Course Catalog

PSY321E Social Psychology (3 credits) 9527

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The scientific study of how our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are affected by the real, imagined, or implied presence of other people. Concepts, terms, methods, theories, and research findings will be covered. Topics include aggression, persuasion, conformity, prejudice, interpersonal attraction and dynamics of close relationships.

LEARNING RESULTS
The learner will be able to:
• Understand major concepts and terms of social psychology and appreciate the manner in which they are interrelated and can be meaningfully applied to the real world.
• Understand the major social psychological theories and apply them in explaining social phenomena.
• Identify and evaluate the scientific methodology used to study human behavior from a social psychological perspective.
• Gather information from the library and/or Internet pertaining to social psychology and integrate and apply what you have learned.
• Apply social psychological principles and research findings to your own life.
• Explain how & why social relationships are established, sustained & sometimes break down
• Apply scientific social psychology to social issues (eg. racism, sexism), moral/social problems (eg. violence, divorce, cohabitation, greed, irresponsible media and societal/cultural change (eg. new vision for America).
• Recognize and appreciate the relevance of a Christian worldview to the study and application of social psychology in addressing the humane reformation of human society.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS
• Exploring Social Psychology (4th edition) - by David G. Myers, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2007. (Paperback ISBN13: 9780073228877)
• The American Paradox: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty -by David G. Myers, New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2000. (Hardcover, ISBN 0-300-08111-1).

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INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING
As Creatures made in the image of a relational God, we are called to love one another. But, because the Fall distorted the entire creation, how we think about and relate to others is often distorted and less than loving. In this course, the learner will gain insights into human behavior - both the effects of grace and of sin - that will be invaluable for service in God’s Kingdom. Among other things, the student will learn about the self-serving biases in our thinking, what factors influence whether or not we help other people, why prejudice is so hard to eliminate.

LEARNING DOCUMENTATION
To determine if the course learning results have been attained, students document their learning by submitting the following items:
• Course Journal
• Social Psychological Analysis of Movie
• Research Paper: Social Proverb
• Midterm Exam
• Final Exam
• Book Review
There are 5 lessons and 2 examinations for this course.

LEARNING EVALUATION
Evaluation is on a point system:
Assignment #1 0 points
Assignment #2 60 points
Assignment #3 30 points
Assignment #4 (Midterm Exam) 50 points
Assignment #5 54 points
Assignment #6 (Final Exam) 46 points
Assignment #7 60 points
Total Points 300 points