Psychology 4650
Group Dynamics
Summer 2009
Instructor: Stephen Smith
Office Hours: MW 3-5pm, Dunlap
Hall Room 202A
Contact Info: e-mail: ssmith@ngcsu.edu
tel. 706-864-1890
Text: Forsyth, D.G. (2009). Group Dynamics. (5th ed.)
Catalog Description: The study of the psychology of small group
behavior. The topics covered include: situational, physical, and personality
factors as they relate to group formation, interaction, and performance.
Goals: The main goal of this course is for you to gain an
understanding of why people join groups, what makes groups successful or
unsuccessful, useful or dangerous, and how to avoid certain problems that occur
in groups.
Methods:
1. Attending lectures, listening
closely, asking questions.
2. Studying for, taking and
reviewing quizzes and exams.
3. Watching films that convey
aspects of group dynamics, and writing papers in which you discuss some of the
relevant concepts.
Attendance Policy: All absences are treated equally, so there is no need to
tell me why you missed, provide physician’s notes, etc. If you want a chance to
make up for missed class participation points, you can do outside work in the
form of reading and summarizing relevant journal articles. Quizzes may be made
up if extreme circumstances arise (a family vacation doesn’t qualify). If you
know you are going to miss a quiz, let me know in advance.
Basis of evaluation:
2-3 page Movie Analysis papers: 30 points x 5 papers = 150 points
Daily participation: 12 days x 5 pts per day = 60 points
Exams: 50 pts x 2 = 100 points
Quizzes: 9 x 10 pts = 90 points
Plus any bonus points earned
A = 360 pts or more
B = 320-359 pts
C = 280-319 pts
D = 240-279 pts
F = < 240 pts
Movie Analysis Papers
Your objective in writing these
papers is not to analyze or critique the movie – it is to apply the course
concepts relevant to the group(s) in the movie. You don’t need to discuss the
story line of the movie – just compare what the research says about group
dynamics to what you observe in the movie, and analyze any discrepancies.
Academic Integrity
All work for this class is to be done individually, unless explicitly stated otherwise by the instructor. Violations will be submitted to the Academic Integrity Council (see pages 81-83 of the Undergraduate Bulletin for information on NGCSU’s academic integrity policies).
Course Schedule
June 22 – introduction
June 24 - chapter 1& 2 quiz – scoring
for movie papers
sample movie paper
June 29 - chapter 3 & 4 quiz; Miracle papers due
July 1 - chapter 5 quiz
July 6 - chapter 6 quiz
July 8 - chapter 7 & 8 quiz; review
for Exam #1; Stand and
Deliver papers due
July 13 - Exam #1 (ch 1-8)
July 15 - chapter 9 quiz; Ocean of Fear papers due
July 20 - chapter 10 & 11 quiz; bonus project
July 22 - chapter 12 quiz; Alive papers
due
July 27 - chapter 13 & 14 quiz
July 29 – bonus quiz (ch. 15 + additional material); review for Exam #2 (ch 9-15); Apollo
13 papers due
July 31– Exam #2 (ch. 9-15); 11:20am-1:20pm
Disabilities and
Accommodations.