I. Course Description
We do not live alone. Our world is full of a variety of cultures and contexts, and it is important to be able to work, live, and exhibit Christlikeness with those who are both similar and different from us.
This course explores the psychological principles of how individuals perceive, influence, and relate to one another. Students will develop emotional intelligence, an appreciative and critical awareness of diverse cultures, and the ability to work cooperatively with groups. A key focus is placed on exhibiting Christlikeness when engaging with those who are both similar and different from ourselves in various vocational contexts.
As you progress through your journey in Kairos, you will know you have completed this outcome when you and your mentor team have determined that you demonstrate emotional intelligence in personal and organizational settings, the ability to work with diverse groups of people in a cooperative fashion, and an awareness and understanding of cultures other than your own.
II. While progressing toward the goal of this outcome, you will typically:
– Discern critical appreciation for those different from you;
– Distinguish the communication strategies that are appropriate for individuals both inside and outside of your community of faith;
– Develop ways to communicate the Bible and theology in a vocational context.
Areas of Focus: In this outcome, you will focus on…
– Content related to how working with others is understood in your tradition, context, and vocation. Often students discover new vocabulary and frameworks concerning
contextual awareness and competency and encounter traditions and contexts other than their own;
– Character related to the markers of exemplary character in your context and vocation, humility in your practice, your posture when engaging with the other, and valuing the ways in which you can learn from and trust the other;
– Craft related to demonstrating the markers of competence in your context and vocation in such a way that encourages trust among your peers and seeks to learn from
those around you.
Indicators: An individual proficient in Understanding and Working with Others…
– Demonstrates critical appreciation for those different from oneself.
– Demonstrates the ability to communicate the Bible and theology in a vocational context.
– Is able to distinguish communication strategies that are appropriate for individuals both inside and outside of one’s community of faith.
III. Required Text
Heinzen, T., & Goodfriend, W. (2019). Social Psychology.
IV. Course Schedule (Zoom Link)
February 17th. Introduction to Social Psychology I.
Reading Assignment due 2/17: skim through the book
Writing Prompt due 2/17: No writing prompts are due today.
March 3rd. Introduction to Social Psychology II.
Reading Assignment due 3/3: Chapter 3: “The Social Self” (pp. 148-187).
Writing Prompt due 3/3: No writing prompts are due today.
March 10th. Self-Awareness.
Reading Assignment due 3/10: Chapter 4: “Social Cognition” (pp. 216-255).
Writing Prompt due 3/10: What is motivational reasoning and how does Orthropraxis address it?
March 17th. Faith Community vs. Outside World
Reading Assignment due 3/17: Chapter 5: “Person Perception” (pp. 288-324).
Writing Prompt due 3/17: How do “Biased Views of Feedback About the Self” affect our ability to repent and grow in holiness?” One paragraph.
March 24th. Working with Diverse Groups.
Reading Assignment due 3/24: Chapter 6: “Attitudes and Persuasion” (pp. 353-392).
Writing Prompt due 3/24: Identify one of your ingroups (a group in which you are a member) and corresponding stereotypes about your own group. Do you fit these stereotypes or not? Can you think of other members of your group that either do or don’t fit those stereotypes? One paragraph.
March 31st. Awareness and Appreciation of Differences.
Reading Assignment due 3/31: Chapter 9: “Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination” (pp. 564–603).
Writing Prompt due 3/31: Give an example of how Orthodox priests use 1) direct persuasion and 2) indirect persuasion. What is the difference between manipulation and persuasion? One paragraph.
Optional Grad Prep:
In addition to the above, begin the outline for a five-paragraph comparative essay.
April 14th. Exhibiting Christlikeness in Work.
Today, students will present their five-minute summaries.
Reading Assignment due 4/14: Review course readings and notes.
Writing Assignments due 4/14:
Submit a draft of your master outline for the final oral presentation/assessment.
Prepare a 5-minute sampling of your oral presentation’s outline to deliver in class for feedback (no need to turn this in).
Optional Grad Prep:
In addition to the above, present the outline for a five-paragraph comparative essay.
April 21st. Lifelong Learning.
Students will sign up for individual practice sessions for the oral exam. Students should be prepared to discuss the changes they made to their work and why.
Reading Assignment due 4/21: Review course readings and notes.
Writing Assignments due 4/21:
Finalize your full oral presentation according to the feedback you received in class.
Optional Grad Prep:
In addition to the above, complete your essay outline according to the feedback you received in class.
April 21st – 24th. Mastery.
Assignment: Students take their oral exams.
General Information
Attendance Policy. As participation is a key component of this course, students are allowed up to one unexcused absence. Excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or jury duty, and religious holy days. These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious illness. Please send an email to the instructor concerning the reason for your absence within three days of the absence so that you are not accidentally penalized.
Professionalism. Professional conduct is expected at all times. This includes communication via email with your instructor and your classmates, and communication on the class website. Our classroom should be a place where people feel safe sharing opinions and ideas.
Religious Holidays Policy. St. Athanasius College will provide reasonable accommodations to students who request to be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of their faith. Students will make the request in writing to their instructor, preferably upon receipt of the course syllabus, but not later than two weeks before the holy observance. Note that such an accommodation may not be possible when the religious holy day conflicts with group work or experiential learning projects that cannot reasonably be rescheduled; therefore, students should avoid potential conflicts when scheduling courses. While excused students will be held responsible for the material covered in their absence, they shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the work missed. Instructors and administrators shall not penalize students who are absent from academic activities because of excused religious holy day observance. This policy applies to all St. Athanasius College courses, regardless of location or mode of delivery. Be sure to use respectful language when disagreeing. If you have a concern with the course, please send a thoughtful email to me outlining your concern.
Student Disability Accommodations. St. Athanasius College provides reasonable accommodations or modifications in adherence with local, state, and federal law. To receive accommodations through St. Athanasius College, students must self-elect to disclose their disability to the Office of the Dean and follow the steps to receive accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive. Approved accommodation requests submitted after courses have begun will be effective as of the date the completed request was received by the Office of the Dean. To complete an Accommodation Request, students can access the form online at the school’s website. If the student has an issue accessing the form for any reason please contact the Office of the Dean. In addition to the Accommodation Request, students should email appropriate documentation to the Office of the Dean.
Syllabus Change Policy. Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.
