BCSC 185: Syllabus

Spring 2022

Time & Location

Monday & Wednesday: 9:00 – 10:15 am
Dewey 2110D

Personnel

Instructor: Jeremy Jamieson
Email:

Graduate TA: Karishma Singh
Email:

Office Hours: by appointment

Course Overview & Objective

Social cognition combines classic theories from social psychology, decision science, and affective science with methods from psychology and neuroscience to study how people make sense of each other and the world. In this course, we will examine how the social environment influences cognitive processes such as attention, heuristics, and appraisals, and how these processes in turn affect decisions, behaviors, and health.

The main objective of this course is for you to think actively about the material—that is, to critically evaluate scientific research and theories and draw connections between the topics that you will learn about. This will entail learning basic scientific facts about how the brain and body works and interpreting primary source research articles.

Course Materials

We will not use a textbook. Each week you will be assigned to read journal articles covering that week’s topic. Each class we will review basic concepts, definitions, and clarify how the readings relate to the day’s topic. Reading scientific articles can be challenging, but I hope that this approach will prove rewarding as you will learn about social cognition directly from the source – the researchers themselves. This “unfiltered” view will allow you to draw your own conclusions about the topics. If you would like additional background information or readings on any of the topics during the semester, please ask Prof. Jamieson. You may also borrow social cognition, cognitive psychology, and/or biopsychology textbooks from Prof. Jamieson if you would like additional background information.

Organization

The class will be lecture-based, but there is a significant participation component that will be reflected in the course grade. Each class, you will be required to come up with one discussion topic, question, or critique for each article. The last ~15-20 min of class will be devoted to discussing the readings. If nobody volunteers, I will choose a student to provide a discussion topic at random. Moreover, I may ask you to pass in a summary of your discussion topics, questions, and/or critiques that would count towards your final course grade.

Grading

Exams (350 pts): 4 exams total (3 in-class exams plus the Final)

• Each in-class exam is worth 100 points.
• The Final exam is worth 150 points.
• The lowest in-class exam will be dropped. The Final cannot be dropped.
• In-class exams will not be cumulative, but the Final will be.
• Material will be drawn from lectures, discussions, and readings.

Class participation (50 pts)

• Participation points will be allocated based on engagement with material and contributions to in-class discussions.
• Attendance will not be formally taken, but excessive absences will be reflected in your participation grade.

Total points: 400

Class Policies

Exams are scheduled in advance and attendance is expected. Because you may drop one exam, no make-up exams will be given.

You may participate in SONA research (8 hours) or complete an alternate assignment: A shortreport format scientific paper that includes a literature review, analysis of a problem, and presentation of results/ideas. Completion of either extra-credit assignment will be worth 3 points towards your final grade (e.g., an 85 (B) would become an 88 (B+).

Grade appeals may be made if you feel strongly that your grade on a test was unfair or mistaken. You must provide a written appeal within one week of receiving your grade, describing 1) the item in question, and 2) your reason(s) for appealing. Prof. Jamieson will review your appeal and make a final determination. If you read the syllabus, please email Prof. Jamieson telling him which great lake is the deepest. The first student to respond correctly will receive a two point bonus to their final grade.

COVID-relevant policies

The course is meant to be participatory. One learning goal is to actively engage with, respond to, and present perspectives on course topics that arise during discussions. Thus, the preferred method of attendance is in-person once we are permitted to do (i.e. February 1, 2022). If you cannot attend class due to a COVID exposure/positive test, please let Prof. Jamieson know.

Special Needs

Students with special conditions as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act who need test or other course materials furnished in an alternate format should notify Prof. Jamieson as soon as possible.