PSY 491

Psychology Seminar 491-03

Spring 2005

The Holocaust and Human Behavior: A look at the Rise of Nazism and the development of genocide. With a broad  focus on the perpetrators, victims, survivors and bystanders --As Part of the ongoing study of The Psychology of Massive Human Destructiveness and Human Survival

The seminar will look at the conditions under which genocide can become a state sponsored program and the analysis of the genocide and those who made it happen. We will look at the conditions of, the events themselves, the perpetrators and the consequences, in an effort to understand the human dynamics. We will also look at the victims and survivors, to help understand the nature of coping under traumatic stress, and the resiliency of the human spirit. We will also look at the bystanders to broaden our scope of  study for all aspects of human behavior during this period. We will use books, handouts, videos and possibly survivors themselves to understand what happened. There will be three take-home exams.

Additional seminars will look at the Nature of Prejudice and Social Change and Movements with a particular emphasis on the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement.

Videos:

Websites:

Excellent Links to Choose From

Syllabus:

1) PSY 491/492 ‘The Psychology of Massive Human Destructiveness and Human Survival’- The Holocaust and Human Behavior’- Prejudice, Hate and Social Change. Areas of Study taught as part of a systematic effort to understand the darker side of Human Behavior and the Nature of Survival.

2) Dr. Jerry Rosenberg
372 Gordon Palmer
348-1918
E-mail: jrosenberg@jeromerosenberg.com

E-mail: jrosenbe@bama.ua.edu

3) The course is an advanced seminar for Psychology majors. The course will focus on the Psychological dimensions of the Holocaust, looking at the setting, the perpetrators, the victims and survivors.

4) The course has a Core Curriculum “W” designation. This means that writing proficiency is a requirement for passing the seminar. There will be at least three and possibly four take home exams that will require a scholarly essay on the specific exam question. This is an advanced course and operates with the assumption of a strong basic background in Psychology as well as a strong overall education, befitting a senior in college.

5) The prerequisites for this course are at least 12 hours in Psychology, senior major status or permission of the instructor.

6) The objectives of this course include:

1. To learn the factual events of the Holocaust
2. To identify and understand the trends and forces that lead to the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust
3. To Psychologically study the behaviors of the perpetrators as well as the victims and survivors and the bystanders
4. To obtain a greater sensitivity to the nature of human destructiveness and dehumanization
5. To obtain a greater sensitivity to the nature of victimization
6. To work toward developing a Behavioral Model for the Holocaust

7) The required texts are: subject to change each semester. Additional readings will be given out in class.

8) All specific assignments are detailed on the class calendar. For all papers, they must be typed and follow either APA writing style or other writing formats. Whichever format is chosen, it must be used consistently and if not one of the standard scholarly formats, should be cleared with the instructor.

9) There will be at least three and possibly four take home exams. The exams and their due dates will be given out with the class calendar. Each paper will be graded and returned with detailed feedback on writing skill and content knowledge and critical thinking ability. Each exam is of equal value but steady improvement over the semester will help in determining the final grade where the grade is borderline. Each paper is expected to respond to the prior papers feedback and should reflect a responsive improvement. The writing grade will be based on the cumulative and progressive improvement across each exam and in relationship to the feedback on each prior exam. The exam questions will follow an evolving sequence of growing knowledge and will build on prior questions and prior answers. The last take home exam question, which will pull the entire semester together, will serve as the final exam for the course.

10) The final grade will be determined by the exams described above. The grades are not curved and each student will receive the grade they have earned. There are no provisions for extra credit work, since the take home exams, if done well, are sufficient for meeting all class requirements. The papers are due on the specific date identified on the calendar for each exam question, and any changes will be made jointly between the instructor and the class. For each day the exam is late, the grade will be lowered and every four days will constitute one full letter grade. If there are problems, please notify me as far in advance as you can. If there are emergencies, notify me as soon as possible.

11) Attendance is expected for every class and promptness to class allows us to begin on time and take full advantage of the full class period. Roll will be taken each class. While two unexcused absences are allowed, a missed class is still a missed class, and meeting only once a week, makes a missed class an even greater loss. Everything covered in each class, present or not, is the responsibility of the student. Excessive absences will have an effect on the final grades in two ways: 1. if the grade is borderline, the lower option will be given if there are excessive absences, and 2. if the number of absences, excused or otherwise, exceed a third of the classes scheduled, it will mean that not enough of the class material could have been adequately learned, and a meeting with the student will be necessary to discuss options. This is particularly true since a significant amount of material will be presented in class through archival and other videos.

12) A class calendar, assignments, take home exam questions and due dates, holidays and other scheduling information are on the class calendar.

13) Academic Misconduct: Any case of Academic Misconduct will be reported to the Academic Misconduct monitor for the College of Arts and Sciences.

14) Disability Access Statement: "To request disability accommodations, please contact Disability Services (348-4285). After initial arrangements are made with that office, contact your professor."