Interaktivní osnova

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.

The course consists of 12 lectures and is taught weekly (Thursdays 10:00-11:30) in person in room P31 (FSS MU). One exception is the lecture by Zuzana Scott, which will be prerecorded and available to students in the Information System. Class attendance is not mandatory.

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 (30. 9., 14. 10., 4. 11., 11. 11., 2. 12.). 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.

Reading material 1 (lecture 30. 9.):

• 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/ 
• Online quiz can be taken on Wednesday 29. 10., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2021/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_1.qref

• McKeown, S., & Dixon, J. (2017). The “contact hypothesis”: Critical reflections and future directions. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 11(1), e12295.
• Online quiz can be taken on Wednesday 13. 10., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2021/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_2.qref

Reading material 3 (lecture 4. 11.):

• Paxton, P., & Ressler, R. W. (2018). Trust and participation in associations.  In E. M. Uslaner (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of social and political trust (pp. 149-172). New York: Oxford University Press.
  
• Online quiz can be taken on Wednesday 3. 11., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2021/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_3.qref

Reading material 4 (lecture 11. 11.):

• Two (!) materials:
  • Podcast by Lauren Duncan available at https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/protest-activism
  • Duncan, L. (2012). The psychology of collective action. In K. Deaux & M. Snyder (Eds.)., The Oxford Handbook of Personality and Social Psychology (781-803). New York: Oxford University Press.
• Online quiz can be taken on Wednesday 10. 11., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2021/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_4.qref
  

Reading material 5 (lecture 2. 12.):

• 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. 
  
• Online quiz can be taken on Wednesday 1. 12., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2021/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_5.qref

2) Final exam (maximum 60 points)
There will be an exam at the end of the semester in the exam period, covering the lectures and assigned reading materials. All presentations (ppt slides) and required readings will be available online in the Information System. The exam will be written 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 1: There is no minimum required number of points for reading material quizzes or final exam.

Note 2: The lectures and the final exam will be organized in person (in the faculty building). If the pandemic situation gets worse during the semester and the in person teaching is not allowed by national and university pandemic regulations, we will switch into online teaching (i.e., online lectures in real time streamed via Zoom and online final examination). If this happens, you will be informed via e-mail.