COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is a survey course designed to present an overview of the field of social psychology with a specific emphasis on symbolic interaction. In addition to that of basic instruction in the tradition of liberal arts education, the goal of this course is to enable students to better understand their personal lives, identities, and attitudes in relation to the social worlds in which they live.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you should be able to: 

COURSE ORGANIZATION:

This 3-credit hour course will require approximately three hours of direct faculty instruction each week. In addition, you may expect to spend approximately six hours on out-of-class student work for this course each week for approximately 15 weeks. Out-of-class work may include but is not limited to: required reading, library research, experiments/observation, written assignments, and studying for exams. 

EVALUATION AND GRADING:

Class Attendance and Participation: As long as you are healthy, I expect you to be in class. Little symbolic interaction can occur between us if you are not.  To encourage class attendance I will distribute sign-in sheets on randomly selected days. I will also pass out a sign-in sheet if one is requested by class members. Attendance points will be levied based on your attendance on the days the sign in sheets are passed out, and will count for 12.5 percent of the final grade. NOTE: I understand that sometimes things come up in life. As an adult you have to decide what in your life deserves attention at any given time. I do not need to be informed of why you miss class. Excuses do not change the fact that you weren't here and therefore missed out on whatever we were discussing that day. 

Exams: There will be two exams throughout the semester as well as a final exam during finals week. Material for the exams will be taken from the textbook, lectures, films, and class discussion. The two exams during the semester are worth 12.5 percent of the final grade each. The final exam will be comprehensive and worth 25 percent of the final grade.

Assignments. The assignments are short (2-3 pages, typed, double-spaced).  They are either:  a) reactions to readings that I will make available on blackboard or b) reactions to social experiments/observations that you will perform. Each Assignment will be worth 12.5 percent of the final grade.

GRADING SCALE:

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE:

This is a general schedule of quiz dates  and readings to be done in preparation for class.

RESOURCE INFORMATION:

The Writing Center on the Bowling Green campus will have writing tutors available to offer advice to current WKU students on any stage of their writing projects. In-person tutoring is available in Cherry Hall 123 from 9-4 Monday through Friday and in the Cravens Commons (at the horseshoe-shaped reference desk) from 5-9 on Sunday through Thursday evenings. Students may also request feedback on their writing via email or arrange a real-time Zoom conference to discuss a paper. See instructions and how-to videos on the website (www.wku.edu/writingcenter) for making appointments. Walk-in feedback is available unless we are booked up. Students may also get short writing questions answered via email; just put “Quick question” in the subject line to (writingcenter@wku.edu).  

The WKU Glasgow START Center/Writing Center will be offering writing tutoring sessions as well as in person. More information on how to make appointments and what to expect from your appointment will continue to be posted at https://www.wku.edu/startcenter/. 

In compliance with University policy, students with disabilities who require academic and/or auxiliary accommodations for this course must contact the Student Accessibility Resource Center located in Downing Student Union, Room 1074.  The SARC can be reached by phone number at 270-745-5004 [270-745-3030 TTY] or via email at sarc.connect@wku.edu. Please do not request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a faculty notification letter (FNL) from The Student Accessibility Resource Center.

SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY:

The syllabus for any class is a road map. The readings in the course calendar are places we are scheduled to visit.  Anyone who has taken a preplanned road trip or vacation knows that the trip is not fun unless you stop at the interesting roadside attractions even though they might divert from your original route or time table.  It's the process of getting there that is fun and relaxing and intriguing.  In that light, I reserve the right to alter the standards and requirements set forth in this syllabus at any time. Notice of such changes will be by announcement on Blackboard and/or by email notice.

ADD/DROP DATES:

Last day to add a full semester class: Monday, August 30

Last day to drop a full semester class without receiving a grade: Monday, August 30.

Last day to receive any refund for the Fall semester: Monday, September 13.

The 60% point of the Fall semester: Wednesday, October 27.  

Last day to drop a class with a W: Monday, November 1

Last day to remove an incomplete from Spring or Summer terms: Friday, November 12

Roster freeze date (No late adds or withdrawals for extenuating circumstances will be processed after this date): Friday, December 3

Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. Persons violating the Student Code of Conduct (in particular but not limited to the section on academic conduct) in any assignment or exam in this class will receive a minimum penalty of a grade of zero (0) for the assignment, and may receive an "F" for the course at the instructor’s option.  In particular, no form of academic misconduct will be tolerated (see https://www.wku.edu/studentconduct/process-for-academic-dishonesty.php.) Know your Regulations!