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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Social Psychology

Course Title: Department: Instructor: Prerequisites:

Social Psychology Social and Behavioral Sciences / Social Work Michael Thies, M.Ed.   - Vita None

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Required Text
III. Course Objectives
IV. Student Responsibilities
V. Instructor Responsibilities
VI. Assignments and Grades
VII. Evaluation Processes

I. Introduction
This is a foundation level survey course in social psychology designed to provide basic exposure to social psychological issues utilizing the American Juvenile Justice system as a working paradigm. The information of value will run on two tracks: 1. the issues of current juvenile justice; 2. and more importantly, a structured process for examining and managing large complex social issues. The student will be exposed to basic, yet current thinking on critical social/psychological theories, premises, and research by current practitioners, as a representation of the many justice and service fields around the world. The course is designed to be a foundation for the student in any Bachelor of Arts program as an elective for liberal arts program, or an applications course for the student seeking a degree in Psychology or Social Work. The program is in an eight (8) lesson format, presented via Internet.

Note: While this course in using the American Juvenile Justice System as the base paradigm, it does not imply this is for American students only. Quite the contrary, students from all nations are welcome and the curriculum has room for study and sharing across all national boundaries. It is an opportunity to study U.S. models, without the expenses of time and travel.

II. Required Text Online Bookstore * Managing Delinquency Programs That Work, Edited by Barry Glick and Arnold Goldstein, Copyright 1995 by the American Correctional Association ISBN #: 1569910111
* Optional Text: Reframing Organizations, 2nd Edition, Lee Bolman and Terrance Deal, Copyright 1997, by Jossey Bass ISBN #: 0787908215

III. Course Objectives
To provide the student with:
* Knowledge of basic social/psychological issues, principles, and research findings concerning the American Juvenile Justice System;
* Knowledge of various structures to analyzing social/psychological issues, principles, and research in any related application.
* Processes and procedures for applying structures for managing changing forces on current social issues.
* To develop a personal perspective for students with a view for continued study and career ambitions in related and applicable fields

IV. Student Responsibilities
* This is an interactive, e-mail based, course of study. The student will use e-mail a minimum of two times per week (one of the eight course segments will be covered each week). Students are to read the class forum posting daily, if at all possible. Opportunities for class chat discussions will be explored, especially for guest speakers; as well as some limited experimentation in the use of video, as well.
* Use of e-mail includes reading e-mail, responding, up-loading assignments and forwarding then to the instructor.
* Use of the student directory will enable the student to exchange messages with other members of the class.
* The student will complete reading assignments per the posted schedule and complete and forward all written assignments and assessment instruments in a timely manner.

V. Instructor Responsibilities
* The instructor will monitor e-mail on a daily basis, responding as appropriate, as quickly as possible. The quantity of communication and other duties may cause occasional delays in responses.
* Assignments will be evaluated and results communicated within a reasonable time. Comments and suggestions for increasing learning will be part of evaluations and assessments.
* Questions on assignments, suggestions for changes in content or processes, should be addressed to the instructor, who will give due consideration to each, and make such adjustments as are, in his/her opinion, appropriate.

VI. Assignments and Grades
* A total of 100 points will be available for the completion of each of the eight units. The actual number of points received will be a function of the quality of the materials presented in completion of the requirements for the unit.
* There will be two major objective tests, one covering material in the first four units, the second for the final four units. The maximum score for each test will be 100 points.
* The total points possible, then, will be 1000. Letter grades, based on the number of points earned, are:

A B C D E

900 - 1,000 points 800 - 899 points 700 - 799 points 600 - 699 points 599 - and below

General Topics of Units

Unit One

Unit Two

Unit Three

Unit Four

Unit Five

Unit Six

Unit Seven

Unit Eight

First Week

Second Week

Third Week

Fourth Week

Fifth Week

Sixth Week

Seventh Week

Eighth Week

A National Perspective: What Works?

A State Perspective: Applying Theories

A Community Perspective: Organizations and social change

Managing Change and Application of "Force Field Analysis"

Managing & Promoting Social Stability

Inside the Organization, Training and Evaluation of Impact

Participating in a "System"

Application of Research and Academics

VII. Evaluation Processes
Written work will be reviewed for content and correctness of format. Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation and form will be expected. Assignments may be revised and resubmitted one time for re-evaluation for full credit. Notations will be made of participation in e-mail activities; completed assignments submitted on time; assistance to classmates; and appropriate courtesy and etiquette in e-mail operations. Written work is to be received by the instructor no later than midnight of the 'due' date. The student must complete both of the major tests. The responses will be evaluated and rated by the instructor.

Grading is explained in item VI.