Seminar on Social Action
PSYC 321
Fall 2025
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01
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This seminar introduces students to theoretical and empirical research on conceptions, perceptions, and outcomes of strategies for social action, including scholarship on individuals' and groups' change efforts. In this course, students will engage with social psychological concepts both classical and modern to answer pressing questions such as when is social action (in)effective or (in)authentic? What (dis/en)courages people to join movements and what behaviors support (or undermine) them? What explains backlash against change initiatives? Students will be asked to consider the benefits and constraints of social action strategies and develop their own theories as to what forms of action are most (or least) conducive to change and when. This course counts as a specialized or elective requirement towards the psychology major. This course counts as a specialized or elective requirement towards the psychology major. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS PSYC |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: PSYC105 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Example of Readings:
Brannon, T. N., Carter, E. R., Murdock-Perriera, L. A., & Higginbotham, G. D. (2018). From Backlash To Inclusion For All: Instituting Diversity Efforts To Maximize Benefits Across
Group Lines. Social Issues and Policy Review, 12(1), 57¿90.
Broido, E. M. (2000). Ways Of Being An Ally To Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Students. In V. A. Wall & N. J. Evans (Eds.), Toward acceptance: Sexual orientation issues on campus (pp.345¿369). University Press of America.
Burson, E., & Godfrey, E. B. (2020). Intraminority Solidarity: The Role Of Critical Consciousness. European Journal of Social Psychology, 50(6), 1362¿1377. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2679.
Case, K. A., Rios, D., Lucas, A., Braun, K., & Enriquez, C. (2020). Intersectional Patterns Of Prejudice Confrontation By White, Heterosexual, And Cisgender Allies. Journal of Social Issues, 76(4), 899¿920.
Devine, P. G., Forscher, P. S., Cox, W. T. L., Kaatz, A., Sheridan, J., & Carnes, M. (2017). A Gender Bias Habit-Breaking Intervention Led To Increased Hiring Of Female Faculty In STEMM Departments. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 73, 211¿215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2017.07.002
Greijdanus, H., de Matos Fernandes, C. A., Turner-Zwinkels, F., Honari, A., Roos, C. A., Rosenbusch, H., & Postmes, T. (2020). The Psychology Of Online Activism And Social Movements: Relations Between Online And Offline Collective Action. Current Opinion in Psychology, 35, 49-54.
Kutlaca, M., & Radke, H. R. M. (2023). Towards An Understanding Of Performative Allyship: Definition, Antecedents And Consequences. Social and Personality Psychology Compass,
17(2), Article e12724.
Pettigrew, T. F., & Tropp, L. R. (2008). How Does Intergroup Contact Reduce Prejudice? Meta-Analytic Tests Of Three Mediators. European Journal of Social Psychology, 38(6), 922¿934. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.504
Radke, H. R. M., Hornsey, M. J., & Barlow, F. K. (2016). Barriers To Women Engaging In Collective Action To Overcome Sexism. American Psychologist, 71, 863¿874. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0040345.
Wright, S. C., & Lubensky, M. E. (2009). The Struggle For Social Equality: Collective Action Versus Prejudice Reduction. In S. Demoulin, J. P. Leyens, & J. F. Dovidio (Eds.), Intergroup
misunderstandings: Impact of divergent social realities (pp. 291¿310). Psychology Press.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Students will be asked to complete weekly discussion questions, two reflection papers, and a final paper or project, and lead one group discussion (with a peer) on an article of their choice. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course counts as a specialized or elective requirement towards the psychology major. PSYC105 is a prerequisite. |
| Instructor(s): De Souza,Lucy Times: .M.W... 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: TBA |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 15 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
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