1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Center for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia
Foundation in Natural and Built Environments
Subject Name: Social Psychology (PSY30203)
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: None
L e c t u r e r: M s . Norul Hidaya h
binti Mamat @ Muhammad
Module Synopsis
The module provides a broad introduction to the field of social psychology. It examines the processes that
underlie social behaviour and discusses solutions and approaches to a variety of problems and issues. As
the human family stands on the brink of a new beginning, the condition of our present lives suggests that we
should address issues that have confronted mankind in the previous millennium. It should also equi p
students with the necessary knowledge and skills to address contemporary issues, thus enabling them to focus
attention on the future without losing sight of the present. The module begins at the micro level and mov es
through human interaction to the macro level. The underlying premise is that the individual needs to empower
him/herself first before he/she interacts effectively with others. As such, students are introduced to their self,
the processing of social information processing and attitudes is explored within the specific framewor k
of prejudice and stereotypes. From this focus on their self, the module moves into the realm of interpersonal
relations, beginning with attraction and altruism and then on to the darker side to explore aggression. It also
addresses the arena of social interactions by examining group behaviour and the influence within social
settings. The journey ends by examining how social behaviour is affected by the culture in which it takes place.
Indeed, the end of the course heralds the beginning of a richer and fuller life for many of us.
Module Teaching Objectives
 Provide a clear, informative, challenging, exciting and personal introduction to Social Psychology.
 Enable students to gain an increased awareness and sharpened sensitivity to human behaviour to
enable them to relate meaningfully with others.
 Enable students become aware that human thoughts, feelings and actions do not originate solely within
ourselves but also the products of social situations.
 Gain a new vision of the human experience and emerge as active and critical participants in an ever-changing
world.
Modes of Delivery
This is a 3 credit hour module conducted over a period of 18 weeks. The modes of delivery will be in the form
or lectures. The breakdown of the contact hours for the module is as follows:
Lecture: 1 hour/week
Tutorial: 2 hours/week
Office Hours
You are encouraged to visit the instructor/lecturer/tutor concerned for assistance during office hours. If the office
hours do not meet your schedule, notify the instructor and set appointment times as needed.
Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities (TGC)
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2. T he teaching and learning approach at T aylor’s University is focused on developing the T aylor’s Graduate
Capabilities in its students; capabilities that encompass the knowledge, cognitive capabilities and soft skills of our
graduates.
Discipline Specific Knowledge
TGCs Acquired
Through Module
Learning Outcomes
1.0
Discipline Specific Knowledge
1.1 Solid foundational knowledge in relevant subjects 1-3
1.2 Understand ethical issues in the context of the field of study
Cognitive Capabilities
2.0
Lifelong Learning
2.1 Locate and extract information effectively
2.2 Relate learned knowledge to everyday life
3.0
Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
3.1 Learn to think critically and creatively 1,2
3.2 Define and analyze problems to arrive at effective solutions 3
Soft Skills
4.0
Communication Skills
4.1 Communicate appropriately in various setting and modes 1,3
5.0
Interpersonal Skills
5.1 Understand team dynamics and work with others in a team
6.0
Intrapersonal Skills
6.1 Manage one self and be self-reliant -
6.2 Reflect on one’s actions and learning. -
6.3 Embody Taylor's core values. -
7.0
Citizenship and Global Perspectives
7.1 Be aware and form opinions from diverse perspectives. -
7.2 Understand the value of civic responsibility and community engagement. -
8.0
Digital Literacy
8.1
Effective use of information and communication (ICT) and related
technologies.
General Rules and Regulations (Refer to programme guide and student handbook 2012)
Late Submission Penalty
-
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3. The School imposes a late submission penalty for work submitted late without a valid reason e.g. a medical
certificate. Any work submitted after the deadline (which may have been extended) shall have the
percentage grade assigned to the work on face value reduced by 10% for the first day and 5% for each
subsequent day late. A weekend counts as 1 day.
Individual members of staff shall be permitted to grant extensions for assessed work that they have set if they
are satisfied that a student has given good reasons.
The Board of Examiners may overrule any penalty imposed and allow the actual mark achieved to be used if
the late submission was for a good reason.
Absenteeism at intermediate or final presentations will result in zero mark for that presentation.
Attendance and Participation
Attendance is compulsory. Any student who arrives late after the first half-hour of class will be considered as
absent. A minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass this module and/or be eligible for the final
examination. You are expected to attend and participate actively in class. The lectures and tutorials will
assist you in expanding your ideas and your research progression.
Your work will be graded based on your performance throughout the semester. Your class participation is as
important as the end product.
It is compulsory for the student to attempt and submit all assessment components including Portfolio. Failing
to do so will result in failing the module irrespective of the marks earned.
