University of Canberra

Division of Health, Design & Science

School of Health Sciences
Psychology 305G: Social Psychology - 6111
Unit Outline 2005 Semester Unit

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University of Canberra
Division of Health, Design & Science
School of Health Sciences
Psychology 305G: Social Psychology - 6111
Unit Outline 2005 Semester Unit

This Unit Outline must be read in conjunction with:

a) Studying at the University of Canberra: A Guide to Policies and Procedures, which sets out
University-wide policies and procedures, including information on matters such as plagiarism,
grade descriptors, moderation, feedback and deferred exams, and is available at
http://www.canberra.edu.au/secretariat/uo-guidepol.html

b) Any additional information specified in section 6e.

c) Guide to Student Services at the University of Canberra, and is available at
http://www.canberra.edu.au/secretariat/uo-guideserv.html

1.

General Information

1a

Unit title: Psychology 305G: Social Psychology

1b

Unit number: 6111

1c

Semester and year offered: Semester 2, 2005

1d

Credit point value: 4

1e

Unit level: 3

1f
Name of Unit Convener and contact details:
James Neill, 3B32, james.neill@canberra.edu.au, 6201 2653
Consultation Time: Tues 11:30 am to 12.30 pm (after lecture)
1g
Administrative contact details:
Chelsie Hyland, 3B25, chelsie.hyland@canberra.edu.au, 6201 2653
1h

School: School of Health Sciences

1i

Division: Division of Health, Design and Science

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2:

Academic Content

2a
Unit description and learning outcomes
This subject aims to provide a broad introduction to the field of social psychology. It will
cover key theoretical developments in the field, research methodologies and applications to
current social issues. Topics to be covered include history of social psychology,
methodologies, attitudes and behaviour, social cognition, group processes, social influence,
prejudice and stereotyping, and applied social psychology.
On completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate a familiarity with the
key theoretical concepts in social psychology; apply social-psychological theories to
understanding a range of human social behaviour; design studies which test socialpsychological principles and use the research methodologies of social psychology.
2b
Prerequisites and/or co-requisites
Psychology 101 and Psychology 102

3:

Delivery of Unit and Timetable

3a

Delivery mode: On campus (13 x 2 hour lectures & 10 x 2 hour tutorials)

3b

Schedule of topics/lectures/tutorials/practicals/field classes by week

Week
1

4:
4a

Lecture

Tutorial

Introduction

NO TUTORIAL

Self & Attribution

Tutorial 1

Aggression in the Human Animal

Tutorial 2

Prejudice & Discrimination

Tutorial 3

Relationships

NO TUTORIAL

Groups

Tutorial 4

Cognition & Influence

Tutorial 5

NO LECTURE

NO TUTORIAL

NO LECTURE

NO TUTORIAL

10

Altruism & The New Social Psychology

Tutorial 6

11

Language & Social Constructionism

Tutorial 7

12

Attitudes & Attitude Change

Tutorial 8

13

Gender & Culture

NO TUTORIAL

14

Intergroup Behaviour

Tutorial 9

15

Overview

Tutorial 10

Unit Resources
Lists of required texts/readings

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All readings will be provided electronically. Please keep up to date by obtaining relevant
readings each week. It is your responsibility to obtain the readings. Readings will typically
be available from the Thursday prior to the corresponding lecture.
4b

Materials and equipment: None

4c
Unit website: WebCT. Access to this website is a requirement for students enrolled in
this unit.

5:
5a

Assessment
Assessment overview

Assessment Item (including exams held in the

exam period)
Essay (outline)
Essay
Tutorial Engagement & Contribution
Final Exam
5b

Due Date of
Assignments
Wk 7: Thu 1/9
Wk 15: Tue 25/10
During tutorials
Exam Period

Weighting
(total to equal
100%)
5%
40%
5%
50%

Details of each assessment item

Essay (outline) (5%)

A choice of essay topics will be provided in Week 1. Please provide an outline of your
planned response to the essay question (max. 1000 words) which should include a title, 150
word overview, bullet-point outline of headings, sub-headings and major points (with relevant
citations), and an annotated bibliography of major references. APA format should be used.
Detailed marking criteria will be made available electronically.
Essay (40%)
Please provide a 2,500 to 3,000 word essay which is to be based on your outline and the
feedback received on your outline. A list of possible topics will be provided electronically.
The essay should be a substantial piece of academic writing which formulates an informed
response to a social psychological issue. Theory, research and critical argument are important
components. At least 20 relevant citations, preferably from peer-reviewed publications should
be used. APA format should be used. Detailed marking criteria will be made available
electronically.
Tutorial Engagement & Contribution (5%)
Tutorials will involve a variety of opportunities to actively engage in social psychological
experiences. To the extent to which you engage with the activities and discussions, greater
learning about social psychology is likely to occur. Your level of active engagement and
contribution to tutorial classes will be rated by your tutor at the end of semester. Detailed
marking criteria will be made available electronically.
Final Exam (50%)
The final exam will test your knowledge of social psychology as presented during the lectures
and associated readings throughout semester. The format will consist of multiple choice and
short-answer questions. Detailed marking criteria will be made available electronically.
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5c
Special assessment requirements
To pass this subject students must complete ALL assessment items, achieve an OVERALL
mark of at least 50% and not miss more than two lab/tutorials (unless a medical certificate or
other appropriate reason is provided).
5d

Supplementary assessment: Supplementary exams are not available.

5e

PX grades: The PX grade is not available.

6:

Student Responsibility

6a
Workload
The amount of time you will need to spend on study in this Unit will depend on a number of
factors including your prior knowledge, learning skill level and learning style. Nevertheless,
in planning your time commitments you should note that for a 3cp Unit the total notional
workload over the fifteen week semester is assumed to be 150 hours or an average of 10 hours
per week. These hours include time spent in classes. The total workload for Units of different
credit point value should vary proportionally. For example, for a 6cp Unit the total notional
workload over a fifteen week semester is assumed to be 300 hours or an average of 20 hours
per week.
6b.
Attendance requirements
Students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials. Students who miss more than two
tutorials without an appropriate excuse may be excluded from the subject (see 5c above).
6c.
Required IT skills
IT skills for searching academic databases, word-processing skills and basic knowledge of
WebCT are required.
6d.

Costs: None

6e.
Additional information:
Urgent or important announcements will be conveyed via email and in lectures. Other regular
announcements will be made via lectures and WebCT.

7:

Authority of this Unit Outline

Any change to the information contained in Section 2 (Academic content), Section 3

(Delivery of Unit and timetable) and Section 5 (Assessment) of this document, will only be
made by the Unit Convener if the written agreement of staff and a majority of students has
been obtained; and if written advice of the change is then forwarded to each student enrolled
in the Unit at their registered term address. Any individual student who believes him/herself
to be disadvantaged by a change is encouraged to discuss the matter with the Unit Convener.

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