Interactive Syllabus

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 13 lectures and is taught weekly (Thursdays 10:00-11:30) online (Zoom). The lectures will be broadcast live, providing students with the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the lecturers (with the exception of two prerecorded lectures by Zuzana Scott). Class attendance is not mandatory. All lectures will be recorded and the recordings will be available to students in the Information System.

Join the lectures using this link: https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/96436795270

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.

(After completing the quiz, students will have the opportunity to send the lecturer their comments or questions regarding the reading material. Lecturers will try to respond to these comments and questions during the lecture. Sending the comments or questions is not mandatory and is not awarded with points.)

Reading material 1 (lecture 22. 10.):

• 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 21. 10., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2020/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_1.qref

Reading material 2 (lecture 5. 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 4. 11., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2020/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_2.qref

Reading material 3 (lecture 19. 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 18. 11., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2020/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_3.qref
  

Reading material 4 (lecture 3. 12.):

• 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 2. 12., 10:00-20:00. Link:  https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2020/PSYb2800/odp/Quiz_4.qref

Reading material 5 (lecture 7. 1.):

• 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 6. 1., 10:00-20:00. Link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2020/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 (online test), covering the lectures and assigned reading materials. All presentations, recordings and required readings will be available online in the Information System.

Final exam can be taken on Thursday 21. 1., 10:00-11:30 (link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2020/PSYb2800/odp/Final_exam_1.qref), or Thursday 11. 2., 10:00-11:30 (link: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/fss/podzim2020/PSYb2800/odp/Final_exam_2.qref). Please note that it is necessary to register for the exam 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.