"Psychology of Evil" - Topics in Psychology

Instructors

• Gary L Phillips

Meeting Info

• Wieboldt Hall 506 - Sa 9:00AM - 4:00PM

• Overview of class

  This course focuses on the psychological understanding of evil. Beginning from a definitional perspective on evil, the course moves to theories of evil. The core of the course is explanation of Philip Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment in its original form with a current critique by Zimbardo of his findings in the original experiment. From this basis the psychological dimensions of evil are developed, leading to a description of major explanations of the reality of evil. Special attention will be paid to an understanding of evil as this area relates to the lives of members of the class.
  
  Presented in a five-week format (along with others during each academic term), to provide more flexible course schedule options, this course meets for five Saturdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm: 2/18, 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17. First class attendance is mandatory. Carries social science credit.

• Registration Requirements

  PSYCH 110 or equivalent

• Learning Objectives

  By the end of the course the student will be expected to achieve the following objectives: (1) develop an understanding of evil both from an historical viewpoint and current views of evil (2) comprehend Zimbardo's Stanfored Prison experiment in its basic dimensions (3) critique the findings of the Zimbardo Stanford Prison experiment (4) evaluate Zimbardo's assessment of the Stanford Prison experiment (5) articulate a personal theory of evil as it relates to the student's life.

• Teaching Method

  Case studiesClass participationDiscussionFilms / videosGroup work: weekly groups formed for discussion
  Guest speakersLectureReadings: weekly assigned readings
  Simulation / role-playWriting assignments

• Evaluation Method

  Attendance: 10%
  Class participation: 10%
  Group workHomeworkPaper, finalPaper, mid-termReadings

• Class Materials (Required)

  Course text will be The Lucifer Effect, by Philip Zimbardo, Random House, New York, ISBN # 978-1-4000-6411-3

Current as of 06/15/13 02:15:25 AM

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