PSYC 377, Psychology of Global Poverty
Spring 2011, p.1
Psychology 377
SPECIAL TOPICS: PSYCHOLOGY OF GLOBAL POVERTY (2 units)
Spring 2011
W5:20–7:25 p.m. Room: BDC 165B
Instructor:Steven Bacon, Ph.D.Office Hrs:M 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Office:DDH D103 T8:30 – 11:30 am
E-mail:3:00 – 5:00 pm
Phone:654-2008Th8:30 – 11:30
Webpage:
Course Description:
This course will explore global poverty from a psychological perspective. After investigating the economic, social and psychological causes and consequences of global poverty, students will consider various interventions that have been proposed to reduce poverty. Students will apply psychological theories to better understand American views on global poverty and international intervention. Potential barriers to helping improve the lot of over a billion extremely poor people will be discussed.
Course Goals and Objectives :
In addition to the course objectives implied in the description above, this course will address the following
objectives of the Department of Psychology:
2b.Student explains behavior using concepts from a specific narrowly-focused portion of a theory or model.
2c.Student explains how specific behavior would be understood differently by two theories/models that are both able to offer sensible explanations for it.
4a.Student explains how psychological science can be used to understand social issues, inform public policy, and improve individuals’ lives.
4c.Student demonstrates the application of psychological knowledge outside of the classroom to affect behavior in a desired direction.
5e.Student identifies personal values and evaluates them from the perspective of the discipline of psychology.
Course Texts :
Required:
Sachs, J.D. (2005). The end of poverty: Economic possibilities for our time. New York: Penquin Press.
Singer, P. (2010).The life you can save: How to do your part to end world poverty.
New York: Random House.
Recommended:
Bourke, D. H. (2007).The skeptics guide to global poverty. Colorado Springs, CO: Authentic.
Method of Evaluation:
Grade WeightingReading reflections (8)40%
Papers
Film critique 5%
Interview10%
What will I do?25%
Agency presentation10%
Participation10 %
______
Total100%
Reading Reflections: Each week, students will read assigned pages in a book or article and will submit a two-page (double-spaced) paper based on the week’s reading. The first page of the paper will be an objective summary of the material read. The second page will require personal reflection on the reading based on questions posted on the course web page. Papers will be graded on the accuracy of the summary and effort and clarity of the personal reflection. You will not be graded on the content of your opinions (e.g., whether or not they agree with mine). Students will submit eight (8) reading reflection papers.
Papers: The film critique, interview paper, and final paper (“What will I do?”) will be of limited scope and will incorporate material from course lectures and readings. I will provide you with instructions for completing each of these papers through separate postings on the web page.
Agency Presentations: There are many national and international agencies working to reduce extreme poverty. Part of becoming an educated consumer is getting to know what these different agencies do. During the quarter, we will learn about 15 of these important agencies. Each student, as part of a two-person team, will introduce the class to one of these organizations. Agencies will be assigned based on a lottery held on the second day of class. A detailed description of these presentations and scoring rubric will be posted on the class web page.
Participation: Class participation—the sharing of perspectives and new ideas—will be crucial to the success of this class. Consequently, a small part of your grade will reflect your participation in the class. In order to participate, you must be present in the class. Attendance, therefore, will be the first component of your participation grade. You may miss one class session without penalty. The second part of your participation grade will include your openness to sharing ideas with the class and active engagement in class exercises. I realize that everyone has different styles of participating (e.g., introverts vs. extraverts, talkers vs. facilitators), so I will not be grading on sheer volume of verbal output.
On Late Assignments: Papers of all kinds (except the final paper) are due at the beginning of the class session listed on the syllabus. If there are extenuating circumstances preventing you from turning in your paper on time, you must clear the late paper with me in advance. Not attending class is not an excuse for a late paper (in this case only, email the paper to me by the date it is due). Papers will be docked 10% per day the paper is late.
Grading Scale:
93-100. = A80-82.9 = B-67-69.9 = D+
90-92.9 = A-77-79.9 = C+63-66.9 = D
87-89.9 = B+73-76.9 = C60-62.9 = D-
83-86.9 = B70-72.9 = C-00-59.9 = F
CSUB and Classroom Policies:
All campus rules for plagiarism, cheating, and incomplete grades will be strictly enforced. Definitions and consequences may be found in the 2009-2011 CSUB catalog(plagiarism and cheating, p. 82; incomplete grades and withdrawals, p. 72). Please familiarize yourself with these policies as you will be expected to abide by them.
The last day to withdraw from class without a "W" being recorded isApril 18, 2011.
The last day to withdraw from class for a serious and compelling reason isMay 17, 2011.
("Serious and compelling" is not your call. The catalog explains that you must receive approval from the instructor and department chairman or school dean. Doing poorly in the class or finding yourself too busy to complete the class are not a serious and compelling reasons for withdrawal).
Students with disabilities should work with Disabilities Services (654-3360) and me to arrange appropriate support.
CSUB and Classroom Policies (continued):
Because discussion is such a big part of the class, attendance is required and is reflected in your participation points.
Cell phones must be turned off during class; if there is an important reason you must keep your phone on for a particular class meeting, check with me first, and set your phone to“vibrate .” Texting during class and earphones plugged into anything are also prohibited.
You may use a laptop to take notes during class if you wish, but all other computer activity (e.g., checking emails, viewing Internet sites) is not allowed.
Schedule
Date / Lecture Topics / Reading / Assignments dueW
March 30 / Overview
Causes of global poverty I / - / -
W
April 6 / Causes of global poverty II
Agency lottery / Singer, pp.xi-78 / Reflection #1
W
April 13 / Film: “The End of Poverty?” Part I / Singer, pp.81-173 / Reflection #2
(submit via email)
W
April 20 / Film: “The End of Poverty?” Part II Agency presentation preparation
Interview script preparation / Sachs, pp. 1-73 / Reflection #3
(submit via email)
W
April 27 / Causes of global poverty III / Sachs, pp. 210-287 / Reflection #4
Film critique
W
May 4 / Attempts to reduce global poverty
Wealth and quality of life
Agency presentations 1-4 / Sachs, pp. 288-368 / Reflection #5
W
May 11 / Mobilizing help I
Agency presentations 5-8 / Reserve #1 / Reflection #6
W
May 18 / Mobilizing help II
Agency presentations 9-12 / Reserve #2 / Reflection #7
Interview paper
W
May 25 / Barriers to helping
Agency presentations 13-15 / Reserve #3 / Reflection #8
W
June 1 / What you can do
Future of global poverty / Reserve #4 / -
W
June 8 / Finals week- no class
(Paper due in my office by 5 pm) / - / Final paper:
“What will I do?”