Psychology 103, Spring 2006
Social Psychology
Professor Halford H. Fairchild
Office:  203 Scott Hall, Pitzer College
Hours:  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00 - 1:00 and by appointment
Phone:  909-607-3056

Course Syllabus

Course Description and Requirements:
This course surveys the specialty of Social Psychology.  The course is writing and speaking intensive.  Tuesdays are devoted to an exploration of the main text by Franzoi (students should expect quizzes in the first five minutes of each class); Thursdays are devoted to discussions of the readings in the text by Lesko.  Short "S/R" papers are required each Thursday.  See "S/R papers," described below.

Texts:

Franzoi, Stephen L.  (2006).  Social Psychology (4th Edition).  NY: McGraw-Hill.  (Main Text for Tuesdays)
Lesko, Wayne A.  Social Psychology:  General, classic, and contemporary selections (6th Edition).  Boston:  Allyn & Bacon.

Additional Readings will be added during the semester and provided by the instructor.

Schedule of Readings:
Date
 Topic
 Readings
1-17-06
 Introductions and - Definitions:  What is Social Psychology?
1-19-06
 Readings in the Field of Social Psychology
S/R paper by Fairchild
 Lesko, Chap. 1



1-24-06
 More on the Nature of Social Psychology.   Powerpoint Lecture   Quiz
 Franzoi, Chap. 1
1-26-06
 Readings in Business Psychology.  S/R paper by Fairchild
 Lesko, Chap. 13



1-31-06
 Research Methods in Social Psycholoogy    Quiz     Powerpoint Notes
 Franzoi, Chap. 2
2-2-06
 Readings in Social Cognition  S/R paper by Fairchild
 Lesko, Chap. 3



2-7-06
 The Self    Quiz     Chapter Powerpoint
 Franzoi, Chap. 3
2-9-06
 Readings in the Social Identity.  Fairchild's S/R Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 5



2-14-06
 Self-Presentation and Person Perception     Quiz      Statistics  Primer
Franzoi, Chap. 4
2-16-06
 Readings in the Social Perception.  Fairchild's S/R Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 2



2-21-06
 Thinking About Our Social World     Quiz    Chapter Highlights
 Franzoi, Chap. 5
2-23-06
 Readings in Health Psychology.  Fairchild's S/R Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 15



2-28-06
 Attitudes    Quiz    Chapter Highlights
 Franzoi, Chap. 6
3-2-06
 Readings in the Social Psychology of Attitudes   Fairchild's SR Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 4



3-7-06
 Persuasion   Quiz Study Guide   Quiz   Chapter Highlights
 Franzoi, Chap. 7
3-9-06
 Readings in Forensic Psychology   Fairchild's SR Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 14



3-14-06
 Spring Break
3-16-06
 Spring Break



3-21-06
 Prejudice and Discrimination  Quiz Study Guide    Quiz
 Franzoi, Chap. 8
3-23-06
 Readings in Prejudice and Discrimination  Fairchild's SR Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 6



3-28-06
 Social Influence     Quiz       Chapter Notes
 Franzoi,  Chap. 9
3-30-06
 Readings in Social Influence  Fairchild's SR Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 9



4-4-06
 Group Behavior   Quiz   
Franzoi, Chap. 10
4-6-06
 Readings in Group Behavior.  Fairchild's SR Paper
 Lesko, Chap. 12



4-11-06
 Interpersonal Attraction - Quiz Study Guide     Quiz
 Franzoi, Chap. 11
4-13-06
 Readings in Interpersonal Attraction
IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Class is diverted today in observance of Passover.
No class -- research the Jewish holiday of passover--and include a few sentences (and S/R), next week on 4-20-06.
 Lesko, Chap. 7



4-18-06
 Intimate Relationships     (Quiz).
 Franzoi, Chap. 12
4-20-06
 Readings in Close Relationships
 Lesko, Chap. 8



4-25-06
 Aggression.    Quiz Study Guide     QUIZ   Powerpoint Notes
 Franzoi, Chap. 13
4-27-06
 Readings in the Social Psychology of Aggression
 Lesko, Chap. 11



5-2-06
 Prosocial Behavior: Helping Others   Quiz Study Guide
 Franzoi, Chap. 14
Lesko, Chap. 10
5-4-06
 Course Rap Up (see description, below)


Assignments

Quizzes.  Students should be prepared to take a short quiz every Tuesday at the beginning of class.  These will be multiple choice questions that examine the readings for that day.  Questions may also include material from the previous week's lectures, films, and/or discussions.

S/R Papers.  Students are required to write short "S/R" papers for each Thursday class session. "S/R" stands for "Stimulus/Response."  The "Stimulus,"  is the day's reading assignment.  The "Response" is the student's reaction to that reading.  For each class session that has a reading assignment, students should write an "S/R" for each of the readings.  The "Stimulus" portion of the paper should be a very short summary or synopsis of what the reading assignment was about.  The "Response" portion may be short or long -- and should provide your insights, reflections, thoughts, reactions, and/or questions to the reading material.  These "Responses" will be shared in class as part of our class discussion.  Students should come to class, each Thursday, with their "S/R Papers" typed and ready to hand in.  These papers are generally graded on a pass/fail basis -- 100 points for being turned in on time (weak papers may receive fewer points; strong papers may receive bonus points); 50% credit for being late (turned in after class or if a student is absent).  Papers submitted by email are awarded 50% credit.

Final Rap.  On the last day of class, students will present (singly or in teams), a "rap" that defines the field of Social Psychology.  The rap should seek to integrate course materials (texts, readings, video lectures, class discussions, etc.).  The course "rap" will be ungraded.

Grading
Students will be evaluated and graded based on their quiz scores, S/R papers, and classroom participation.  Attendance and participation are heavily weighted.  Each S/R paper can earn up to 100 points (late papers receive 50% credit).  Quizzes are worth up to 100 points.  Class participation is worth up to 500 points.   "A" students receive 92% or more of the available points; "B" students 82% or more; etc.  Students on the margins receive minuses or plusses. 

Assignments, grading and course sequencing may change.