Class Information Instructor Information
PSYCH 6205 Helen
C. Harton, Ph.D.
Bartlett 34 Bartlett
2080; 273-2235
F 12-12:50 harton@uni.edu
http://www.uni.edu/harton
Office Hours: M 3-4; WF 11-11:50; whenever
I’m around
Course Information
Course Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, you
should be able to:
1. Evaluate and critique
research in social psychology and other areas;
2. Integrate past literature
to formulate and defend research hypotheses;
3. Interpret research; and
4. Present and defend your
research ideas clearly.
Instructor Course Description: This course is what is often referred to as a
“brownbag” course or series.
Students and faculty from UNI and elsewhere will do presentations of
research broadly related to social psychology. The research projects may be
completed or in progress. Presentations may also take the form of discussions
of research articles or statistical or methodological techniques.
Course Catalog Description: Seminar involving presentations and discussion of
current research in social psychology. May be repeated for maximum of 4 hours
credit. Credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite(s): graduate standing in
psychology (Social Psychology emphasis) or consent of instructor.
Course Policies
Missed Class Policy. You may miss one class for good reason (e.g., illness, conference
presentation), but if you do, you will be required to read and complete written
critiques of three social psychological articles from major journals on the
topic to be discussed that day (about 2 pages each). You can substitute one
related academic talk (online or in person) for one of the articles if you
wish. Summaries must be of at least B+ quality or they will be returned
ungraded. Yes, this assignment might take longer than it would for you to
prepare for and come to class, but the idea is to encourage class attendance.
You’ll get more out of coming to class and actively participating than
you will from just reading articles. These alternative assignments should be
turned in within one week after the class you missed. If you miss class on the
day of your presentation, your presentation will be rescheduled.
Academic Ethics Policy Statement: Students must observe the Academics
Ethics Policy (http://www.uni.edu/policies/301).
You should adequately cite your sources
on PowerPoint slides and in your presentations. You should not use another’s
words on your slides or in your presentation without proper attribution. You
should also only cite primary sources, and make sure that you actually read
those sources.
Diversity and
Inclusion Policy:
It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be
well served by this course, that students’ learning needs be addressed
both in and out of class, and that the diversity that students bring to this
class be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit. It is my intent to present
materials and activities that are respectful of various types of diversity,
including but not limited to gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic
status, ethnicity, race, religion, and culture. Your suggestions are encouraged
and appreciated. Please let me know ways to improve the effectiveness of the
course for you personally or for other students or student groups. In addition,
if any of our class meetings conflict with your religious events, please let me
know so that we can make arrangements for you.
Classroom Civility
Policy: It is
important that we discuss topics calmly and respectfully. We want to have an
open setting where everyone feels free to contribute, where no one tries to
dominate the conversations, and where we all remain open to other’s
ideas. Ad hominem comments are not appropriate.
Credit Hour
Statement: This
course meets the Course Credit Hour Expectation outlined in the Course Catalog.
Students should expect to work a minimum of 2 hours per week outside of class
for every course credit hour. Since this is a graduate course, the expectation
is that you will work approximately 4 hours per week outside of class for every
course credit hour.
Required Readings
One or more readings
(typically a journal article) will be assigned by the speaker at least one week
before each class session. The article or link will be emailed to you by the
speaker.
**Bring the readings to class with you when we discuss
that topic (hard copy or electronic).
Course Elements and Expectations
Participation: Students
are expected to come to and participate in each class session. Participation
entails listening critically and responding to the information presented by
offering helpful suggestions, observations, and critiques. Don’t be
afraid to speak up in class. Participating actively in class will help you
develop important critical thinking skills as well as help you become a better
and more comfortable communicator. There are no bad questions or comments
(although there are off topic ones—try to minimize those). If there is
not good and fairly equal participation, I reserve the right to start requiring
thought papers for each class. These papers would be 1-2 pages of critical
analysis of the material presented.
Readings: One
or more articles or chapters (assigned by the presenter) should be read and
understood by all prior to each session. You should come prepared to discuss
the readings and whatever other topics the speaker addresses. It’s
disrespectful to the speaker to do otherwise (plus, you’re not going to
learn as much or enjoy the discussion as much).
