PSYC 405 is Liberty's undergraduate course in group dynamics. Its written work is a 2-page concept paper with two peer-reviewed articles, a group research paper built through a topic, outline, references and final draft (each member writing an assigned section), and six forums (a 300-word thread and two 100-word replies).
Liberty's catalog lists the course as PSYC 405 Group Dynamics, 3 credit hours; Canvas and the course guide file print it as PSYC405.
What PSYC 405 covers
The catalog description: Students will gain an understanding of human personality in relationship to other persons, singularly, and in groups. This course will examine the principles of group dynamics to business, industry, and public and private life. Theories will be examined and demonstrated with exercises.
The course studies how groups form and function: cohesion, structure, influence, power, leadership, performance, decision making, teams, conflict and crowds. The text is Forsyth, Group Dynamics, 7th edition.
A midterm and final exam (290 points) have no guide here. Each week after Week 1 runs Tuesday to Monday, and the final week ends Friday.
Textbook named in the published guide: Forsyth, D. R. (2017). Group Dynamics, (7th ed). Stamford, CT: Cengage. Check the current edition in your Canvas section.
PSYC 405 assignments, week by week
Every graded written assignment in the published guide has its own how-to guide below. Quizzes, exams, checklists and class introductions are left out because there is nothing to write.
| Week | Assignment | Points | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discussion Board Forum 1 | 50 | Thread 300 words; replies 100 words each |
| 2 | Concept Paper | 100 | 2 pages |
| 2 | Group Research Paper Topic | 10 | Not set in the guide; follow the assignment instructions |
| 3 | Discussion Board Forum 2 | 50 | Thread 300 words; replies 100 words each |
| 3 | Group Research Paper Outline | 50 | Not set in the guide; follow the assignment instructions |
| 4 | Discussion Board Forum 3 | 50 | Thread 300 words; replies 100 words each |
| 5 | Discussion Board Forum 4 | 50 | Thread 300 words; replies 100 words each |
| 5 | Group Research Paper References | 50 | Not set in the guide; follow the assignment instructions |
| 6 | Discussion Board Forum 5 | 50 | Thread 300 words; replies 100 words each |
| 7 | Group Research Paper Final Draft | 200 | Not set in the guide; follow the assignment instructions |
| 8 | Discussion Board Forum 6 | 50 | Thread 300 words; replies 100 words each |
Week 1: Discussion Board Forum 1
A 300-word thread on the week's group dynamics topic, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 405 Week 1 Discussion Board Forum 1.
Week 2: Concept Paper
A 2-page paper on one concept from the textbook, using at least 2 peer-reviewed journal articles and the textbook. How to write PSYC 405 Week 2 Concept Paper.
Week 2: Group Research Paper Topic
Your group's chosen topic from the approved list, divided into subtopics for each member. How to write PSYC 405 Week 2 Group Research Paper Topic.
Week 3: Discussion Board Forum 2
A 300-word thread on the week's group dynamics topic, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 405 Week 3 Discussion Board Forum 2.
Week 3: Group Research Paper Outline
Your group's outline of the research paper, organized by the assigned subtopics. How to write PSYC 405 Week 3 Group Research Paper Outline.
Week 4: Discussion Board Forum 3
A 300-word thread on the week's group dynamics topic, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 405 Week 4 Discussion Board Forum 3.
Week 5: Discussion Board Forum 4
A 300-word thread on the week's group dynamics topic, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 405 Week 5 Discussion Board Forum 4.
Week 5: Group Research Paper References
Your group's reference list for the research paper. How to write PSYC 405 Week 5 Group Research Paper References.
Week 6: Discussion Board Forum 5
A 300-word thread on the week's group dynamics topic, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 405 Week 6 Discussion Board Forum 5.
Week 7: Group Research Paper Final Draft
The group's final research paper, with each member's assigned section researched and written individually. How to write PSYC 405 Week 7 Group Research Paper Final Draft.
Week 8: Discussion Board Forum 6
A 300-word thread on the week's group dynamics topic, then two 100-word replies. How to write PSYC 405 Week 8 Discussion Board Forum 6.
How PSYC 405 is graded
The published guide totals 1,010 points. The six forums are 50 each (300), the concept paper 100, the group paper topic 10, outline 50, references 50 and final draft 200, exams 290 and the checklist 10.
| Graded item | Points |
|---|---|
| Discussion Board Forums (6) | 300 |
| Concept Paper | 100 |
| Group Research Paper Topic | 10 |
| Group Research Paper Outline | 50 |
| Group Research Paper References | 50 |
| Group Research Paper Final Draft | 200 |
| Exams (2) | 290 |
| Course Requirements Checklist | 10 |
The published scale puts an A at 900 to 1010 points.
Week timing in the published guide: Each course week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.
How to approach PSYC 405
Your group chooses a topic from the approved list in Week 2, and the leader divides it into subtopics, one per member; agree on deadlines early.
The concept paper is due in Week 2 as well, so start it in Week 1.
Questions students ask
What is the PSYC 405 group research paper?
A paper on an approved group dynamics topic, divided by the group leader into equal subtopics; each member researches and writes an assigned section, posted to the group board for review and to the assignment link, built through a topic, outline, references and final draft.
What is the PSYC 405 concept paper?
A 2-page paper on one concept from the textbook, using at least 2 peer-reviewed journal articles and the textbook.
Working through PSYC 405 now?
Tell us the week and the assignment. A tutor who knows the course replies with a plan for the draft.