Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalogue 
    
2020-2021 Academic Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

PS 329X - Psychology of Genocide


Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Credit Hours: 3

“Never again” becomes more than a slogan: It’s a prayer, a promise, a vow. There will never again be hatred, people say. Never again jail and torture. Never again the suffering of innocent people, or the shooting of starving, frightened, terrified children. And never again the glorification of base, ugly, dark violence. It’s a prayer.” -Elie Wiesel.  In one of the most well-known uses of “Never Again,” Elie Wiesel is not only discussing the Holocaust, but all mass atrocities. But did Wiesel believe… can we believe… such a simple slogan in the face of such a complicated issue? Or is “Never Again,” a dream, a hope, a prayer? In this course you will use psychological theories to evaluate genocide through the historic lens of perpetrators, victims and bystanders. Course topics include interdisciplinary, and cross cultural views that a) define human rights, genocide and war crimes, b) analyze psychology and cultural context of political leaders, c) understand cultures of violence and peace, d) identify hate, prejudice and discrimination, e) evaluate helping behaviors and consequences and f) consider reconciliation, peace keeping and forgiveness. This course should take on average 9 hours a week. Note: Civilizations and Cultures Course (X).