CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK

Department of Psychology
Introduction to Social Psychology PSY 247
Section B/C
Fall 2014
Anthony Betancourt
Day and Time: Monday and Wednesday
Room: NAC 7/236
Email: abetancourt@gc.cuny.edu
Office Hours: (Thursday NAC 7/229 F)

Required Text: Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2010). Social Psychology, 8th
Edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

New copies of this book are available at the CCNY bookstore. If you can find a
cheaper copy of the textbook elsewhere, feel free to get it there
It is possible to use other editions of the book if it is easier and cheaper for you to
do so, however, you will be responsible for missing any information that is in the
new edition.
Course Objectives and About the Class

Course Objectives
After completing this course students should be able to:
1) Understand basic theories in the area of social psychology
2) Apply critical thinking skills (e.g. engaging in logical reasoning; identifying and
considering multiple points of view)
3) Explore connections between research findings and their applications (e.g. apply
social psychological principles to their own lives as well as other social, political
and cultural phenomena)
4) Understand the difference between pseudo-science and science
5) Express yourself through the use of effective, concise, accurate, well thought out
and planned written language.

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Readings
Students are responsible for completing all the assigned readings BEFORE attending
each lecture. Lectures will not cover the entire reading assignments and will focus on
main points. Thus, it is each students responsibility to be familiar with all the concepts
and examples that are covered in the book as they will show up on the term tests.
Notes:
Each lecture is accompanied by Power Point slides. However, students should not solely
focus on these slides and are encouraged to take their own notes. Power Point slides will
be posted on Blackboard before each lecture.
Blackboard
Course material (Syllabus, Power Point slides, etc.) will be available on Blackboard.
Additionally, all important announcements will be posted there and students are
responsible for checking them on a regular basis.
Office Hours and emails
If you need to make an appointment with me you can do so through email or speak with
me before or after class. The best way to reach me is by email
(abetancourt@gc.cuny.edu). I will try to answer your emails within 24 hours of receiving
them. All correspondence should be professional and grammatically correct. Make sure
that you include your first and last name at the end of each email. All other e-mails will
be ignored.
All students have to make sure that their correct and activated CUNY email address is on
Blackboard and that they check their emails on a regular basis. Students experiencing
technical difficulties should contact the Help Desk in NAC building.
Missing any information that is communicated by email or Blackboard is the students
responsibility.
Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require
that individuals with disabilities not be subjected to discrimination. Academic
accommodations and policy modifications are provided only if not having the
accommodation would result in discrimination. Student accommodations, support
services, and academic adjustments are coordinated by The Office of Student Disability
Services (SDS) for qualified students with disabilities. SDS is located in the North
Academic Center 1/218.
Cell Phone Policy
I understand that we all have busy lives. Having said that, please do not text during class.
It is disruptive to those around you. If you need to be available for an important call,
please be discreet about it, put the phone on vibrate, and step out quietly. I will not police
you. Please be considerate of your classmates and respect your own education.

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Academic Dishonesty
Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course in any guise. Dishonesty includes, but is
not limited to, (1) plagiarism: using another's words, ideas, or paraphrases and implying
that they are your own; (2) cheating: using hidden notes or examining another person's
responses in order to answer questions on a checkup or test; (3) ringers: having another
person fulfill your assignment (e.g., paper, test, etc.). To help you in understanding what
plagiarism is and how to avoid it, please read the guide provided by CUNYs provost,
dean, and student affairs offices:
Evaluation (How you get your grade)
Exams: There will be three exams consisting of multiple choice, matching, fill in the
blank questions and will cover material from lectures, readings, and in class activities.
THERE IS NO MAKEUP DATE FOR MISSED EXAMS. I will drop your lowest of
your three exam scores. Your two best out of three exams will make up 60% of your
grade.
Paper: There will be one paper, which will be 45 double spaced pages in length (6
maximum). You will have the option to submit and revise your paper. See paper
guidelines for details. The paper will make up 35% of your final grade.
Extra Credit Paper: There will be one extra credit paper that can earn you up to 7
points towards your final grade, which will be 45 double spaced pages in length (6
maximum). You will have the option to submit and revise your paper. See paper
guidelines for details. The paper is worth up 5 points towards your final grade.
Attendance: Attendance is important and necessary. I will keep a record of your
attendance. You are allowed two absences without penalty. Any unexcused absence after
2 will result in a point being taken from your final grade for each absence. If you
accumulate more than four unexcused absences during the course, you will be assigned
a final grade of WU (CCNY policy), which has the same effect on your grade point
average as F. In order for your absence to be excused, you must provide some sort of
documentation (doctors note, police report, etc.).
Participation: Participation in class discussion is vital to an enjoyable and rewarding
learning experience. Contributing to discussions by offering examples of the topics being
covered is important. But its also important to ask for clarification of something you do
not understand. If you have a question, I guarantee someone else in the class does too.
Following the attendance policy and participating constitutes 5% of your final grade.
Evaluation Summary
Exams....60%
Paper..35%
Attendance/Participation.5%
Total = 100%
Grading Scale:

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A+ = 97-100 A = 95-96.9 A- = 90-94.9 B+ = 87-89.9 B = 84-86.9

B- = 80-83.9 C+ = 77-79.9 C = 74-76.9 C- = 70-73.9 D = 60-69.9
F = 59.9 and below
Topic and Course Schedule
Date
8/25
8/27
9/1
9/3
9/8
9/10
9/15
9/17
9/22
9/24
9/29
10/1
10/6
10/8
10/13
10/15
10/20
10/22
10/27
10/29
11/3
11/5
11/10
11/12
11/17
11/19
11/24
11/26
12/1
12/3
12/8
12/10
12/15
12/17
12/22

Chapter Number
Syllabus
Chapter 1
Labor Day
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
No Class
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Review
No Class
Exam
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Review
Exam
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Final Exam

Chapter Description

Exam Chapters

Introduction
Labor Day
Introduction
Research Methods
Research Methods
Social Cognition
Social Cognition
Social Perception
No Class
Social Perception
The Self
The Self
No Class
Exam #1
Justifying our Actions
Justifying our Actions
Attitudes and Attitude Change
Attitudes and Attitude Change
Conformity
Conformity
Group Processes
Group Processes
Review Time
Exam #2
Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal Relationships
Prosocial Behavior
Prosocial Behavior
Aggression
Aggression
Prejudice
Prejudice
Final Exam See Registrar
For Time

No Class

No Class
Ch: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Review Time
Ch: 6, 7, 8, 9

Ch: 10, 11, 12, 13

*** This syllabus is subject to change***

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