Presentation: Students
are also expected to make at least one presentation per semester. Check with
me at least 2 weeks ahead of time on your planned topic. First year
students should present their first year project sometime in the first year
(i.e., one of the two semesters, but not both), and second year students, their
thesis. Other presentation topics could include research projects that you have
done or are currently working on as well as discussions of areas of research
(e.g., the actor-observer effect, stereotypes of criminals) or
statistical/methodological techniques. Presentations should include some
PowerPoint, but may be more or less formal. They should include a literature
review and must use several scientific references. Students doing presentations
must assign relevant background reading one week before the presentation.
Outside presentations: You will also be asked to attend two research
presentations on campus of your choice. You’ll need to write up a one- to
two-page summary and commentary on the talks you attended (including the
speaker name, ttitle of the talk, date, and location)
and turn it in within two weeks of the talk. You will also discuss the talk and
your reactions to it during exam week. Presentations can be on any topic, but
must describe original research. Check with me to make sure that the
presentations you’re considering will count for this assignment.
Final Grade Determination
Students who participate
effectively, read the assigned articles, give thoughtful, relevant
presentations, and fulfill the other course expectations will pass the course.
If you do not perform adequately in one or more of these areas, you will be
assigned an incomplete until you complete other assignments (as determined at
the time) related to your areas of deficiency. Note that receiving an
incomplete could negatively affect your funding per Graduate College rules.
Course Schedule
Student presentations will be
scheduled and entered on a google doc linked below.
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Fill in your name and topic
on the class spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WEnqMTAnJn3ASXmYQrS5TADl4BSVixlT4xb28Nv02ZA/edit?usp=sharing
Note that you have to be
logged in to gmail through your uni
account for you to see or edit this page!
Resources and University Policy Statements
Counseling Center: UNI’s Counseling Center
is free, confidential, convenient, and effective. It is the mission of the
University of Northern Iowa Counseling Center to
promote the personal development and psychological well-being of all students
and to encourage a college environment that is conducive to growth and
learning. To make an appointment, call 273-2676 (8:00-5:00 M-F). For urgent
situations outside of office hours, call the Counseling Center at 273-2676 and
press 2 to speak to a crisis counselor. Call 911 in case of immediate danger.
The Learning
Center: The
Learning Center @ Rod Library has office hours for assistance with writing,
math, science, and college reading and learning strategies. A graduate
assistant assigned to help graduate students with writing will be in the LC
Mondays and Thursdays from 11-2. You can also schedule appointments with Kat Wohlpart at https://uni.libcal.com/appointments/meetwithkat.
Beginning week two, The Learning Center (TLC) operates on a walk-in basis and
is open 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday for general help. For more
information, go to https://tlc.uni.edu/tutoring, email TheLearningCenter@uni.edu
, call 319-273-6023, or visit the TLC desk located on the main floor of
Rod Library. If you are unable to come in during normal tutoring hours, online
tutoring is available through Smarthinking. You will
need your CATID and passphrase to gain access. To access the Smarthinking platform go to https://tlc.uni.edu/schedule.
Rod Library: Rod Library is here to help, so
take advantage of their services. Need help finding resources for a research
paper? Need to find some information and can’t figure out where to look?
Contact the Rod Library! You can stop by, chat, email, text
or call the library all hours the library is open. www.library.uni.edu/research/ask-us
Need Other
Assistance?: I am happy to help you with class content, program issues,
writing, etc. If you’re a victim of a crime, you can call 1-800-770-1650
to talk to an advocate 24/7 or text IOWAHELP to 20121. If you are experiencing
food insecurity, you can access the Panther Pantry in the lower level of Maucker Union (right of the computer lab) from 12-7pm (til 8 S-Th) for confidential
help. I can also help you locate other resources, but be aware that if you
report certain things to me (e.g., sexual abuse, criminal activity), I may be
required to report it to the university.
Office of Compliance and
Equity Management Statement:
The University of Northern Iowa does not discriminate in employment or
education. Visit 13.03 Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Statement (https://policies.uni.edu/1303) for
additional information.
Student Accessibility
Services Statement: The
University of Northern Iowa (UNI) complies with the
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Fair Housing Act, and other applicable federal
and state laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of
disability. To request accommodations please contact Student Accessibility
Services (SAS), located at ITTC 007 for more information, either at (319)
273-2677 or via email to accessibilityservices@uni.edu. Visit Student
Accessibility Services (https://sas.uni.edu/)
for additional information.