Psychology 380: Introduction to Social Psychology, Winter Term, 2000
Discussion Sections 009 & 010
009 (F 9-11, 229 Denn.)
010 (F 11-1, 224 Denn.)
Instructor: Greg Feldkamp
E-mail: gpf@umich.edu
Office Phone: 647-3515
Office Hours: F 1-2, 3261 East Hall (or check 3254 computer lab) and by appointment
Home Phone: 761-6067 (9 AM to 10 PM only, please.)
Goal
The goal of discussion section is to clarify and expand upon lecture material, to prepare you for the exams and to help you to become better people through your understanding of social psychology. There are three ways that we'll do this:
Discuss questions and issues raised by lecture material, the book, and the coursepack.
Take and discuss in-class quizzes.
Participate in social psychology experiments and activities.
Discussion
Discussion section is a kind, respectful, and informative place. Every person should come to every section with at least one class-related question to ask and one class-related point to share. I will take volunteers, and I will call on people. Each section will typically begin with a 10-15 minute question and answer review. Do not waste your tuition or your time. Ask questions and walk into section thinking, "What can I learn today?"
I will raise your section grade based on respectful, insightful, and prepared class participation, and will lower your section grade for clear lack of preparation or disrespectful behavior.
In-Class Quizzes
During each section and after the review, a five-problem quiz (with occasional extra-credit questions) will be given. Questions for the quizzes will come from both lecture and readings and will cover material from the Tuesday and Thursday immediately preceding Friday's section. They will be a combination of multiple choice, fill in the blank, T/F, and short answer. Generally, these quizzes will be difficult: they will reward consistent attendance at lecture and weekly preparation, and prepare you for the midterms. A sample quiz will be distributed at the first section, and there will be a total of 11 quizzes. Immediately after each quiz, we will review and explain the correct answers.
Policy on missed quizzes: The quizzes will be given in section only. Make-up quizzes will be administered only in extreme and well-documented emergencies, and they may be essay format.
Note: Your lowest two quiz scores will be dropped!
Fairness policy: The quizzes will be difficult, but fair. If, after the review and explanation, you believe your answer is a better answer than the "correct" answer, you may justify your answer in writing and explain why it is better than the correct answer. This written justification should be turned in by the end of my office hours no later than 1 week after the quiz is administered (2 p.m. the week after the quiz is administered).
At the end of the semester, total points on these quizzes will determine 10% of your grade.
Reaction Papers and Extra-Credit Reaction Papers
You must write two reaction papers over the course of the semester. Each reaction paper not turned in will lower your section grade by 1/3 (e.g. A- would become a B+, a B+ would become a B). You may also receive extra credit for any additional papers you write.
Reaction papers should be one page long (1" margins, Times New Roman 12 pt font, double-spaced) and must be turned in during section for the week that they are assigned or they will not be given any credit.
Below you will see the reaction paper topic that is assigned for each week:
Date / Section / Topic / Reaction Paper Assignment
Jan 21 / Experimentation, Social Cognition / CP article No.1
Jan 28 / Impression Formation, Attribution, Exam 1 Review / CP article No.2
Feb 4 / The Self / Chapter 5
Feb 11 / The Self continued, Attitudes & Persuasion / CP article No.3
Feb 18 / Cognitive Dissonance / Chapter 6
Feb 25 / Social Influence & Compliance / CP article No.4
Mar 03** / Break, no meeting--- --- --- --- ---
Mar 10 / Conformity & Obedience, Exam 2 Review / CP article No.5
Mar 17 / Group Processes / Chapter 9
Mar 24 / Stereotyping & Prejudice / CP article No.6
Mar 31 / Attraction, Close Relationships / Chapter 10
Apr 07 / Aggression, Prosocial Behavior, Review for Exam 3 / Chapter 11
This paper is for you to record your reaction to the assigned coursepack or textbook chapter reading. You do not need to answer a specific question, or to compose an organized mini-thesis. The requirement of the paper, rather, is to demonstrate your critical thought.
For example, when you write your paper in response to a coursepack reading:
You can comment on the experimental design,Make suggestions for how to improve the design,
Question the authors' assumptions,
Discuss the real life implications of the findings.
If some parts of the authors' reasoning do not make sense to you, write about it and explain why.
If you totally agree with the authors, you could choose to think about what other questions arise from these findings, or what speculate on what other experiments can be done.
You can also try to relate the reading to material in the textbook.
If you know something relevant from another class, then discuss that.
The possibilities are vast.
DO NOT just say "it was interesting," or "I disagree/agree with the author" and stop there. Explain why it is you think the piece was interesting, why you agree/disagree. Also, DO NOT just restate to me what happened in the article; you may assume I am familiar with the article.
Textbook chapter reaction paper. During the weeks in which a textbook chapter is assigned, choose any topic or social psychological phenomenon from the chapter for this week. Write about a personal experience and how this psychological topic relates to that experience. What did you find interesting? Any parallels or connections to draw between topics within the chapter?
* * *
A good way to be efficient when writing the reaction paper is to take notes (on a separate sheet or in the margin) as you read the article, noting your thoughts and questions. Once that is done, writing the reaction paper should take about one half hour.