It is also compulsory for the student to submit the final group assignment. Groups who do not submit final group
assignments will result in failing the module even though the student has achieved more than 50% in the overall
assessment.
Plagiarism (TU Student Handbook 2011)
Plagiarism, which is an attempt to present another person’s work as your own by not acknowledging the source,
is a serious case of misconduct which is deemed unacceptable by the University. "Work" includes written
materials such as books, journals and magazine articles or other papers and also includes films and computer
programs. The two most common types of plagiarism are from published materials and other students ’
works
a. Published Materials
In general, whenever anything from someone else’s work is used, whether it is an idea, an opinion or the results
of a study or review, a standard system of referencing should be used. Examples of plagiarism may include a
sentence or two, or a table or a diagram from a book or an article used without acknowledgement. Serious cases
of plagiarism can be seen in cases where the entire paper presented by the student is copied from another book ,
with an addition of only a sentence or two by the student. While the former can be treated as a simple
failure to cite references, the latter is likely to be viewed as cheating in an examination. Though mos t
assignments require the need for reference to other peoples’ works, in order to avoid plagiarism, students
should keep a detailed record of the sources of ideas and findings and ensure that these sources are clearly
quoted in their assignment. Note that plagiarism refers to materials obtained from the Internet too.
b. Other Students’ Work
Circulating relevant articles and discussing ideas before writing an assignment is a common practice. However ,
with the exception of group assignments, students should write their own papers. Plagiarizing the work of other
students into assignments includes using identical or very similar sentences, paragraphs or sections. When two
students submit papers which are very similar in tone and content, both are likely to be penalized.
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4. Student-Centered Learning Approach
This module uses the Student-centered Learning (SCL) approach. Utilization of this method embodies most of
the principles known to improve learning and to encourage student’s participation. SCL requires students to be
active, RESPONSIBLE participants in their own learning and the teachers are to facilitate the students learni ng
process. Various teaching and learning strategies such as experiential learning, problem-based learning, site
visits, group discussions, presentations, working in group and etc. will be employed to facilitate the learni ng
process for this module.
In SCL students are to be:
 active in their own learning
 self-directed to be responsible to enhance their learning abilities
 able to cultivate skills that are useful in today’s workplace
 active knowledge seekers
 active players in a teamwork
TIMeS
TIMeS will be used as a communication tool and information portal for students to access module materials,
project briefs, assignments and announcements .
Contact
Lecturer: Ms. Norul Hidayah binti Mamat @ Muhammad Email: hidayah_2002@y ahoo.com
Office Hours
Students are encouraged to visit the lecturer concerned for assistance. Please email the lecturer to
schedule an appointment.
Types of Assessment and Feedback
Each student will be graded in the form of formative and summative assessments that will be provided in class
sessions. Formative assessments will guide the student in the assignments. This form of assessment will be
conducted through discussions in tutorial sessions. Summative assessment will inform the student about the
level of understanding and performance capabilities achieved at the end of each assessment. Portfolio is used
as a reflection of the acquisition of learning outcomes.
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5. Assessment Plan
Type Learning outcomes Submission Marks
Assignm ent 1: Journal Individual 1-3 Week 5 and Week 12 20%
Assignment 2: Comic
Strip
Individual 1-3 Week 14 10%
Project:
Final Project + Group
Present ation
Group
2,3,4
Week 15 (present ation ) and
Week 16 (project )
40%
Test 1 & 2 Individual 1, 4 Week 9 and Week 17 20%
E-Portfolio Individual Week 18 10%
Total
100%
Coursework
This module will be graded in the form of individual and group assessments . It consists of two journals, a comic
strip, a final project (inclusive of group presentation) and tests .
Assignment 1: Journal (20%)
The first assignment requires student to write a journal by incorporating the concepts learned in lectures. The
journal is designed to assess students’ ability in applying theories and concepts to their personal lives and that
of others.
Assignment 2: Comic Strip (10%)
The second assignment requires students create a comic strip based on a chosen topic discussed in social
psychology. They will need to create a short sequence of drawing in interrelated panels to display the narrative
series of the intended topic.
Project: Final Project and Group Presentation. (40%)
Students are required to choose a topic of interest within social psychology and create a built environment
design to reflect the topic. This is a project exploring creativity and innovation, through which various issues
within the discipline can be presented. Students will be assigned into groups as the project aims for them to
work as a team, plan and present their design.
Test (20%)
The test is designed to assess the ability of the students in defining and explain psychological content such
as concepts, facts, terms, and theories and remember them. The format of the assessment will be multipl e
choice questions.
Taylor’s Graduate’s Capability Portfolio (10%)
The portfolio is an edited document to include all the work produced in this module Students will compil e
their assignments and selected work digitally with a reflection on what they have learned from each assignment
this semester. The portfolio is used to as a record of students’ progress and reflections of the acquisition of
Learning Outcomes.
