PSYb2800 Political psychology and intergroup conflict

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Macháčková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Marie Jaroň Bedrošová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Bronislav Farkač (lecturer)
Mgr. Michal Mužík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Jan Šerek, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Psychology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 10:00–11:40 AVC
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! PSY280 Political psy and conflict
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 18 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The purpose of this course is to acquire the basic knowledge of psychological theories and approaches that help to explain politically motivated intergroup conflict, intolerance, and collective action. The course interconnects traditional theories in social and political psychology (social identity, social cognition, socialization) with their recent extensions to the areas of populism, radicalism, authoritarianism, or intolerant online communities. It also emphasizes the applications to current political events in the Czech Republic and other European countries.
Learning outcomes
After passing the course, students will be able:
- to understand psychological theories and approaches that help to explain politically motivated intergroup conflict, intolerance, and collective action;
- to understand, from a psychological perspective, phenomena such as racism, populism, or radical political participation;
- to employ theories of political and social psychology to understand current political events;
- to design and critically evaluate different strategies for reducing intergroup conflict.
Syllabus
  • TEACHING STARTS ON SEPTEMBER 26th 2019!
  • 26.09.2019 Theories of intergroup conflict
  • 03.10.2019 Racism and social exclusion
  • 10.10.2019 Populism (SEMINAR WITH READING 1)
  • 17.10.2019 Radical social movements
  • 24.10.2019 Political authoritarianism
  • 31.10.2019 Terrorism and genocide
  • 07.11.2019 Reducing intergroup conflict (SEMINAR WITH READING 2)
  • 14.11.2019 The role of information and materials in media and on the internet I
  • 21.11.2019 The role of information and materials in media and on the internet II
  • 28.11.2019 Cyberhate and online hateful communities I
  • 05.12.2019 Cyberhate and online hateful communities II (SEMINAR WITH READING 3)
  • 12.12.2019 Final exam
Literature
  • Handbook of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. Edited by Todd D. Nelson. Second edition. London: Psychology Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2016, xv, 516. ISBN 9781848726697. info
  • JONES, James M. and John F. DOVIDIO. The psychology of diversity : beyond prejudice and racism. Edited by Deborah L. Vietze. First published. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2014, xvii, 407. ISBN 9781405162135. info
  • The SAGE handbook of prejudice, sterotyping and discrimination. Edited by John F. Dovidio. 1st pub. London: Sage, 2013, xxv, 646. ISBN 9781412934534. info
  • The Oxford handbook of intergroup conflict. Edited by Linda R. Tropp. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012, xiv, 386. ISBN 9780199747672. info
  • Identity and participation in culturally diverse societies : a multidisciplinary perspective. Edited by Assaad E. Azzi. 1st pub. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011, xii, 383. ISBN 9781405199476. info
  • Intergroup conflicts and their resolution : a social psychological perspective. Edited by Daniel Bar-Tal. London: Psychology Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2011, xii, 367. ISBN 9781841697833. info
  • Young citizens in the digital age : political engagement, young people and new media. Edited by Brian Loader. London: Routledge, 2007, xiii, 213. ISBN 9780415409131. info
  • The social psychology of inclusion and exclusion. Edited by Dominic Abrams - Michael A. Hogg - José M. Marques. New York: Psychology Press, 2005, xviii, 355. ISBN 1841690732. URL info
Teaching methods
Course is conducted in the combined form of lectures and seminars. Active participation of students in lectures and discussions is required. During the semester, students have to submit three assignments and pass a final exam. Students are expected to follow updates in the Information System and check their student e-mail accounts regularly. All required reading materials will be available online in the Information System.
Assessment methods
The final grade depends on the following criteria:

1) Attendance (maximum 11 points)
Student's attendance at every seminar/lecture is awarded with 1 point.

2) Assignments (3 x maximum 10 points)
Before each "seminar with reading" students have to submit an assignment (deadline is on Monday before the seminar). The assignment must be based on the reading material for the specific seminar (please see below). In the assignment, (1) briefly describe main points of the reading material (100-150 words), (2) evaluate the reading material in terms of its clarity and cogency, pinpoint its strengths/weaknesses and consider its implications – your own opinion (supported by arguments) is highly expected here (200-250 words), (3) ask questions if something from the reading material is unclear (optional). Overall, the assignment must have between 300-500 words. One assignment meeting all criteria and submitted in time is awarded with 10 points. Points will be deducted if the assignment does not meet required criteria, has a poor quality, or is submitted after deadline (3 points will be deducted for every day). In total, three assignments have to be submitted. Submit your assignments online in the Information System.

SEMINAR WITH READING 1 (10.10.2019)
Reading: Reicher, S. D., & Haslam, A. (2017). Trump's appeal: What psychology tells us. Scientific American. Retrieved from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-rsquo-s-appeal-what-psychology-tells-us/
Submit your assignment by Monday 7.10.2019

SEMINAR WITH READING 2 (7.11.2019)
Reading: McKeown, S., & Dixon, J. (2017). The “contact hypothesis”: Critical reflections and future directions. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 11(1), e12295.
Submit your assignment by Monday 4.11.2019

SEMINAR WITH READING 3 (5.12.2019)
Reading: McNamee, L. G., Peterson, B. L., & Peña, J. (2010). A call to educate, participate, invoke and indict: Understanding the communication of online hate groups. Communication Monographs, 77(2), 257-280.
Submit your assignment by Monday 2.12.2019

3) Final exam (maximum 60 points)
There will be an exam (multiple choice quiz) at the end of the semester, covering the lectures and assigned readings (all presentations and required readings will be available online in the Information System).

Grades will be assigned based on the final summary score:
A: 101-93
B: 92-85
C: 84-77
D: 76-69
E: 68-61
F: 60 and less

Note: There is no minimum required number of points for attendance, assignments or final exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
Contact person is Jan Šerek (e-mail: serek@fss.muni.cz, office: Joštova 10, room 2.51). Individual consultations can be arranged via e-mail.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2019/PSYb2800