SOC-254: Social Psychology

School
Liberal Arts
Division
Social Sciences
Department
Sociology
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Sociology
Course Number
254
Course Title
Social Psychology
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
PSY-131 and SOC-131 or Instructor Permission
Catalog Course Description

Introduces the social forces affecting people’s lives and how people affect their group. Examines three areas of behavior resulting from intentional influence, membership in a group, and social interaction. Also explores self-perception, behavior and attitude, attraction, aggression, altruism, and group processes. May be taken for credit in either psychology or sociology but not both.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. The Self
  2. Self-Presentation and Social Perception
  3. Social
  4. Attitudes
  5. Persuasion
  6. Prejudice and Discrimination
  7. Social Influence
  8. Group Behavior
  9. Interpersonal Attraction
  10. Intimate Relationships
  11. Aggression
  12. Prosocial Behavior: Helping Others
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
  1. Explain how the self influences and is influenced by the social environment;
  2. Explain the psychology of the self and the important functions that the self as a construct serves;
  3. Describe the ways in which people interpret, analyze, remember, and use information about the social world;
  4. Comparing multiple perspectives on attitude formation, discuss attitudes and how they develop;
  5. Determine and analyze the effectiveness of a persuasive message;
  6. Explain the social and psychological causes of prejudice and discrimination and describe ways to reduce negative intergroup behavior and evaluations;
  7. Explain the concept of social influence and describe the social and psychological factors that influence conformity, compliance, and obedience;
  8. Discuss the characteristics of group behavior, including leadership and decision making;
  9. Describe interpersonal attraction and explain the concepts of affiliation needs;
  10. Define and explain the concept of aggression from both social and psychological viewpoints.
  11. Analyze the helping process or prosocial behavior by answering some basic questions: Why do we help others? When do we help others? Who among us is most likely to help? Who are we likely to help?
  12. Analyze a current social issue by applying the concepts and theories learned in social psychology.*

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Each instructor will identify and implement appropriate methods to assess the achievement of the learning objectives for the course.

Outcomes

General Education Categories
  • Social Sciences
MTA Categories
  • Category 4: Social Sciences

Credit for Prior College-Level Learning

Options for Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Other
Other Details

Determined by department

Effective Term
Winter 2014