Topics in Social Psychology (489-0-1)

Topic

The Self

Instructors

Wendi L Gardner
847/491-4972
Swift Hall 203

Meeting Info

Swift Hall 210: Wed 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

This course will focus upon social psychological research and theory concerned with the self and issues of identity. This course will focus predominantly on the ‘citation classics' with a few current readings and crucial updates. When you leave the course, you will have gained a useful ‘outline' of the basic issues, core questions, and classic theories concerning the study of the self, including issues related to the self-concept and self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-regulation, self-presentation and the self within groups. As this course is a seminar, much of class time will be spent in discussion. Each week will start with a brief lecture, to place the papers/issues in historical context. This will be followed by a student discussion team who will then lead the rest of the class. Discussion leaders should come prepared to raise issues and themes that stimulate discussion, organized around the weekly readings and the discussion questions submitted by their classmates.

Evaluation Method

Grading will be based upon the quality of class discussion/discussion questions (30%), the quality of the three reaction papers (30%), and the final research proposal (40%).

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-requisite: Student must be part of the Psychology PhD program to enroll.