PSY280 Political psychology and
intergroup conflict
Fall 2018 Thursdays 10.00-11:30 Room: P22 (2nd
floor, Joštova 10)
Study level: Bc. (Undergraduate) Credits: 3 ECTS
Course is offered to both Masaryk University and exchange students.
Teaching starts on September 27th
, 2018.
Course objectives
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 civic identity, civic/political participation, or intolerant online communities. It also
emphasizes the applications to current political events in the Czech Republic and other
European countries.
Course guarantor and contact person
Dr. Jan Šerek
E-mail: serek@fss.muni.cz
Office: Joštova 10, room 2.51
Lecturers
Dr. Jan Šerek
Dr. Hana Macháčková
Course format
Course is conducted in the combined form of lectures and seminars. Active participation of
students in lectures and discussions is required. During the semester, students have to submit
three assignments and pass a final exam. Students are expected to follow updates in the
Information System and check their student e-mail accounts regularly. All required reading
materials will be available online in the Information System.
Topics
27. 9. Theories of intergroup conflict I (Šerek)
Lecture
4. 10. Theories of intergroup conflict II (Šerek)
Lecture
11. 10. Intergroup conflict in politics: The case of populism (Šerek)
Seminar with reading
Reading: 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/
18. 10. Extreme forms of intergroup conflict – terrorism and genocide (Šerek)
Lecture
25. 10. Reducing intergroup conflict I (Šerek)
Lecture
1. 11. Reducing intergroup conflict II (Šerek)
Seminar with reading
Reading: Paluck, E. L. (2012). Interventions aimed at the reduction of prejudice and
conflict. In L. R. Tropp (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of intergroup conflict (pp. 179-192).
New York: Oxford University Press.
8. 11. Reading week
No teaching
15. 11. The role of information and materials in media and on the internet I
(Macháčková)
Lecture
22. 11. The role of information and materials in media and on the internet II
(Macháčková)
Seminar with reading
Reading: Feldman, L. (2011). Partisan differences in opinionated news perceptions: A
test of the hostile media effect. Political Behavior, 33(3), 407-432.
29. 11. Cyberhate and online hateful communities I (Macháčková)
Lecture
6. 12. Cyberhate and online hateful communities II (Macháčková)
Seminar with reading
Reading: 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.
Evaluation and grading
The final grade depends on the following criteria:
1) Attendance maximum 20 points
Student’s attendance at seminars/lectures is awarded with maximum 20 points:
8 or more seminars/lectures = 20 points
7 = 16 points
6 = 12 points
5 = 8 points
4 = 4 points
3 and less = 0 points.
2) Assignments 4 x maximum 10 points
Before each “seminar with reading,” students have to submit an assignment. The
assignment must be based on the reading material for the specific seminar (please see
above). In the assignment, (1) briefly describe main points of the reading material (100-
150 words), (2) evaluate the reading material in terms of its clarity and cogency,
pinpoint its strengths/weaknesses and consider its implications – your own opinion
(supported by arguments) is highly expected here (200-250 words), (3) ask questions if
something from the reading material is unclear (optional). Overall, the assignment
must have between 300-500 words. One assignment meeting all criteria and submitted
in time is awarded with 10 points. Points will be deducted if the assignment does not
meet required criteria, has a poor quality, or is submitted after deadline (4 points will
be deducted for every day).
In total, four assignments have to be submitted (8. 10., 29. 10., 19. 11., 3. 12.).
Submit your assignments online in the Information System (see link below).
3) Exam maximum 40 points
There will be one exam (multiple choice quiz) at the end of the semester, covering the
lectures and assigned readings (all presentations and required readings will be available
online in the Information System).
Grades will be assigned based on the final summary score:
A 100-93
B 92-85
C 84-77
D 76-69
E 68-61
F 60 and less
Schedule
Date Time Teaching format Task
27. 9. 10:00-11:30 Lecture
4. 10. 10:00-11:30 Lecture
11. 10. 10:00-11:30 Seminar with reading Submit your assignment by
Monday 8. 10.
18. 10. 10:00-11:30 Lecture
25. 10. 10:00-11:30 Lecture
1. 11. 10:00-11:30 Seminar with reading Submit your assignment by
Monday 29. 10.
8. 11. Reading week (no teaching)
15. 11. 10:00-11:30 Lecture
22. 11. 10:00-11:30 Seminar with reading Submit your assignment by
Monday 19. 11.
29. 11. 10:00-11:30 Lecture
6. 12. 10:00-11:30 Seminar with reading Submit your assignment by
Monday 3. 12.
13. 12. 10:00 Exam
Important links
Study materials: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/1423/podzim2018/PSY280/um/
Assignment submissions: https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/1423/podzim2018/PSY280/ode/
Recommended (optional) literature
Abrams, D., Hogg, M. A., & Marques, J. M. (2005). The social psychology of inclusion and
exclusion. New York: Psychology Press.
Azzi, A. E., Chryssochoou, X., Klandermans, B., & Simon, B. (2011). Identity and participation in
culturally diverse societies: A multidisciplinary perspective. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Barrett, M., & Zani, B. (2015). Political and civic engagement: Multidisciplinary perspectives.
London: Routledge.
Bar-Tal, D. (2011). Intergroup conflicts and their resolution: A social psychological perspective.
New York: Psychology Press.
Dovidio, J. F., Hewstone, M., Glick, P., & Esses, V. M. (2013). The SAGE handbook of prejudice,
sterotyping and discrimination. London: SAGE.
Jones, J. M., Dovidio, J. F., & Vietze, D. L. (2014). The psychology of diversity: Beyond prejudice
and racism. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Loader, B. D. (2007). Young citizens in the digital age: Political engagement, young people and
new media. London: Routledge.
Nelson, T. D. (2016). Handbook of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. New York:
Psychology Press.
Sullivan, J. L., & Transue, J. E. (1999). The psychological underpinnings of democracy: A
selective review of research on political tolerance, interpersonal trust, and social capital.
Annual Review of Psychology, 50, 625-650.
Tropp, L. R. (2012). The Oxford handbook of intergroup conflict. New York: Oxford University
Press.