Faculty of Arts, Business and Law School of Social Sciences Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2017 Course Coordinator: Dr Kay Pozzebon Room: T2.10 Phone: (07) 5459 4604 Email: kpozzebo@usc.edu.au Course outline Code: PSY204 Title: Social Psychology 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description Social Psychology examines the connections between individual psychology and the social environment and introduces you to key concepts in the application of social psychological theory. understandings, concepts, and theories explored in Introduction to Psychology, you will examine perceptions of self as a social being, perception of others (attitudes, forming impressions, and close relationships), group processes and influences, and social motives. 1.2 Course content Overview of social psychology Methodological issues and ethics in social psychology Self and identity Culture Social cognition and thinking Attitudes Persuasion and attitude change Attribution Social knowledge Prejudice and discrimination Social inference Language and communication Groups Leadership Decision making Intergroup behaviour Attraction and close relationships Aggression Prosocial behaviour
Page 2 2. Unit value 12 units 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Assessment Tasks You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: Understand and explain concepts, theories, and research relating to the study of social psychology. Demonstrate the application of social psychology to individuals, groups, and issues. Comprehend and evaluate the scientific method and methodological issues. Communicate knowledge appropriately for the psychology discipline. 1, 2 and 3 Knowledgeable. 1 and 3 Empowered. 2 and 3 Knowledgeable. 1 and 2 Empowered. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Nil 4.2 Pre-requisites PSY100 and PSY101 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills N/A 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
Page 3 5.2 Assessment tasks Task Assessment No. Tasks 1 Social issue analysis Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Individual 20% 500 words Friday, Week 5, 5pm AEST 2 Critical essay Individual 40% 2000 words Friday, Week 9, 5pm AEST 3 Examination Individual 40% 2 hours Central examination period 100% Where should I submit it? Electronically through SafeAssign Electronically through SafeAssign In exam venue Assessment Task 1: Social issue analysis Goal: Product: Format: The goal is to develop your application skills by exploring a social issue from a social psychology perspective. A short answer response for the social issue chosen. You will be required to choose an issue in today s society and outline how social psychology can be applied in order to gain understanding and clarification of the issue. A total of three (3) different social psychology terms from chapter 2, 4, 15, or 16 of the Vaughan and Hogg (2014) text must be applied each term is from a different set chapter. For the social issue analysis, a social psychology term from only the set chapters must be applied. For example, you could choose to apply a social psychology term from chapter 2, a social psychology term from chapter 4, and a social psychology term from 15; or from chapters 4, 15, and 16, or any other combination from the four set chapters. A social psychology term means a concept or theory and it is strongly recommended you chose a term that was covered in class. For each social psychology term, you will need to clearly state the term and outline how or why the term is valid (i.e., how is it related to the social issue, the relevance of the term to the social issue, etc.). The application of the social psychology term must be adequately justified. Do not provide a definition of the social psychology term; instead apply each term to the social issue. The social issue chosen must be briefly outlined in the first few sentences of the response. You must provide key details of the social issue so it is clear what the chosen social issue is. As this assessment requires you to apply social psychology to a social issue, no referencing is required (i.e., do not use in-text citations and do not provide a reference list). The social issue analysis should have a title in the correct APA style (no headings are to be used within the analysis). A title page is required.
Page 4 A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment will be provided on Blackboard in Week 1. Criteria This task will be assessed according to levels of achievement in the following criteria: Requirement: Ability to write to set word limit. Social psychology terms from chapters 2, 4, 15, or 16 of Vaughan and Hogg (2014). Content: Demonstrated understanding of social psychology terms. Appropriate application and justification of the social psychology terms. Clarity and Expression: Clear quality of expression. Use of correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Referencing: Thorough and correct use of APA style (6th edition) for format. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Assessment Task 2: Critical essay Goal: Product: Format: In this assessment task, you will need to find relevant research and critically review the research in a manner that is appropriate for the psychology discipline. You will produce a critical essay with a topic within the field of social psychology. The critical essay will have an argument, evidence to support the argument, and a balanced argument. You will be required to choose your own topic of interest (be guided by the list of contents of the Vaughan and Hogg, 2014, text) in the field of social psychology and to critically evaluate the literature. The topic must take on a social psychology perspective. You will need to devise an argument for the topic, be able to outline evidence to support the argument, and also provide a balanced argument (i.e., critique the alternative views). The essay must be critical and not simply descriptive. APA style (6th edition) is required for intext citations, reference list, and format. While your Burton (2010) text provides details on critical essay writing in psychology, be sure to follow the guidelines for the structure of this assessment as provided on Blackboard and in class. Criteria A more detailed outline of the requirements of this assessment will be provided on Blackboard in Week 1. This task will be assessed according to levels of achievement in the following criteria: Requirements: Topic addresses a social psychology perspective. Ability to write to set word limit. Critical Essay: The argument is appropriate and logically consistent. Evidence to support the argument is relevant, clearly outlined, and key limitations are critiqued. A balanced argument is provided by critiquing the alternative views. The critical essay is organised and structured as taught in this course.
Page 5 Clarity and Expression: English grammar, punctuation, and spelling are used correctly. The writing style is appropriate for psychology. Referencing: Thorough and correct use of APA style (6th edition) for citations, quotations, secondary citations, reference list, and format. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Information literacy Assessment Task 3: Examination Goal: The goal of this assessment is for you to revise and understand the content covered in the course. Product: You will need to complete the examination during the Exam Period. Format: The end-of-semester examination will consist of multiple-choice and short answer questions. The questions will be a combination of factual, application, and critical thinking. Criteria Accuracy and correctness of responses. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Plagiarism In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate: 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
Page 6 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours Lecture: 2 hours per week Tutorial: 1 hour per week Online: For weeks 4, 6, and 10 you will have an online activity instead of an on campus tutorial 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 2 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I Week / learn? Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities Lecture Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 1 1 Introduction to social psychology and review of research methods 2 Self, identity, and culture Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapters 4 and 16 3 Social cognition and social thinking Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 2 4 Language and communication Lecture and online Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 15 5 Attitudes, persuasion, and attitude change Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapters 5 and 6 6 Social influence Lecture and online Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 7 7 Attribution and social explanation Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 3 8 Prejudice and discrimination Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 10 9 Attraction and close relationships Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 14 Mid Semester Break 10 Public Holiday Monday 2 nd October Group processes and leadership Lecture and online Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapters 8 and 9 11 Intergroup behaviour Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 11 12 Aggression Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 12 13 Prosocial behaviour Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 13 Study Period Central Examination Period End of Semester Break Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
Page 7 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Burton, L. J. 2010 An interactive approach to writing essays and research reports in psychology (3 rd ed.). Vaughan, G. M., & Hogg, M. A. 2014 Social psychology (7 th ed.). Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Education Australia. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements N/A 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies? In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance is provided to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or Email: student central@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching 10. General enquiries In person: Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1) USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au