PSYb2800 Political psychology and intergroup conflict

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 4 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)
Mgr. Zuzana Scott, 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 exP52
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.
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
  • 08.10.2020 Theories of intergroup conflict
  • 15.10.2020 Racism and social exclusion
  • 22.10.2020 Populism
  • 29.10.2020 Political authoritarianism
  • 05.11.2020 Psychology of political mobilization
  • 12.11.2020 Minority activism
  • 19.11.2020 Radical social movements
  • 26.11.2020 Terrorism and genocide
  • 03.12.2020 Reducing intergroup conflict
  • 10.12.2020 The role of information and materials in media and on the internet I
  • 17.12.2020 The role of information and materials in media and on the internet II
  • 07.01.2021 Cyberhate and online hateful communities I
  • 14.01.2021 Cyberhate and online hateful communities II
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 consists of 13 lectures. During the semester, students take five online quizzes on assigned reading materials. 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) Reading material quizzes (maximum 5 x 5 points)
There are five lectures with assigned reading materials (22. 10., 5. 11., 19. 11., 3. 12., 7. 1.). On Wednesdays before these lectures, short online quizzes will be open. Every quiz will consist of five multiple choice questions regarding the content of the reading material for the forthcoming lecture. Students can complete the quiz any time between 10.00 and 20.00. Time limit to complete the quiz is 3 minutes. Students can gain maximum five points in every quiz. Although taking the quizzes is not mandatory, their skipping means less points for the final summary score.

2) Final exam (maximum 60 points)
There will be an exam at the end of the semester in the exam period (online test), covering the lectures and assigned reading materials. All presentations, recordings and required readings will be available online in the Information System.

Grades will be assigned based on the final summary score:
A: 85-77
B: 76-68
C: 67-59
D: 58-50
E: 49-41
F: 40 and less

Note: There is no minimum required number of points for reading material quizzes 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 2019, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2020/PSYb2800