Sociology 220
Self in Society
Fall 2003

 Instructor:  Dr. Lee D. Millar Bidwell
Office Phone: 395-2699
E-mail:  lbidwell@longwood.edu
Office:  106D Wynne
Office Hours: MW 8:30 –9:30 a.m.; TR 1:00-2:00 p.m.; and by appointment

 What is worthwhile about studying social psychology?  Certainly there are many men and women who have lived full and productive lives without ever having heard of the subject.  To be sure, social psychology does not provide all the answers one might like to have on hand for the very real business of living.  But if sociological social psychology will not dispel all the mysteries surrounding human beings making their way through their social universe, it can at least light some candles along the way to illuminate some important and sometimes curious phenomena (McCall and Simmons, 1982, Social Psychology: A Sociological Approach, p. 1)

Course Description:  “[This course examines] the interplay of societal forces and self.  Attention is given to such topics as: self in society and society in self; collective behavior; mass movements; public opinion; propaganda and the mass media; group processes; and social psychological aspects of social structure” (1997-98 Longwood College Catalog, p. 238).

 Required Readings:

 Cahill, Spencer E.  Inside Social Life:  Readings in Sociological Psychology and Microsociology (3^rd ed).  Los Angeles:  Roxbury, 2001.

 Myers, David G.   Social Psychology (7^th ed.).  Boston:  McGraw-Hill, 2002.

 Course Objectives: After completing this course, students should: 

1.      understand the distinction between sociological social psychology and psychological social psychology;

2.      be familiar with the theories and research methods commonly used in social psychology; 

3.      understand the applicability of social psychology to their everyday lives and career pursuits; 

4.      understand how behavior and identity are shaped by the interaction between social structure and individual circumstances. 

Course Requirements: Students are expected to read materials before class and participate in class activities and discussions.  In addition to reading and participation, assignments include two essay examinations, two writing projects, and pop quizzes. 

 Grading Scale:

 Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Honor Code.

 Disability Accommodations: Any student who feels that she or he may need accommodations based on a disability should make an appointment to see me during office hours.

Attendance Policy & Etiquette: To encourage regular attendance, I use the Longwood College Attendance Policy found in the Longwood College Catalog.  The policy states that students who miss “10% of the scheduled class meeting times for unexcused absences” [4 class periods] will have their grade lowered one letter grade.  Furthermore, students who miss a “total (excused and unexcused) of 25% of the scheduled class meeting times” [11 class periods] will automatically receive a grade of ‘F.’” I am reasonable about excusing students from class, so if you are ill you need only call me to tell me you cannot come to class. You are responsible for obtaining missed information. I have a much stricter “standard of proof” when exams are scheduled or when assignments are due (see Exams below).  Students who maintain perfect attendance throughout the semester will receive 5 points extra credit.  You should arrive to class on time and be alert and attentive in class.  Turn off your cell-phone before coming into class.

 Exams:  Two exams will be given during the semester, which will contain essay, short answer, and multiple choice questions.  If you miss an exam due to illness you must:  (1) notify the instructor of the illness no later than 24 hours after the exam has been given; (2) provide evidence that you sought medical attention from a health care provider; and (3) make up the exam within one week from the original exam date.  Other extenuating circumstances that prevent you from taking the exam will be considered on an individual basis. 

Quizzes:  Ten quizzes will be given throughout the semester on assigned reading. These quizzes will each be worth 10 points and contain 10 multiple-choice questions.  Students are strongly encouraged to use the electronic study guide accompanying the text to prepare for these quizzes.  Please understand that I am including these quizzes after listening to students over the years who have repeatedly told me that they wanted reading quizzes to keep them motivated to stay abreast of the assigned reading. 

 Social Norm Paper: Students will write a 4-6 page (typed) paper in which they describe the experience of violating a folkway.  In this paper students must (1) describe what folkway they violated and how they did so; (2) describe how others reacted to the violation; (3) explain how they felt violating the folkway; and (4) analyze how the experience can be linked to the following concepts: socialization, social norms, conformity, and social order. 

Remember the assignment is to violate a folkway—not a more or a law (federal, state, local, or campus). Additionally you may not disturb other classes while fulfilling the requirements of this assignment. By the way, all of the above terms will be defined in class. 

The assignment will be graded on organization, clarity and thoughtfulness of the sociological analysis.  The grade on this assignment will be submitted as your mid-semester grade estimate.  The assignment is due the beginning of class Sept. 26. 

“The Extraordinary in the Ordinary” Paper:  One of the objectives of this course is to help students see the applicability of social psychology to their everyday lives and careers.  To assist students in making this connection and to assess whether this objective has been met, students will write a 5-7 page typed paper (double spaced, no smaller than 12 pt. Font, 1” margins) in which they analyze some event that has occurred in their lives or regularly occurs in their life.  This event need not be unusual; it can be very routine.  However, students can write about some unusual event.  You are being asked to step back and see how much social psychology influences our behaviors and the behavior of others.   

The theme of your paper will depend on whether you are analyzing a very common, routine event or an unusual event.  However, all papers should follow this format: 

1. After an opening paragraph, with a statement, students should briefly explain the event;
2. explain how you and others behave/behaved;
3. analyze how you and others knew how to behave (this is where papers will be quite different depending on whether you are describing an ordinary or extraordinary event).  This is the most important part of your paper.  In constructing this portion of your paper, consider these questions.  Is the event “normal” or not?  How do you know it is “normal” or “abnormal”?  What makes events “normal” or “abnormal”?  How did you know how to behave in the situation?  Are there written rules for behavior in this situation?  If so, how do you get them?  If not, how did you know what to do?  What emotions did you experience?  Why did you experience these emotions?  Would this event be experienced/perceived differently if you were a different sex, race, age, size, nationality, religion, etc? Did confusion occur in the event interaction?  If so, why?  If not, why not?  What social cues did you use to know how to interact? 
4. conclude with a summary of how society, in combination with individual personalities, influence our behavior.

You are not expected to answer all of the questions posed above. They are questions to guide your writing.  In your writing you should use as many concepts from the course as you can.  You MUST use the following concepts:  social norms, socialization, identity/self, attribution theory, conformity, and heuristics.

Class Schedule