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Course description

Culture is one of the hottest topics in contemporary social psychology. This course provides an overview of the ways in which cultural influences help shape human social thinking, values, and behavior. The study of culture is inherently interdisciplinary and course materials come from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, evolutionary biology, archaeology, marketing, organizational behavior and political science. Although the course puts an emphasis on how people interpret and act in their cultural environments, the central assumption of this (and any) cultural social psychology is that self and society are inseparably intertwined, resulting in analytically distinct, but interdependent levels of analyses.

Goals

This course has two main objectives. The first is to provide an in-depth examination of important theories and findings pertaining to each research area. The second goal is to develop an appreciation for some of the methodological approaches used in empirical investigations in these areas. To accomplish these goals, the typical reading assignment for each week consists of four papers. At least one of the papers is a chapter or review paper that surveys relevant literature or present a theory on the topic in question. The other papers are primarily original research studies published in peer-reviewed journals.

Format

This course will follow a seminar format. Typically, during the first 45 minutes of class, the instructor will provides some context of the readings for the day. The remainder of class will be open for discussion, and, occasionally, in-class activities. Your active participant is essential to the quality of the course.

Requirements

Reaction papers. This is a tool to make teaching a two-way street. Every participant is required to write weekly reaction papers. The reaction papers should provide a thoughtful elaboration of your ideas, questions, doubts, or concerns concerning the readings. In principle, you are free to write about anything you wish, as long as you observations and thoughts are pertinent to the readings and the topic of the day. On days with multiple readings, it is expect that you integrate at least three of the readings, and on days with three readings you should address two. Otherwise, pick one or two critical questions that you extract from the readings or that you ask of the readings, and either try to provide answers or examine the usefulness of the answers provided. Reaction papers are your chance to bring your own personal research interests and experiences to the course and its material.

It is critical that you argue clearly, support your statements, and present justifications, e.g., for suggested extensions of the present research. The reaction papers should be around one page (single-spaced), with a two-page limit, and should be turned in no later than 3 PM on Tuesday, preferably via email. Although the receipt of reaction papers will be registered, the content will not be graded as such as long as it shows reasonable effort. However, you will receive feedback from me, and frequently questions raised in the reaction papers are discussed in class.

Research proposals. Over the course of the semester, every participant is required to write two research proposals. The first research proposal should focus roughly on the material covered in the first half of the course, whereas the second proposal should focus on the material of the second half. You are free to pick any topic of interest to you, as long as you can argue convincingly how it fits the relevant topics. You are required to provide me with a brief statement of what you are planning on writing about at least one week before the final proposal deadline (earlier submissions are strongly encouraged). Alternatively, you have the option of submitting a first draft of your proposal, on which you will receive extensive feedback aimed at helping you hone your proposal. In any case, you are encouraged to meet with me to discuss your topic of interest and strategies of implementing your research question.

The format of a proposal should resemble the introduction and methods section of an article in the empirical social sciences. There are no length requirements; yet the assumption is that proposals are usually no shorter than 8 and no longer than 20 pages (double-spaced). Use APA style (5^th ed.) or ASA style (4^th ed.) or the style that is used in your home discipline!

The research proposals will be graded based on quality of review of relevant literature, quality of your own analysis and integration of the literature, originality/creativity and quality of writing. (The first two criteria take priority over the second two criteria).

Grading

In-class participation	15%
Weekly reaction papers	15%
Research proposal #1	35%
Research proposal #2	35%
Total	100%

Go to SOC 764 course schedule

Go to SOC 764 supplemental readings