This course is fully online with no synchronous meetings.
This course focuses on the scientific study of social factors which influence individual and group behavior. It includes social perception, social interaction, and social influence. Some sections of this course are taught in the computer lab; computer literacy skills are recommended. AAS: Social and behavioral science elective.
Course Alignment
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Critical Thinking
Faculty Contact Information
I am here to support you on your educational journey in the classroom and beyond. I generally come to class early and stay a little later to address any questions or concerns students might want to ask outside of class. I am also available to respond to questions or concerns by email, phone, Zoom, or in person appointment.
If you’d like to schedule an appointment for a call, Zoom, or in my office (L325), the best way to reach me is by email (cstevenson@kcc.edu).
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Apply psychological concepts to the real world.
- Understand the dynamics of a relationships.
- Understand gender differences in communication.
- Understand the origin and consequences of prosocial behavior.
- Understand the origins of aggression.
- Understand how attitudes are formed.
- Understand the dynamics of persuasion.
- Uderstand the dynamics of conformity, compliance and obedience.
- Understand social psychology in the legal setting.
- Understand group behavior.
- Understand environmental behavior
- Critically evaluate research methods & their ethics.
- Understand various theories of intelligence.
- Understand how perceptions of formed.
- Understand how prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes are formed.
- Understand how one defines themselves.
- Apply social psychology to health & wellness.
- Understand how one learns & can modify behavior
- Understand the dynamics of attraction.
- Research Methods
- Social Self Perception
- Social Cognition
- Person Perception
- Attitudes
- Persuasion
- Social Influence
- Group Processes
- Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
- Aggression
- Altruism
- Intimate Relationships
Myers, D. & Twenge, J. (2025). Social Psychology, 14e. McGraw Hill.
An electronic textbook is included in the course. A printed copy may be ordered for $25.
Grading Scale
A 90% 459 points
B 80% 408 points
C 70% 357 points
D 60% 306 points
F < 60%
Graded Criteria
Discussions (10 pts each) 120 points
Assessments (50 pts each) 200 points
Reflections (20 pts each) 80 points
Quizzes (10 pts each) 110 points
_________
510 points
Discussions
Although we will not be meeting face-to-face, class discussion is still a very important part of this class. Each week’s discussion will be conducted via discussion board in Canvas. Each unit has at least 2 discussion questions based on the assigned readings and course content. You are responsible for posting your own answer or ideas to one the discussion questions. It is important that all postings show an understanding of the assigned readings and the psychological theories, as well as your personal opinion. You can earn up to 10 points for each response based on the depth of your answer. Late DQs will not be accepted. An additional bonus point will be awarded for substantial responses to classmates. The lowest discussion score will be dropped.
Quizzes
There will quizzes for each unit that are to be completed by the end of each week. Quizzes will be taken through McGraw Hill Connect. Late quizzes will receive half credit unless arrangements have been made prior to the due date or you have a documented emergency. The lowest quiz score will be dropped.
*If you require additional time due to an accommodation through the Office of Disability Services, please contact me at the beginning of the semester so that I can make alternative testing arrangements.
Reflections
There will be four writing assignments due the same week as the assessments reflecting upon the application of course material. Papers should be written using MS word or a comparable program and uploaded into the appropriate submission box in Canvas. Directions will be supplied prior to the due date.
Assessments
Guided exercises will be provided at assessment checkpoints throughout the term. Detailed instructions will be provided.
Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700
Plagiarism
Plagiarism, is defined in section 16.2 of the Code of Conduct: “Representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own. Plagiarism includes claiming credit for assignments completed by someone else.” All instances of intentional plagiarism on any major assignment for this course will lead to the immediate failure of the course with no opportunity for the student to withdraw. The instance of plagiarism will be reported to the Dean of Student Development. If the student has a second instance of plagiarism reported to the Dean of Student Development, the student may be suspended from the institution.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI programs can serve as helpful tools in the learning process. However, they cannot be used as a substitute for writing. Acceptable uses of AI for this course include assistance with grammar, spelling, and writing mechanics. However, using AI to generate content for a paper, assignment, or discussion post is considered plagiarism and is not appropriate use. Such use will result in, at minimum, a zero for the assignment without opportunity for resubmission, and may result in failure of the course.
