Social Psychology
F05, F06
Ronald Cohen
This course examines various psychological and sociological perspectives on the person, social interaction, social structure, and the relationships among them. Attention will focus on issues of obedience, disobedience, and authority; social perception and cognition; attributions of causality and responsibility; influence and resistance; social and commons dilemmas; interaction as exchange and performance; and the social consequences of various forms of social organization. Students write four short papers on selected topics, including one that discusses data they have collected.

The class meets for two 80-minute periods each week. Students are expected to attend all classes, to participate in occasional class-based research (both in and outside of class), to complete reading assignments for each class, to conduct research for their papers, and to submit four papers, three of approximately 5 pages and one of 10 pages. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their participation in classroom discussions and the four required papers for the course.