This course is designed to introduce you to the major theoretical perspectives and research traditions of modern social psychology. We cannot cover everything, even topics of contemporary significance, in the kinds of detail that is appropriate for a graduate course. This particular version of the course will emphasize the social cognitive approach, both because of it's current allure in the field but also because it is consistent with major emphases in the graduate program.
Beginning with the third class meeting you will be expected to submit several questions for the readings assigned for class. These questions should be submitted by 6 p.m. the evening before class and will be available to all members of the class. This will be done via a mail list. To subscrive see below. These questions can be about methodological, statistical, or conceptual issues, but they should potentially lead to a research question that addresses an important issue related to the reading. Many of the best ideas for experiments come from criticisms of existing research papers, and while you are not being asked to formulate a research project your question should guide us toward one.
Requirements: You are, of course, expected to attend all meetings of the course and to participate in the discussions.
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One-half of the grade will be based on the quality (and to a lesser extent) the quantity of in-class comments as well as the questions you submit. |
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Half of the grade will be based on a term paper. The topic may be anything that is a part of social psychology (or which, in your opinion should be). The main focus of the paper should be a proposal for two or more related experiments which you think can clarify the issues central to the topic you have chosen. You also, of course, should provide a review of relevant literature that supports the relevance of your research proposals. These papers will be due December 3. |
Reading: Most of the reading will be journal articles and book chapters. The articles will be handed out in class. The two books can be bought at the bookstore or from one of the on-line book retailers.
Reading List Some Useful Links
A huge collection of links to people, departments, organizations,
research areas, software, on-line experiments, and courses can be found at
http://www.socialpsychology.org
A listing of social psychologists with research interests
and links to home pages can be found through the above site.