Information Package / Course Catalogue
PSYC 342 Political Psychology
MEF University
Degree Programs
Psychology
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Psychology
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Econ., Admin. and Social Sciences
Course Code PSYC 342
Course Title in English Political Psychology
Course Title in Turkish Politik Psikoloji
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom,Lecture
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 144 hours per semester
Number of Credits 6 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites POLS 101 - Introduction to Political Science | PSYC 106 - Introduction to Social Psychology
Expected Prior Knowledge Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Political Science
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To become familiar with the theories of political psychology; to be able to appreciate and to use cross-field approaches in social sciences (political science and psychology); to be able to understand and critique empirical articles published in highly acclaimed psychology journals; and to be able to present a topic in English in front of an audience.
Course Description The major goal of this course is to introduce students to political psychology, which is a sub-discipline crosscutting political science and psychology. The course will serve as a foundation for those students who would like to study psychological understandings to political questions such as individual motivations of political decisions and the effect of political contexts on the ways people behave. In particular, we will study factors such as personality and context in affecting attitudes. We will also investigate how people form social and political identities, and how these identities apply to political issues.
Course Description in Turkish Bu dersin ana hedeflerinden birisi öğrencileri, siyaset psikolojisi alanının önemli teori ve yaklaşımlarıyla tanıştırmaktır. Dolayısıyla, bu ders, siyaset psikolojisinin önemli odaklarından olan ‘siyasi kararların bireysel nedenleri’, ‘siyasi konjonktürün bireylerin davranış biçimlerine olan etkisi’ ve ‘oy vermenin motivasyonları’ gibi konuları merkezine alarak siyasetin arkasındaki psikolojik etmenleri çalışmayı hedefleyen öğrencilere teorik ve pratik bir temel sağlayacaktır. Dahası, bu derste bireylerin toplumsal ve siyasi kimliklerini nasıl oluşturdukları ve bu kimliklerin siyasete hangi şekillerde sirayet edildiği de çalışılacaktır.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) understand the fundamental theories in political psychology;
2) understand to combine theoretical insights from different fields (i.e.; political science, psychology);
3) evaluate scientific articles in relation to the theories employed;
4) demonstrate improved confidence comprehending English and communicating in it in a scientific manner;
5) create new research ideas employing theories covered in the course;
6) discuss political psychology theories and research in the correct ethical format.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences.
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level).
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement.
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses.
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. H Exam,Presentation
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. S Presentation
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. H Participation
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. S Participation,Presentation
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. S Exam,Participation,Presentation
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. N
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. N
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). H Exam,Participation,Presentation
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. H Participation
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. N
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. N
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. H Presentation
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H Exam,Presentation
Prepared by and Date MUKADDER OKUYAN , March 2022
Course Coordinator SENA CÜRE ACER
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction
2) A Central Debate
3) Authoritarianism
4) Personality and Political Attitudes
5) Bias & Racism
6) Motivated Social Cognition
7) Polarization and Political Extremism
8) Midterm
9) Social Identity, Social Dominance and System Justification
10) Group Threat
11) Psychology of Privilege and Entitlement
12) Social Movements and Politicized Identity
13) Solidarity and Alliances
14) Group-Based Emotions
15) Final Examination Period
16) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsJost, J. T., & Sidanius, J. (Eds.). (2004). Political psychology: Key readings. Psychology Press. Other resources are articles and will be provided by the instructor.
Teaching MethodsThis course will be taught in the flipped and lecture formats. Each week, students will be assigned an introductory online lecture/ video and an article. At the beginning of the class, I will introduce the topic for 10 minutes. Following the short lecture, students are expected to discuss the online lecture and the article in English. During the discussion, my main role will be to moderate the discussion. Students will be expected to prepare for class by spending sufficient time to master the preparatory materials. They will also be expected to contribute appropriately to class discussions and to assist the learning of other students. I as the instructor commit to preparing and selecting high-quality materials for each class, at an appropriate level of English.
Homework and ProjectsStudents will be asked to present on a topic of their own choice. They have complete freedom as long as the topic of presentation is related to the course. The students will prepare an in-class presentation (around 10 minutes) and present it in front of the class. They will be evaluated upon (i) the quality of the presentation, (ii) their ability to apply course information to the topic, (iii) presentation design, and (iv) ability to answer questions coming from the audience.
Laboratory Work
Computer Use
Other ActivitiesStudents will be asked to read each week’s book chapter and article prior to that week’s classroom session. Classroom discussions will be based on the readings.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 20
Presentation 1 % 10
Midterm(s) 1 % 35
Final Examination 1 % 35
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration mokuyan@clarku.edu

Attendance at all classes is mandatory. Students arriving late or unprepared will be barred from that class, which will impact upon their continuous assessment grade. Students must provide a legitimate, acceptable and documented excuse for missing a scheduled exam. There will be a make-up exam if students miss the midterm. Make-up exams could be in a different format than midterm or final exam. Students are expected to treat university personnel and one another respectfully at all times; this includes showing respect for class content and for others’ opinions. The commitment of acts of cheating, lying, and deceit in any of their diverse forms such as plagiarism, and copying during examinations is dishonest and will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty and plagiarism: YÖK Disciplinary Regulation.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 2 3 2 98
Project 2 8 2 20
Midterm(s) 1 8 2 10
Final Examination 1 14 2 16
Total Workload 144
Total Workload/25 5.8
ECTS 6