Social Psychology syllabus summer 2019

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LA VALLEY COLLEGE
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYCH 013-12193
SUMMER 2019
Instructor: Janet Carney, M.A., L.M.F.T.
Meetings: ACA room 1803, 10:50 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., Mo, Tu, We, Th
Office Hours: daily after class by appointment.
Email: professorjc@sbcglobal.net.
DESCRIPTION
Examines human social interactions, how feelings and behavior are influenced by the
behavior and characteristics of others. Emphasizes such topics as: liking and loving;
forming impressions of other people; increasing and decreasing aggression; changing
attitudes; interactions within groups; and the psychology of conformity, obedience, and
prejudice.
Texts: ISBN: 978-0-07-786197-1, McGraw-Hill, San Francisco, CA
TITLE ED AUTHOR (S) TYPE PURCHASE
Social Psychology 12th Myers, David G. & Twenge,
Jean M.
TX REQUIRED
Suggestions, not recommendations:
Affordable College eBooks
$3.99 http://vintage-peace9.mybigcommerce.com/social-psychology-12th-edition-myers-
ebook-pdf/
Vital Source
https://www.vitalsource.com/products/social-psychology-david-myers-v9781259294198
Attendance Policy
Students are responsible for arriving before class begins and remaining for the
duration of the course meeting. You may be excluded from the class if you miss 4
hours of class. You are likely to be excluded if you miss either of the first two days
of class. Anyone not officially enrolled will not be eligible to take exams or turn in
work for credit. Up until the fourth week, it is your responsibility to confirm
enrollment in person when attendance is called as well as through the online student
information system. Students who are not officially enrolled will not receive credit
for any exams or assignments, evenif I have mistakenly graded assignments or
exams. It is your responsibility to keepa record of your enrollment and confirm
your class schedule. Or, if you do not have any exams or assignments before census:
If you are not officially enrolled in the class before census, you will not be able to
continue attending or be eligible to add.
An appointment is not a valid reason to miss class. When you make an appointment,
work around your school hours. Make learning a priority and work your appointments in

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at other times. Coming to class late or leaving early will be marked as the equivalent
of 1/2 of an absence.
Course Grading Standards
A final letter grade is to be given to each enrolled student in accordance with the 4.00 grading
system shown below.
Letter
Grade
Percent of Total
Points
Grade
Points
A 90 - 100% 4.00
B 80 - 89% 3.00
C 70 - 79% 2.00
D 60 - 69% 1.00
F Below 60% 0.00
Grading:
All grades are earned and based on the student’s performance. It is your responsibility to
keep track of your grades.
Assignment Points % of Grade Earned Points
Quizzes (2) 150 15%
Homework 150 15%
Game Project (project grade) 50 5%
Game Project (individual grade) 150 15%
Midterm 200 20%
Final Exam 300 30%
Total points 1000 100%
Teaching Methodology:
Lectures, discussions, experiments, and films are used to explain and to supplement the
text. The student is expected to read the material as assigned. It is important for group
work to bring your text to class. It is the student’s responsibility to bring up for
discussion any material s/he does not understand. Please see me for any issues you have
regarding the class.
Tests:
Policy for quizzes NOT exams. You have two quizzes in this class and if you miss one
of the quizzes, the grade you received on the other will be the same minus 10%. To
clarify, if you earned an 80% on exam one, you would earn an 80% on quiz two minus
10%. Therefore, you would earn 70% on the missed quiz. I do NOT drop the lowest
quiz score.

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Please turn off all electronic devices, remove hoods, remove hats or turn them backward,
and clear your desk. If you leave the class during an exam, your test will be considered
over. Anyone leaving electronic devices on will be given a “0” on the test. Please
read the school's plagiarism policy below. Make sure there are no markings on your
desk. Please do not mark on your exams! Make any “reminder” marks on the right side
of your Scantron answer sheet, NOT the exam.
Note that anything presented in class may be on quizzes or exams.
Study guides:
Connect
http://highered.mheducation.com/olc2/dl/866234/PersonalLearningPlanStudentGuide.pdf
Make-up Policy:
NONE. There are NO make-ups for quizzes, exams, or homework for any reason.
Since responsible behavior-including weekly class attendance-is expected of all students,
absence from a scheduled examination is considered an extremely serious matter. Tests
must be taken on the date scheduled.
Classroom Expectations:
As a courtesy to others and respect for the class, please turn off cell phones prior to each
class. Texting is NOT allowed during class time. If I find that you are texting, you
will be dismissed from class for the day and counted absent. If you must have your
cell phone on due to an emergency, please inform me before the start of class. Cell
phones and computers may only be used during the Game Project.
Please raise your hand when you want to speak in class. It is important to give everyone
the opportunity to participate in class.
PLEASE NOTE:
I WILL NOT REMIND YOU WHEN WORK IS DUE. IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO READ YOUR SYLLABUS. REMEMBER NO LATE
WORK IS ACCEPTED.
ASSIGNMENTS
HOMEWORK
I will assign a paper related to the topic we are discussing. You will choose a current
article, 2016-2019, and write a two-paragraph of analysis (five sentences each). No
quotes please.
In the first paragraph describe what you read in your own words. In the second paragraph
write about your thoughts on the article.
Work must be stapled together with your paper first and your article second. Please
three-hole punch. Format: 1.5-spaced paper, one-inch default margins, Times New
Roman, 12-point type.

