Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination         

Course Description: This course provides a board overview of the variables which influence the social psychological development, adjustment, coping strategies, and mental health of ethnic minority groups in the United States. This course explores stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination from social scientist research of psychological behavior. Historical, economic, educational, political, and legal issues are analyzed for their psychological impact on these groups and belief patterns associated with stereotyping, development of prejudice and discrimination behaviors. Class will examine prejudice and discrimination as aspects of consciousness and behavior and conditions for attitudinal change. Finally, this course will examine the self-image, self-concepts and self-perceptions of selected non-majority groups as they are derived from the environments described above. 

Required Text/Materials:
The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination by Whitley Jr. and Kite, 1th Edition (ISBN: 0-534-64271-3)
A valid email address
Additional Readings as assigned for each chapter in the textbook and on Websites
Computer access to Internet: Log on to course Forum Website is required.
                       WEBAccess

Method of Presentation:
This course will be based upon a blended learning model. This model represents a balance between on-campus instruction and the use of computer-internet-based assignments and activities to facilitate student learning.

1. Lectures
2. In-class group activities
2. Group presentations
3. Power Point Slides, Videos, Guest Speakers
4. Internet-based chapter assignments
5. Forum for posting discussion

Course Requirements:

1. Library and Learning Center Orientations: There will be two orientations required for you to attend in order to complete assignments and online test for this course. The class will meet in the designated location on dates scheduled. The dates are as follows:

2. Examinations. There will be three examinations scheduled during the semester. Exams will be taken on-line in the Learning Resource Center monitored by the instructor. Each exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions. The examine dates are as follows;

Exam 1         Chapters 1-4      Septemtber 21
Exam 2         Chapters 5-8      October 26
Exam 3         Chapters 9-12    November 30   

3. Group Presentation/Reports: Assigned Dates

(a) All students are required to join a group. Student groups are self selected unless number of students exceed limit for group size. Groups will consist of 3 to 5 students (If class enrollment permits).

(b) Group class presentations will consist of at least 20 minutes of presentation and 5 to 10 minutes of questions and answers (to be further discussed in class).

(c) Group Report is a collaborative effort involving all members of the assigned group. The report is to be double spaced, 12 pt. font using APA (American Psychology Association) style writing format. Click on the link for more information on how to follow APA style. APA

(d) Each member of a group is responsible for submitting an individual reflective journal of group activities. Any member of the group who does not submit a reflective journal (diary of group activities) will not receive credit for the whole group assignment.
Guidelines for preparing the group report. Click here

4. Online Assignments: Each week assignments will be posted online. Web Access FORUM the discussion board           for Psyc 106 is the discussion board developed for posting responses to weekly chapter discussion questions.           There will be 12 chapter postings required. To access the chapter discussion and question for the week, go           to the course schedule below for a listing of the chapters and dates. Access to each chapters' assignment will be           available on the week it is assigned.
         Assignments are due Friday, 12 Midnight of the week assigned. Assignments submitted after due date will not          be accepted. You can access the WebAccess Forum by clicking here   or go to each chapters'          assignment page.

5. Final:

(a) The final exam will be an online exam
(b) The final exam will consist of 75 multiple choice questions and one essay       question

FINAL EXAM    Chapters (1-12)     December . 19  11:10-1:40 PM   
* Note: Failure to complete final examination will result in a failing grade for the course.

6. In-class assignments: One class meeting a week students can present an article from a journal, magazine,          newspaper or internet source on a topic relevance to the class lecture assigned for that week and received          points. You are to write a one paragraph summary of the articles and attach a copy of the article to the one page          summary if appropriate from your source.. The summary is to be word processed and include your name, date          and chapter reference. Students will be chosen at random to make a 5 minute presentation on their article.

7. Class participation: Students are expected to participate in class discussions and lectures. Class participation will          be factor into students total grade.

Grading Rubric

Course Objectives:

1. To become familiar with the liabilities and assets of so-called minority (ethnic/racial) groups in America.

2. Understanding the relationships among sterotyping, prejudice, and discrimination

3. Assessment theories and research studies of prejudicial attitudes as they relate to race, gender, and skin color.

4. To evaluate different racial experiences in this country and tie-in the importance of these experiences with cultural pluralism.

5. To understand how how prejudice develops in children

6. To examine the validity of testing (philosophy purpose, procedures and relevancy) social problems as related to behaviors of prejudice and discrimination.

7. To understand the nature of discrimination and its relations to prejudice and examine ways to deducing prejudice and discrimination.

Important Policies:

1. The student takes sole and complete responsibility for withdrawing from this course. Refer to the college catalog for official withdrawal procedures.

2. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. If you come to class late, it is your responsibility to let the Professor know at the end of that class you are present. (Refer to page 34 of the college catalog for the policy on attendance.)

3. All examinations must be taken at the regularly scheduled times. Communicate with the professor before exam about problems. There are no make up examinations.

4. Students who are disruptive in class will be immediately asked to leave class
immediately and receive permission from the Professor to return to class. (Refer to page 6 of the college catalog for the policy on student conduct)

5. The professor will retain all exams, papers, and records of cumulative points for six weeks into the succeeding semester, if the student wishes to question their course grade. After that period all material will be discarded.

6. TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES & PAGERS UPON ENTERING THIS CLASS.

Semester Schedule:

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