of the film, and write a very brief synopsis and a not-so-brief "reaction statement" (what does it mean to you?)
4-15-04    The Power of the Situation; Constructing Social Reality
Student should take thorough notes of the two films, and write a very brief synopsis and a not-so-brief "reaction statement" (what does it mean to you?)

4-20-04    Close Relationships:  Chapter 8 (all)
4-22-04    Chapters 30-34

4-27-04    Social Psychology as a Science.  Chapter 9 (all)
4-29-04    Chapters 35 and 36

5-04-04    Student Presentations (2 minute rhymes on Social Psych)
5-06-04    Student Presentations (2 minute rhymes on Social Psych)

Grading:  To be subjectively determined by the instructor.  Quizzes make a big difference, as do:  (1) attendance; (2) writing assignments; and (3) participation.