IR 308
Political Psychology
Fall 2016
Aysuda Kölemen
Friday 09:00-11:30
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: aysuda.kolemen@kemerburgaz.edu.tr
COURSE GOALS
Political psychology is a relatively
young and very exciting field. We have long assumed that human beings are
rational beings. Some, on the other hand, theorized that human beings are
irrational. A growing body of research shows us that neither extreme view is
accurate. Human beings appear to have a bounded rationality. We are also
predictable in our behavior to a certain degree. Our group identity and
socialization colors our political views and behavior at an individual level.
States and large organizations are not immune to the follies of the human
psyche, either. Understanding and predicting political behavior is more
achievable when we combine multiple social discipline: psychology, politics,
sociology, etc. Political psychology is an interdisciplinary field and it is
all the more richer for it, feeding from multiple diverse and distinct
traditions and combining them to create an intriguing body of new knowledge.
Come aboard and start the journey.
REQUIRED READINGS
Cottam et al.
(2010) Introduction to Political Psychology, Psychology Press.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Macmillan.
Nudge, T. R. S. C. (2008). Improving decisions about health, wealth and
happiness.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
Final (30%)
Term Paper
(30%)
Quizzes (40%)
Course Policies:
• Readings
assigned for the week are due on Wednesday unless stated otherwise on the
syllabus. It is ESSENTIAL that you
read the daily assignments before you come to class. This will help you follow
the lecture, and participate in discussions.
• Test
questions will be drawn from readings, lectures and class discussions.
• A legitimate excuse explaining your absence (serious
medical problem or family emergency) is required for taking a make-up exam.
• I
may post announcements or supplementary readings on the course blog at
http://socialsciences-researchmethods.blogspot.com.tr/.
• I
reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus as necessary.
•Cases of academic dishonesty (cheating and plagiarism) will be
referred to the disciplinary committee.
Reading Assignment Schedule
Week
1 (Sep 30)
Introduction
Week 2 (October 7)
Thinking Fast
and Slow: Humans v. Econs
Week
3 (October 14)
Thinking Fast
and Slow: Humans v. Econs
Week
4 (October 28)
Cognition,
Social Identity, Emotions
Quiz #1
Week
5 (Nov 4)
The
Political Psychology of Groups
Quiz #2
Week
6 (Nov 11)
Voting, The Role of the Media and Tolerance
Quiz # 3
Week
7 (Nov 18)
Voting, The Role of the Media and Tolerance
Quiz # 4
Week
8 (Nov 25)
The Psychology of Voting and Democracy
Quiz # 5
Week
9 (Dec 2)
From Ethnic Conflict to Genocide
Quiz #6
Week 10 (Dec 9)
The Political Psychology of Nationalism
Quiz #7
Week 11 (Dec 16)
The Political Psychology of Terrorism
Quiz #8
Week
12 (Dec 23)
The Political Psychology of International Security
and Conflict
Quiz #9
Week
13 (December 30)
To nudge or not
to nudge? That’s the Question.
Quiz #10
