COURSE UNIT TITLE

: SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

DEGREE PROGRAMMES

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
UMN 1004 SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES COMPULSORY 3 0 0 4

Offered By

Business Administration (English) (UOLP-New York State University (Suny Albany))

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR DOCTOR GÖKHAN KARAGONLAR

Offered to

Business Administration (English) (UOLP-New York State University (Suny Albany))

Course Objective

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and research methods of social and behavioral sciences, examining how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to their social world. By exploring topics such as social cognition, perception, the self, conformity, group processes, persuasion, prosocial behavior, aggression, and prejudice, students will gain a deeper understanding of how social and cultural contexts shape decision-making and behavior. The course also addresses broader influences on human interaction through discussions on economic systems, globalization, population, and urbanization, equipping students with a holistic perspective on how societal factors drive individual and collective actions.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   1. Apply foundational research methods in social and behavioral sciences to critically analyze human thought and behavior within diverse social contexts.
2   2. Assess how social cognition and perception influence people s judgments, decisions, and interpersonal interactions.
3   3. Evaluate the effects of cognitive dissonance, persuasion, conformity, and obedience on social influence and group dynamics.
4   4. Examine the factors contributing to prosocial behavior, aggression, and prejudice and propose strategies to foster positive social change.
5   5. Analyze the impact of culture, economic systems, globalization, and urbanization on social structures and collective behavior.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction & research methodology in social and behavioural sciences
2 Social Cognition: How people make decisions based on automatic thinking
3 Social Perception: How we understand other people
4 The Self: Understanding Ourselves in a Social Context
5 Cognitive Dissonance and its role in attitude change and influencing people
6 The psychology of persuasion
7 Social influence 1: Conformity and Obedience
8 Social Influence 2: Group Processes
9 Prosocial Behavior: Why do people help others
10 Aggression: Why do people hurt others
11 Prejudice: Causes, consequences and cures
12 Culture
13 Economic systems and globalization
14 Population and Urbanization

Recomended or Required Reading

Course Books:
1. Aronson, Wilson, Akert & Somers. (2021). Social Psychology, 10th global edition. Pearson.
2. Henslin, J. M. (2018). Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach. 14th edition. Pearson.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Class Dicussions and readings

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MT Midterm
2 FN Final
3 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE MT * 0.40 + FN * 0.60
4 RST RESIT
5 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MT * 0.40 + RST * 0.60


Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

Midterm and Final exams: The exams will cover understanding of the lecture material.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

Attendance: By regulations students have to attend at least 70% of classes. They must arrive on time. They are also expected to participate in class discussions and group activities.
2. Preparation: Students are expected to come to class having read the assigned materials and completed their homework. They should also be prepared to participate in class discussions and group activities.
3. Ethical Behavior: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner and to respect the rights and opinions of their classmates and instructors.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

Prof. Dr. Gökhan Karagonlar
gokhan.karagonlar@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

tba

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 14 3 42
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 14 1,5 28
Preparation for midterm exam 1 15 15
Preparation for final exam 1 15 15
Final 1 2 2
Midterm 1 2 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 104

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13PO.14
LO.13543
LO.234334
LO.33343
LO.45343
LO.54454

CONTACT INFORMATION
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Cumhuriyet Bulvarı No: 144 35210 Alsancak / İZMİR
Phone: +90(232) 412 12 12 - Fax: +90 (232) 464 81 35

Copyright 2015 DEÜ. BİD

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