Again, reaction papers are only accepted during section times. No late reaction papers are accepted. Reaction papers not turned in will receive zero points.
Grading
2 points: Well-organized and insightfully written, no grammatical or spelling errors.
1 point: Demonstrated knowledge of the reading and some good points, very few errors.
0 points: Points were unclear or not understandable or many errors.
2 Required Course Projects/Papers
Bookkeeping. Each paper that you hand in to me must be typed and double-spaced, using standard margins, point size and fonts (i.e., 1" margins, 12 point-size, Times New Roman). Papers will be graded anonymously; please use your student ID number (i.e., the last 6 digits of your social security number). Please list your section number. Do not use your name. Poor grammar and spelling errors will lower your paper grades. If you know these are problem areas for you, please have someone else look over your paper before handing it in. The Writing Center (1139 Angell Hall, 4-0429, www.lsa.umich.edu/ecb/help/owl.html) is one resource you can use for reviewing drafts and improving your writing.
Late Policy. Papers are due at the beginning of section. Late papers will be downgraded 1/3 a grade for each successive day that it is late. (For example, an A- would become a B+, a B+ would become a B, etc.) If you know you will be gone the day that the paper is due, arrange to turn it in early. Reaction papers, quizzes, and discussion questions are not accepted lateÖplease see above.
Plagiarism. I do not tolerate plagiarism or cheating. Once caught, the department requires I turn people who have plagiarized. The penalty can include dismissal from the University of Michigan. Remember, plagiarism does not merely consist of turning in an assignment someone else wrote. Plagiarism also occurs when the sources of ideas or words (direct quotes) are not cited.
Each required paper/project is worth 15% of your total class grade.
Schedule
Please consult the course syllabus for a detailed list of weekly readings. Below is a tentative schedule of important course dates. The time and rooms for the three exams will be announced during lectures.
January 27 Design an Experiment Proposal Materials distributed
February 24 Design an Experiment Proposal due
February 3 Exam One
March 14 Exam Two
February 17 Film Analysis Materials distributed
March 30 Film Analysis paper due
April 13 Exam Three
The Most Important Section on This Syllabus: Classroom Expectations
I will lower your section grade if you clearly intend to intimidate, harass, demean, or disrespect any of your classmates. You may analyze and criticize ideas, not people. We will all treat each other with respect in section.
I will lower your section grade if you hold side conversations while I or one of your classmates is speaking. Even whispering is disruptive and disrespectful. Please give me your full attention once section begins.
Do not arrive to section late or leave section early. Even if you have a legitimate excuse, this is a disruption for your classmates. I will lower your grade for excessive disruptions.
If you have any specific needs (e.g., vision, hearing, English as a Second Language, learning, medical) please let me know by the second week of class so that I can make the appropriate arrangements. This includes any needs related to any religious or cultural practices.
You may bring in food as long as it is not disruptive.
Please give me feedback. People learn and teach differently. I strongly urge you to make the most of your education and give me feedback about what in particular helps you learn. Midway through the term, I will conduct an informal evaluation of your likes/dislikes with respect to the section. A formal evaluation will take place at the end of the term. In addition, I am available during office hours, by appointment, phone or email if you would like to speak to me about any idea, comment, etc. you may have concerning the discussion section. I welcome all positive feedback in the form of chocolate chip cookies or bagels or any kind of fruit that doesn't look nasty. I welcome all negative feedback in the form of politely worded conversations or emails, preferably accompanied with chocolate chip cookies or bagels or fruit that doesn't look nasty.
It is your responsibility that you are officially registered for the course and that you are on the section email list. I communicate important information to the section through email, so notify me ASAP if you are not receiving the section emails.
Everybody should come to office hours at least once to keep me from being bored. We can talk about social psychology, psychology in general, law school, or just sit and look at each other. Even that's better than looking at my bare walls. Or bring chocolate chip bagels for the both of us. If you have a particular interest in researching any aspect of Social Psychology, I would be very happy to discuss a study plan with you.
Last comments
Discussion section will be both entertaining and informative. I promise you will have fun and learn a lot. I cannot encourage you enough to ask questions (even if the question is "Could you say that one more time" because I know I speak quickly sometimes). I will either have the answer or I will find it for you. How easy is that? Also, if you think you have the material down cold or at least some parts of it, speak up and add your insights to the discussion section. Also be humble because we all have more to learn.
About grades: Try not to be too preoccupied with your section grade. The section grading system rewards both effort and class attendance. The quizzes will be difficult, but they will not disadvantage you with respect to other sections. They will prepare you well for the midterms.
I will always clearly organize our sections by writing an agenda on the board. I will offer very helpful exam review sessions before each of the midterms. Please remind me to do both of these things in case I forget.
Quick Summary
11 Quizzes (you may drop two) = 10%
2 Mandatory Reaction Papers
Extra Credit Reaction Papers = 0-2 quiz points
Mandatory weekly questions/insights
2 Course Papers/Projects = 30% (15% each)
3 Exams = 60% (20% each)