Any use of AI must be properly referenced in the References. This source can provide guidance: https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/how-to-cite-chatgpt
Additionally, the chat input and output must be included in an Appendix.
Attendance:
Regular attendance is expected in accordance with college policy. If at midterm, you are not making satisfactory progress toward completing this course, then you may be administratively withdrawn from the course.
Late Assignments
All assignments and discussion are expected on the due date assigned. Should unusual circumstances arise that delay your work, you may turn in your paper up to one week late with a deduction of a full letter grade for that assignment. After one week, the assignment may not be accepted unless unusual and unavoidable circumstances warrant an additional exemption. Late case studies are not accepted. Only two assignments may be submitted late. All late assignments must be submitted prior to the week of finals; no late work will be accepted during finals week.
Writing style: The official writing style for the course is APA Style. See Purdue Owl for a helpful resource.
All coursework must be typed unless otherwise noted. Abbreviations such as those used when texting (i.e., “u” instead of “you”) are NOT appropriate and work containing such abbreviations will not be graded. Instead, it would be returned to you for corrections, and you will immediately lose one letter grade for that assignment. Once you have made corrections, you may turn in the assignment for grading. You will lose an additional letter grade for each week the assignment is late.
Contacting the instructor: E-mail is the best way to contact me. I usually check my e-mail several times a day and strive to get back to messages within 24 hours. However the response time is lengthened to 48-72 hours over the weekend. Please use your KCC email account to email me as any other account might be flagged as spam and not delivered.
If you have read to this point of the syllabus and would like extra credit, use your KCC student email to send me a picture of your favorite animal to cstevenson@kcc.edu no later than by beginning of the second class. Please be sure to include which class the class number (PSYC 2773 010) in the subject line.
| Week | Dates | Topic | Assignment |
| 1 | 06/01 – 06/07 | Welcome Research Methods Comparing various methods Data Collection
Ch. 2: The Social Self | Read Ch 1 Post to Intro Discussion by Wednesday DQ and Quiz by 11:59pm Sunday Read Ch 2 DQ and Quiz by 11:59pm Sunday |
| 2 | 06/08 – 06/14 | Ch 3 & 4: Social Cognition Schemas, Intuition, and Heuristics Reflection and Assessment
| Read Ch 3&4 Quizzes for 3 and 4 DQ (only one) by 11:59pm Sunday Reflection and assessment due by 11:59pm Sunday |
| 3 | 06/15 – 06/21 |
Ch 5: Genes, Culture, and Gender
Ch 6: Conformity Social Roles, and Obedience
| Read Ch 5 DQ and Quiz by 11:59pm Sunday Read Ch 6 |
| 4 | 06/22 – 06/28 | Ch 7: Persuasion
Reflection and Assessment | Read Ch 7 DQ and Quiz by 11:59pm Sunday Reflection and assessment due by 11:59pm Sunday |
| 5 | 06/29 – 07/05 | Ch 8: Group Influences What are Groups? Help and Hindrance Ch 9: Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
| Read Ch 8 DQ and Quiz by 11:59pm Sunday Read Ch 9 DQ and Quiz by 11:59pm Sunday |
| 6 | 07/06 – 07/12 | Ch 10: Aggression Factors that Contribute towards Aggression Reducing Aggression
Reflection and Assessment
| Read Ch 10 Quiz DQ by 11:59pm Sunday Reflection and assessment due by 11:59pm Sunday |
| 7 | 07/13 – 07/19 | Ch 11: Intimate Relationships
Ch 12: Helping and Prosocial Behavior Ch13: Peacemaking | Read Ch 11 DQ and Quiz by 11:59pm Sunday Read Ch 12 & skim 13 Quiz due Sunday |
| 8 | 07/20 – 07/24 ***Note: 8 week classes are shortened, and final grades are due to the Registrar on Friday. This means all exams and assignments MUST be in by Friday night. No exceptions! | Applied Social Psychology Social Psych in the Courtroom, Workplace, and Environment
Reflection and Assessment |
Skim Chapters 14-16 DQ due by 11:59 Friday No quiz
Reflection and assessment due by 11:59pm Friday
|
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.