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It is your responsibility to attend class to obtain homework assignments. If you miss
class, do not email me concerning the assignment.
Your grade is determined by following the directions of the assignment, proper grammar
and spelling, formatting and your analysis of your article. Total articles due: 10
Each article is worth 20 points:
Following directions of assignment: 2
Proper grammar and spelling: 2
Formatting and neatness: 2
Excellent description paragraph one: 7
Excellent analysis paragraph two: 7
GROUP NOTEBOOK
Your group will place all work in one three-ring binder. Add a divider for each group
member. Your final notebook will include:
1. Each group member’s homework
2. In class work
3. Sign in sheet for in class work
All assignments will be announced and discussed further in class.
Week 5, Due 8/21 The Game Project
Your group will create an original game. The key requirement is that your game - -
which can be entirely unique or modeled after an existing game e.g., Jeopardy, Trivial
Pursuit-should be designed so that advancement or success in the game is dependent on
knowledge of psychological concepts covered in the course.
Design the game for up to 8 players, and so that it takes approximately 15-20 minutes to
play. The games must also include all props needed to play (e.g., dice, cards, board,
scoring sheets, etc.). The last day of class we will have a game day in which students get
an opportunity to play one another's games. This will be a fun way to review for the final
exam.
Grading: You will be graded according to your individual participation in the project by
your group members, yourself and by me. Each group will also be graded on the quality
of their game.
Accommodations
If you are a student with a disability and require classroom accommodations, and have
not contacted SSD, do so in a timely manner. SSD is located in the Student Services
Annex, Room 175 or call SSD at (818) 947-2681 or TTD (818) 947-2680, to meet with a
SSD counselor. If SSD has already sent the memo to instructor confirming
accommodations required by student for this class, please meet with me to discuss
arrangements.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available! Call (818) 947-2412. Go to the Financial Aid Office in the

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new Student Services Center, first floor. For more info:
http://www.lavc.edu/financialaid/index.htmlindex.html.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the use of others’ words and/or ideas without clearly acknowledging their
source. When you incorporate those words and ideas into your own work, you must give
credit where credit is due. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered
academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Anyone found to be plagiarizing or cheating on
assignments (e.g., copying or giving answers, using ‘crib’ sheets, etc.) will (1) receive a
zero (fail) on the assignment, and (2) be referred to the Vice President of Student
Services for further disciplinary action, following due process. For further information on
plagiarism, go to the Writing Center website (www.lavc.edu/WCweb/plagiarism.html)
and refer to the STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY
ACTION in the current Schedule of Classes and Catalog.
Statement for Student Success
Student success depends in part on a clear definition of one’s goals and objectives.
LAVC’s Student Success webpage has a number of checklists and resources to assist in
identifying and clarifying your options. http://www.lavc.edu/success
Tentative Schedule
(subject to minor changes at my discretion)
Week Reading Assignments due Thur.
1
July 15
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: The Self
Chapter 3: Social Beliefs
2 Homework due 7/22
2
July 22
Chapter 4: Behavior
Chapter 5: Genes
Chapter 6: Conformity
Quiz 1-4, 7/25
3 Homework due 8/5
3
August 5
Chapter 7: Persuasion
Chapter 8: Group Influence
Chapter 9: Prejudice
Midterm 1-7, 8/8
3 Homework due 8/12
4
August 12
Chapter 10: Aggression
Chapter 11: Attraction
Quiz 5-8, 8/15
3 Homework due 8/19

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5
August 19
Chapter 12: Helping
Chapter 13: Conflict
Game Day 8/21
Final 8/22
FINAL
Thursday
August 22
Time 11-1
Final Exam on everything
covered in class.
FINAL
I do not make a habit of reminding you of scheduling. Please come to class prepared.
If you have any questions, please bring them up during class.
Mistakes can happen. Any errors found on the syllabus will be fixed ASAP and
announced in class.
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