Course outline. Code: PSY204 Title: Social Psychology

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1 Faculty of Arts and Business School of Social Sciences Teaching Session: Semester 2 Year: 2015 Course Coordinator: Dr Kay Pozzebon Room: T2.10 Phone: (07) 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. Developing 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

2 Page 2 2. Unit value 12 units 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks Graduate Qualities On successful completion of this course you should be able to: You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: 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 PSY 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)

3 Page Assessment tasks Task Assessment No. Tasks 1 Newspaper article analyses Individual or Group Weighting % Individual 20% total What is the duration / length? 150 words each (450 words total) When should I submit? Wednesday, Week 5, 4pm 2 Critical essay Individual 40% 2000 words Wednesday, Week 9, 4pm 3 Examination Individual 40% 2 hours Central examination period 100% Where should I submit it? Hardcopy submission into FAB Assignment Box Electronically through SafeAssign In exam venue Assessment Task 1: Newspaper article analyses Goal: Product: Format: The goal of this assessment task is to develop your skills in applying social psychology to everyday life (via newspaper articles). Three short answer responses, one for each of the three newspaper articles chosen. You will be required to find three newspaper articles in which a social psychology term from chapter 2, 4, or 16 of the Vaughan and Hogg (2014) text can be applied a different chapter for each newspaper article. Newspaper articles must be in English and published during July 2015 to August Ensure that the three newspaper articles are on different stories and topics/issues. For each newspaper article, a social psychology term from only one of the set chapters must be applied. This means that for one newspaper article, you will apply a social psychology term from chapter 2 only; the second newspaper article, you will apply a social psychology term from chapter 4 only; the third newspaper article, you will apply a social psychology term from chapter 16 only. 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 identified in the article, 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 issue outlined in the article, the relevance of the term, 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 content of the newspaper article. Also, do not provide a summary of the newspaper article. As this assessment requires you to apply social psychology to the newspaper article, no referencing is required (i.e., do not use in-text citations and do not provide a reference list). Each newspaper article analysis should have a title in the correct APA style (no headings are to be used within an analysis). A title page is required. Copies of the three newspaper articles must be included and securely attached to the back of the hardcopy assignment (be sure to keep the original newspaper articles in a safe place).

4 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 for each newspaper article analysis. Social psychology terms from chapters 2, 4, and 16 of Vaughan and Hogg (2014). Copies of the three newspaper articles are provided published during July 2015 to August 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 Developing 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.

5 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 Developing Information literacy Developing 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 Developing 5.3 Additional assessment requirements SafeAssign In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks are submitted electronically via SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. If required, details of how to submit via SafeAssign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course. 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.

6 Page 6 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours On campus Lecture: 2 hours per week On campus 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 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 Monday, 5 th October Labour Day Public Holiday Group processes and leadership Lecture and online Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapters 8 and 9 11 Intergroup behaviour Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter Aggression Lecture and tutorial Vaughan & Hogg (2014) Chapter 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.

7 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 An interactive approach to writing essays and research reports in psychology (3 rd edn.) Vaughan, G. M., & Hogg, M. A Social psychology (7 th edn.) 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. Student Life and Learning provides additional assistance to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or StudentLifeandLearning@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 Faculty specific information Locating Journal Articles If you have been notified that any journal articles in this course are available on e-reserve, use the on-line library catalogue to find them. For journal articles not on e-reserve, click on the "Journals and Newspapers" link on the Library Homepage. Enter the journal title e.g. History Australia, then search for the volume and issue or keyword as needed.

8 Page 8 Assignment Cover Sheets The Faculty of Arts and Business assignment cover sheet can be found on Blackboard or on the USC Portal at: Faculty of Arts and Business (Students) > Forms. It must be completed in full identifying student name, assignment topic, tutor and tutorial time. This must be attached securely to the front of each assessment item prior to submission. Claims of loss of assignments will not be considered unless supported by a receipt. Help: If you are experiencing problems with your studies or academic work, consult your tutor in the first instance or the Course Coordinator as quickly as possible. Timely assistance can prevent a problem turning into a major issue. Difficulties: If you are experiencing difficulties relating to teaching and assessment you should approach your tutor in the first instance. If not satisfied after that you should approach in order your Course Coordinator, Program Coordinator, then Head of School. General enquiries and student support Faculty Student Centre Tel: Fax: FABinfo@usc.edu.au