Please refer to the assignment briefs for more information.
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6. Student Input
Student participation is encouraged through various means. In this module, students have the opportunity to
participate in the following ways:
 Students’ ideas and questions are welcomed, valued and encouraged.
 Student input is sought to understand their perspectives, ideas and needs in planning module revision.
 Students are offered opportunities to give feedback with the assurance that issues will be addressed in
response to that feedback.
 Student evaluation allows their views and experiences about the sessions are actively sought and used as
an integral part of improvement in teaching and continuous improvement.
Marks and Grading Table
Assessments and grades will be returned within 2 weeks of your submission. You will be given
the grades and necessary feedback for each submission. The grading system is shown below:
Grade
Marks
Grade
Points
Definition
Description
A
80 – 100
4.00
Excellent
Evidence of original thinking; demonstrated outstanding
capacity to analyze and synthesize; outstanding grasp of
module matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base
A-
75 – 79
3.67
Very Good
Evidence of good grasp of module matter; critical capacity
and analytical ability; understanding of relevant issues;
evidence of familiarity with the literature
B+ 70 – 74 3.33
Good
Evidence of grasp of module matter; critical capacity and
analytical ability, reasonable understanding of relevant
issues; evidence of familiarity with the literature
B
65 – 69
3.00
B- 60 – 64 2.67
Pass
Evidence of some understanding of the module matter;
ability to develop solutions to simple problems; benefitting
from his/her university experience
C+ 55 – 59 2.33
C 50 – 54 2.00
D+ 47 – 49 1.67
Marginal
Pass
Evidence of minimally acceptable familiarity with module
matter, critical and analytical skills
D
44 – 46
1.33
D- 40 – 43 1.00
F
0 – 39
0.00
Fail
Insufficient evidence of understanding of the module matter ;
weakness in critical and analytical skills; limited or irrelevant
use of the literature
WD
-
-
Withdrawn
Withdrawn from a module before census date, typically mid
semester
F(W) 0 0.00 Fail Withdrawn after census date, typically mid semester
IN
-
-
Incomplete
An interim notation given for a module where a student has
not completed certain requirements with valid reason or it is
not possible to finalise the grade by the published deadline
P - - Pass Given for satisfactory completion of practicum
AU
-
-
Audit
Given for a module where attendance is for information only
without earning academic credit
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7. Recommended Reading
Main Reference:
Baron, R. A., Branscombe N. R., & Byrne , D. (2008). Social Psychology. Twelfth Edition. Boston: Allyn and
Bacon
Additional Reference:
Franzoi, S. L. (2009). Social Psychology. Fifth Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill
Module Schedule
Week Topic Lecture Tutorial Blended
Learning
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Notes
Week 1
25 & 26 Sept 14
- - - -
Week 2
2 & 3 Oct 14
Chapter 1: Introduction to Social
Psychology (Part 1)
1 2 2
Week 3
9 & 10 Oct 14
Chapter 1: Introduction to Social
Psychology (Part 2)
1 2 2
Week 4
16 & 17 Oct 14
Chapter 2: Social Cognition (Part
1)
1 2 2
Semester Break – 23 & 24 Oct 14
Week 5
30 & 31 Oct 14
Chapter 2: Social Cognition (Part
1)
1 2 2 First Journal
Submission
Week 6
6 & 7 Nov 14
Chapter 3: Social Perception (Part
1)
1 2 2
Week 7
13 & 14 Nov 14
Chapter 3: Social Perception (Part
2)
1 2 2
Week 8
20 & 21 Nov 14
Chapter 4: The Self 1 2 2
Week 9
27 & 28 Nov 14
Chapter 5: Attitudes 1 2 2 Test 1
Chapter 1 - 4
Week 10
4 & 5 Dec 14
Chapter 6: Stereotyping, Prejudice
and Discrimination
1 2 2
Week 11
11 & 12 Dec 14
Chapter 7: Interpersonal Attraction
and Close Relationship
1 2 2
Week 12
18 & 19 Dec 14
Chapter 8: Social Influence 1 2 2 Second
Journal
Submission
Christmas Break – 25 & 26 Dec 14
Week 13
1 & 2 Jan 14
Chapter 9: Prosocial Behavior 1 2 2
Week 14
8 & 9 Jan 15
Chapter 10: Aggression; Its
Nature, Causes and Control
1 2 2 Submission of
Comic Strip
Week 15
15 & 16 Jan 15
Presentation 1 2 2
Week 16
22 & 23 Jan 15
Revision 1 2 2 Submission of
final project

8. Week 17
29 & 30 Jan 15
Test 2 1 2 2 Test 2
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Chapter 5-10
Week 18
5 & 6 Feb 15
1 2 2 E-Portfolio