LAST UPDATED
Department of Sociology
Spring 2004
Social Psychology
SOCY 4031
HLMS 141
Tuesday & Thursday
Professor Leslie Irvine
Office: Ketchum 223
Phone: 303-492-7039
email: irvinel@colorado.edu
(best way to contact)
Office hours: Thursday 11-12 (other times by appointment)
Course Description and Objectives
This course will introduce you to major approaches, debates, and theories of sociological social psychology. Social Psychology is situated between psychology, which examines inner lives and selves, and sociology, which examines the relationships between collectivities and organizations. Social psychologists examine how the self and the social interpenetrate, as well as how individuals influence one another. In other words, social psychology looks at the micro-macro link.
By setting out as its terrain the intersection of two disciplines, social psychology has the benefits of borrowing from both intellectual histories. Yet, because of the organizational structure of American universities, social psychologists tend to be in either psychology departments or sociology departments. This course deliberately adopts an inclusive view that recognizes the contributions of both traditions but concentrates on the sociological.
The course is organized into four parts, following the four core topics of sociological social psychology.
Part I: The Social Construction of Reality
Part II: The Sociology of Thought and Emotions
Part III: The Self in Context
Part IV: Interaction and Inequality
The course combines lecture, film, activities, and discussion of the readings intended to bring social psychological concepts to life for you. It will not be a “memorize the lecture notes” course, and its success depends largely on your taking an active role in learning.
Course Requirements
This
is an upper-division course that many students find quite challenging. It
requires a considerable amount of reading and active engagement with the
material. You must keep current with the reading and class notes, even if you
must miss a class. If you miss a class, first contact a classmate for notes.
After you have copied and reviewed the notes, you may see me for additional
clarification of the material.
You must obtain the course text and bring it to class with you every day:
Branaman, Ann (ed.) 2001. Self and Society. Malden MA and Oxford UK: Blackwell Publishers.
You must keep up with the readings and participate in class discussions and activities. Plan to read all assigned reading by class time on the assigned day. Because we will devote much of the class time to discussions based on the reading, completion of the reading is critical to your success in this course.
Grading
I will base grades on four tests, one following each section of the course. The last of these tests will constitute the final exam. The exams each count for 25 percent of your grade. If you are on the borderline when I calculate the final grade, regular participation and attendance can only improve your grade. I will determine final grades using the following point distribution (any half points you may receive will be rounded up).
|
A = 93-100 |
C = 73-76 |
|
A-= 90-92 |
C- = 70-72 |
|
B+= 86-89 |
D+ = 66-69 |
|
B = 83-85 |
D = 63-65 |
|
B- =80-82 |
D-= 60-62 |
|
C+= 77-79 |
F = below 60 |
The tests will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and
essay questions. You must bring blue books to class for all tests. I will
provide on-line study guides for the first three tests and we will have a
review for the final.
I will not offer make-up tests unless you have highly extenuating circumstances, such
as a serious illness or a death in your family. In such a case, please contact
me as soon as possible to inform me of your situation. I reserve the right to
ask for documentation of your circumstances.
If you have more than two finals scheduled for May 1, see me
two weeks before the end of the semester to make alternative arrangements.
Students who fail the first test must meet with me to discuss strategies for
improving test-taking and study skills.
In some instances, you may earn additional points on your
test grades for writing a “Challenge Essay” if you encounter a misleading or
vague question. If you find that a question could have been understood in a way
other than that which I intended, and which consequently makes your answer
correct, you may defend your answer by writing a one-page, double-spaced essay
(typed) explaining what made you interpret the question in a particular way and
why you then answered the way you did. Challenge Essays are due one week after
I return the relevant test; there are no exceptions. The final exam is not
eligible for Challenges.
Classroom Behavior Policy
Please turn phones and pagers off
before the start of class. Refrain from sleeping, holding conversations,
reading newspapers, balancing checkbooks, or studying for other classes. Be
courteous when others are speaking. Our classroom will be a safe and open
environment for everyone. I will not tolerate discrimination, slander, or
criticism of anyone based on sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, color,
ideas, or beliefs. However, all ideas relevant to the course are open to
discussion and constructive criticism. Class members who hold or oppose such
ideas or initiate criticism will not themselves be the subjects of attack.
Disability Policy
Students with documented disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities should see me after class or during my office hours (preferably during the first two weeks of class) to discuss possible reasonable accommodations. For more information, consult The Office of Disability Services, Willard 322 (303-492-8671).
Academic Integrity and Honor Code
Plagiarism and cheating will be grounds for receiving a failing grade on the relevant test or assignment or possibly failing the course. To ensure academic integrity, students in this course must observe the Honor Code and write the following statement on all tests:
On my honor, as a University of Colorado student, I have neither given
nor received unauthorized assistance on this work.
Course
Schedule
(Subject to change: I will announce changes in class and online.)
Please
bring the relevant reading to class on the assigned day. Note: read the
introduction to each section as well as the chapters.
Jan 13 Introduction to the course
Jan 15 Introduction to Social Psychology; read Editor’s Introduction
Part I: The Social Construction of Reality
Go to study guide for
this section
Jan 20 Reading #1
Jan 22 Reading #2
Jan 27 Readings #3 & 4
Jan 29 Reading #5
Feb 3 Reading #6
Go to photo archives of child labor in the U.S. 1908-1912
Feb 5 Reading #7
Feb 10 Test
Part II: The Sociology of Thought and Emotions
Go to study guide for
this section
Feb 12 Reading #8
Feb 17 Reading #9
Feb 19 Reading #10
Feb 24 Continued discussion of
Feb 26 Reading #11
Mar 2 Test
Note: Bring your blue book from the
first test. You may use the blank pages for the essays in this test.
Part III: The Self in Context
Go to study guide for this
section
Mar 4 Reading #12
Find out more about Erving Goffman
Mar 9 Reading #13
Mar 11 Readings #14
Mar 16 Reading #15
Mar 18 Reading #16
Mar 23-25 SPRING BREAK—NO CLASS
Mar 30 Reading #17
Apr 1 Reading #18
Apr 6 Test
Part IV: Interaction and Inequality
Go to study guide for
this section
Apr 8 Reading #19
Apr 13 Reading #20
Apr 15 Reading #21
Apr 20 Reading #22
Apr 22 Reading #23
Apr 27 Reading #24
Apr 29 Review
May 1 Final exam Saturday,
Interesting and useful links:
For more information on Social Psychology, check out www.socialpsychology.org/
For a link on teenagers, sleep, and learning, see PBS Frontline on the Teenage Brain