Cognitive Science 0141 - The Social Psychology of Peace

This social psychology class focuses on contextual factors of and potential obstacles to pursuing peace and reconciliation following violent intergroup conflict. Themes that will be addressed include: the role of history and memory, perceptions of victimhood, group-based emotions, the desire for retribution, and ideology. The course will also address means of fostering reconciliation through justice mechanisms, apologies, and reparations. We will use a psychological lens through which to explore these issues, but other disciplinary perspectives will be highlighted and an interdisciplinary approach will be encouraged. Student evaluations will be based on class participation, written critical responses to selected readings, verbal summaries and presentations of selected readings, and a research proposal that will consist of a project proposal, a draft, and a final paper.

Mind, Brain, and Information Writing and Research Independent Work In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, preparing discussion questions and or summaries for class, coordination with fellow students for presentations, writing, and finding additional readings through the library and other sources. Instructor is Rachel Steel, Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology.