Psyco 403/505 – A4 SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE
Fall Term, 2019 Instructor: Dr. Kyle Nash
Office: Biological Sciences, P457 Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 3:30-4:30pm or by appointment Course Location, Day & Time: CAB 365; Wed 1:00PM - 3:50PM
Teaching Assistant Information:
Kathryn Kincaid [email protected]
Course Website: Sign in to eClass, accessible on University Home Page
Course Description: A seminar-style class that involves a survey of theories and research on social neuroscience. This is a Faculty of Science course.
Prerequisites: It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you have the appropriate prerequisite for the course.
Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes: The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an introduction to research and theorizing in social neuroscience. Topics covered in this course are described in the schedule below. Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Describe and evaluate current theory and research in social neuroscience. 2. Understand and interpret principles of social neuroscience in everyday life. 3. Define causes and mechanisms of social behaviour from a neuroscientific perspective.
Course Format: 1 3-hour class will be held each week consisting of lectures and class discussions. Readings will inform the lecture topic each week. Lecture slides will be posted on eClass just prior to the corresponding lecture.
Important Dates: See Academic Schedule in current Calendar First Day of Class: Sept 4th
Last Day of Class: Dec. 4th
Registration:
Add/Delete
Fee Payment
Fee Refund (50%)
Withdrawal (Grade of W)
(No academic record) Fall 13-week
classes
Sep 16, 2019 Sep 30, 2019
Oct 3, 2019
Nov 29, 2019
Schedule (subject to change):
DATE TOPIC
9/4 Introduction & Research Methods ,
9/11 Fundamentals
9/18 Neurotransmitters and Hormones
9/25 Cognition
10/2 Emotion and Motivation
10/9 Social Cognition I: Self and Others 10/16 Social Cognition II: Self-Regulation 10/23 Personality
10/30 Core Motives
11/6 Intergroup Processes 11/13 NO CLASS
11/20 Neuroeconomics (research proposal due) 11/27 Belief: Politics and Ideology
12/4 Existential Social Neuroscience
Components of Course Grade:
(1) Presentation – 40%
(2) Research Proposal – 40%
(3) Participation – 20%
Presentation (40%): Students will lecture on a weekly topic (schedule outlined above, lecture approx. 45-60 min). Following the presentation, the presenter will lead a discussion period (approx. 15-30 min). The presenter will also prepare a summary for handout and/or post lecture slides prior to class. More information to be given in class
Research Proposal (40%): There is a research assignment that is due on the 20th of November. Details about the research proposal will be provided during class.
Participation (20%): Marks will be based on attendance and degree of
contribution to in class discussion. To receive the attendance marks, students can miss up to two lectures.
Grading:
Final grades will be reported using letter grades. Final grades will be determined after combining scores for all components of the course into a percentage total for each student. The instructor will convert these percentages into letter grades based on the following conversion system:
A+ ≥92.5%
A 84.5 – 92.49 A- 79.5 – 84.49 B+ 76.5 – 79.49 B 73.5 – 76.49 B- 69.5 – 73.49 C+ 66.5 – 69.49 C 63.5 – 66.49 C- 59.5 – 63.49 D+ 54.5 – 59.49 D 49.5 – 54.49 F ≤49.5
This is NOT a curved course. However, cutoffs may be adjusted so that the proportion of students receiving each letter grade more closely corresponds to the University- suggested ranges. Marks will be posted under “Grades” on the course website. Grades are unofficial until approved by the Department and/or Faculty offering the course.
Student Responsibilities:
Academic Integrity: The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.governance.ualberta.ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.
All students should consult the Academic Integrity website. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process .
Recording of Lectures: Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study,
and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).
Disclaimer: Any typographical errors in this syllabus are subject to change and will be announced in class and posted on eClass.
Student Resources: The best all-purpose website for student services is:
https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.
Accessibility Resources: (1–80 SUB)
The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. Accessibility Resources promotes an accessible, inclusive, and universally designed environment. For general information to register for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage.
The Academic Success Centre: (1-80 SUB)
The Academic Success Centre offers a variety of workshops on effective study and exam strategies. There are in-person and online sessions available for a modest fee.
The Centre for Writers: (1-42 Assiniboia Hall)
The Centre for Writers offers free one-on-one writing support to students, faculty, and staff. Students can request consultation for a writing project at any stage of development. Instructors can request class visits and presentations.
Health and Wellness Support: There are many health and community services available to current students. For more information visit the Health and Wellness Support webpage.
Office of the Student Ombuds:
The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential interviews, advice and support to students facing academic, discipline, interpersonal and financial difficulties.
Learning and working environment:
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.
It is the policy of the University of Alberta that sexual violence committed by any member of the University community is prohibited and constitutes misconduct.
Resources and more information can be found at https://www.ualberta.ca/campus- life/sexual-violence
The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis,
Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.
Policy about course outlines can be found in the Evaluation Procedures and Grading System section of the University Calendar.
Copyright: Kyle Nash, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta, 2019
