Course Descriptions

HS 271F — Social Psychological Approaches to Local and International Conflict

Meets for one-half semester and yields half-course credit.

Familiarizes the student with the current and emerging theories about the socio-psychological and bio-psychological/neurological causes of hatred and genocide, and social and identity violence. It will help students better understand the reasons for the development and the dynamics of inter-societal and international conflicts, and their management and resolution. It will address such questions as: Are conflicts between peoples and nations inevitable? Why do they erupt, and at particular times? Why do they often take so long to resolve? Why are so many people often willing to lose their lives in fighting? How do groups develop a hatred of other groups? How and why do ethnic, political, cultural, social or religious fundamentalism and divisions emerge, and how you deal with them? What social, psychological and biophysical needs, as well as contextual needs such as societal equality and inclusion, are important to address for conflict prevention, peacebuilding and post conflict reconciliation to be successful? Usually offered every year.
Ms. Fitzduff