SYLLABUS
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~jussim/syl32101s07.html
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go to:
http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~jussim/
click on Teaching
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Principles of Social Psychology, 830:321:01

The 2nd test, originally scheduled for 4/17, has been rescheduled
for 4/19.  I will hold office hours from 11 to 12:30 on Thurs, 4/19.

SYLLABUS
PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
830:321:01
SPRING, 2007
Last updated, 1/16/07
Syllabus is subject to change. 
Changes will be announced in class and posted here.

Professor Lee Jussim
Office: 619 Tillett               Phone: 445-2070
Office Hours: After class and by appointment
I will also hold regular office hours (TBA) around test times.

Class Location: Hill 114 (Busch Campus)
When: Tuesday & Thursday 1:40-3pm. 

WEB PAGE: http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~jussim/
(click on teaching)

TA: Melissa Batista
Office: 221 Busch Psychology Building 
Office Hours: Mondays 12:15-1:30
Email: lissa@eden.rutgers.edu

REQUIRED TEXT:  Myers, D. G. (2008).  Social Psychology (9th edition).  N.Y.: McGraw-Hill.
NOTE: You MUST USE the 9th edition.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Study Guide to Accompany Myer's Social Psychology.
The books will be at the Rutgers Book Store.

TOPICS (the chapters in parentheses should be read by the date on the same line)
1/16 FIRST CLASS

1/23   INTRODUCING SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (CHAPTER 1)

1/25   THE SELF IN A SOCIAL WORLD (CHAPTER 2)

1/30    SOCIAL BELIEFS AND JUDGMENTS (CHAPTER 3)

2/8  BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDES (CHAPTER 4)

2/20  PERSUASION (CHAPTER 7)

2/27 EXAM I (TUESDAY)

3/6   HELPING (CHAPTER 12)

3/10-3/18 SPRING BREAK

3/22  PREJUDICE (CHAPTER 9)

3/29  CONFORMITY AND OBEDIENCE (CHAPTER 6)

4/5   AGGRESSION {& Genocide) (CHAPTER 10)

4/17  EXAM II  (TUESDAY)
The 2nd test, originally scheduled for 4/17, has been rescheduled
for 4/19.  I will hold office hours from 11 to 12:30 on Thurs, 4/19.

4/24   CONFLICT AND PEACEMAKING (CHAPTER 13)

4/26   LAST REGULAR CLASS

5/8  FINAL EXAM, *TUESDAY*, 9-11, Hill 114
(note: 9am, not 8am start time).

GRADING: Two in-class exams (30% each) and cumulative final
(40%).  The in-class exams will have 60 multiple choice questions
each; the final will have 80 multiple choice questions.

Regular Classes
Lectures overlap with the textbook only about 30-40%.  I do not put my
lecture notes on the web. 

Although I will occasionally lecture for the full 80 minutes, there often will be in-class
demonstrations, movies, or guest speakers.  I encourage spontaneous questions, complaints,
arguments and insights, and, as part of my "lecture" style, I will regularly attempt to involve the
class in discussion.

Tests
The tests cover all material presented in the text and in class.  60-80% of the test
questions are from the book; the remainder are from class.
Exam 1: Introduction through Persuasion.  60 multiple choice questions.
Exam 2: Helping, Prejudice, Conformity, Aggression & Genocide (NOT cumulative).  60 multiple choice questions
Exam 3:  CUMULATIVE -- whole semester.  80 multiple choice questions.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EXAM CANCELLATION (this is DIFFERENT
than if you miss an exam -- see below for makeup policy), THE EXAM
WILL BE HELD ON THE NEXT DAY THAT CLASS IS HELD.
For example, class is scheduled for 2/4 and 2/6.  A test is scheduled
for 2/4.  A blizzard closes Rutgers on 2/4.  It reopens 2/5.  The test
will be held on 2/6.

Grading
Combination of absolute and curve.

The absolute portion works as follows:
Guarantee your grade will be no lower than:
A = 180 or above (out of 200 questions, total, across the three tests).
B/B+  = 160 to 179
C/C+ =  140 to 159
  D = 120 to 139
  F = Less than 120 (i.e., less than 60% correct.  Random guessing will
get you 25% correct).

The curve will work as follows:
If too few people score highly, the cutoffs will be lowered.
In the past, the cutoffs for an A have ranged from 170-180;
and the cutoffs for an F have ranged from 110-120.  The cutoff for the
plusses are usually about halfway between the range for that letter.

Extra Credit
There will be many opportunities for extra credit throughout
the semester.  Most students can expect to receive
at least 3-5 points worth of extra credit, merely by
participating in research and taking the exams when they
are given.  Extra credit will also be given for
extensive in class participation (NOT for mere
attendance or talking to me after class), and, possibly,
for special events in class. 

NO EXTRA CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN AFTER
THE FINAL EXAM FOR ANY REASON.

Attendance
I do not take attendance.  In that sense, it is not required.

However, please consider this before skipping many classes.
Let's say you are very smart, and can answer 90% of the
questions from the book correctly.  About 70% of the questions
are from the book.  This, so far, gives you a grade of about 63%. 
And let's further say that you skip most classes.  Therefore, you cannot
possibly answer most of the lecture questions correctly,
except for guessing.  So, let's say you get 30% of the lecture
questions correct.  30% of 30%=9%.  So, your total
score will be somewhere around 70% correct,
(63% + 9%=72%).  Rounding to make it easy,
70% of 200 questions = 140. 
Even if you are really smart, you are headed
for a grade right on the border of C and D, if you
skip many classes.

ZERO TOLERANCE CHEATING POLICY
Cheating will not be tolerated.  Anyone caught cheating will be reported to the dean of their college,
with a recommendation to expel. 

Make up policy.  If you know you are going to miss an exam, let us know, and we will arrange
for you to take a similar multiple choice test *early*.

If you unexpectedly miss an exam, you will be allowed to take the brutal essay makeup
late.  It is not really all that hard, but it is harder than the regular test, which is only fair because
students missing the regular test have had more time to prepare. 

Nonetheless, the grades are routinely quite low on the brutal essay makeup,
perhaps because students who miss a test may differ in important ways from those
who show up for tests.  The mean grade on the brutal essay makeup is about a D. 

Click here to learn more about the social benefits of the brutal essay makeup.

EXTRA CREDIT
This is a scientific research oriented class.  One or more real studies may
be conducted during class, and integrated into the class material.
You will be responsible for understanding them (and may be
tested on them), even if you do not participate.

Participation is entirely voluntary.  However, those who
do participate will receive extra credit toward your final
grade. 


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