Course Description:

Social Psychology is the study of the factors that influence human interaction and the consequences of human interaction.
The primary theoretical perspective examined in this course is symbolic interactionism. This theory examines how symbolic
communication and interaction shapes our social world, our society, and ourselves. The student will develop an understanding
of the basic tenets of this theory and how to apply these to real life situations. The course will more briefly examine social
exchange theory and attribution theory in order to broaden the student's understanding of human interaction by including
these alternative perspectives. These latter two perspectives will in particular be used to examine justice and fairness in
human interaction.

Course Objectives:

1. To develop a good understanding of the basic propositions and perspectives of symbolic interactionism.
2. To develop a basic understanding of social exchange theory and attribution theory.
3. To use all three theoretical perspectives to understand contrasting concepts of justice and fairness.
4. To be able to apply what has been learned to real-life situations. 
5. To develop a better understanding of themselves and their social word. 

Sociology 1010: Introduction to Sociology

1. The nature of perspective and the symbolic interactionist perspective.
2. Symbols, their meaning and use.
3. The development of self, self-perceptions, and the human mind
4. The self acting and interacting, with an emphasis on self -censorship
5. Symbolic interaction in society, some applications.
6. Erving Goffman and the dramaturgical perspective.
7. An overview of social exchange theory.
8. An overview of distributive justice and some practical applications.
9. Attribution theory and belief in a just world.
    

The student must have a basic knowledge of computers, the Internet, and email. The student's computer must

have Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat reader.

Symbolic Interactionism: An Introduction, An Interpretation, An Integration
Ninth Edition
Joel M. Charon
Prentice Hall
ISBN 0-13-025972-1

An Invitation to Social Psychology

Dale T. Miller
Thompson Wadsworth

0-534-59205-8

The student must have a basic knowledge of computers, the Internet, and email.
The student's computer must have Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat reader, and PowerPoint

90-100 A
80-89   B
70-79   C
60-69   D
00-59   F

• Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
• Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
• Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
• Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
• Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
• Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
• Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

There is an anonymous discussion group to which you can make posts at any time in the course without revealing who you are.
This is for any negative or positive comments you want to make about the course, assignments quizzes, etc.

You are encouraged to participate in classroom discussions.

You are encouraged to participate in classroom discussions.

Regular and punctual class attendance is required. .
I want continual, regular, and active participation in the online portion of the course, just as one would have if one were
going to class on a regular basis. Thus, students must submit essay answers and project reports and take online quizzes
by the end of each module. These are all due by midnight of the last Friday of each module. Students will be allowed
extra time for assignments if they have a legitimate reason for needing extra time. Legitimate excuses are things such
as illness or a death in the family. Job responsibilities, vacations, weddings, other courses, and so forth are not legitimate
excuses.

Students must keep up with the readings and assignments, and complete their work at the required times. It is particularly
important to be conscientious in the projects that require cooperation. I have tried to design the course to be both informative
and enjoyable. Thus students should have fun with the projects and feel free to be creative. While quiz questions and some essay
questions have correct answers, other essay questions and some projects allow you substantial freedom to express yourself.
In these you will be evaluated on effort and thoughtfulness, not whether I agree with you or not.

Contact me an soon as possible with any problems or questions that arise. This can be done by phone or by email.

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by
the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the
instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff
at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff
and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of
the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting
both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.