War and Peace: Human Rights in European History Spring 2017 PAX 301 Advanced Peace Studies Seminar Tues/Thurs 2:00-3:30

Dr. Sherri Pataki Office Hours: Hoyt Science Center 126 Mon/Wed/Fri 2:00-3:00 [email protected] Tues 3:30-4:30 (724) 946-7361 Others by appointment

“…True, we are often too weak to stop injustices; but the least we can do is to protest against them. True, we are too poor to eliminate hunger, but in feeding one child, we protest against hunger. True, we are too timid and powerless to take on all the guards of all the political prisons in the world; but in offering our solidarity to one prisoner we denounce all the tormentors. True, we are powerless against death; but as long as we help one man, one woman, one child live one hour longer in safety and dignity, we affirm man’s right to live.” Elie Wiesel, Sages and Dreamers Nobel Peace Prize Winner Auschwitz Survivor September 1928- July 2016

Cluster Description In the cluster “War and Peace,” students will examine human rights in Europe and the world from the French Revolution to the contemporary role of the United Nations in protecting human rights. Students will also explore the causes and consequences of “good” and “evil” from a social psychological perspective.

Cluster Objective To understand the Holocaust and apply its lessons to prevent conflict and genocide today.

PAX 301 introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of Peace Studies. Students will apply social psychological theory and research to understand the underlying causes and consequences of violence and nonviolence. Students will participate in service learning in the local community to acquire hands on experience in social action.

The desired student outcomes for PAX 301 are to: Identify and discuss the psychological causes and consequences of violence and non-violence. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and awareness of the Holocaust within its historical context. Develop opportunities for community engagement and acquire hands on experience through service learning. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and address contemporary issues related to human rights and conflict through research, advocacy, and social action.

Required Reading for PAX 301 The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil (2007) by .

Positive as Social Change (2011) by Robert Biswas-Diener. Available as an e-book through McGill Library.

Prosocial Motives, Emotions, and Behavior: The better angels of our nature (2010) edited by Mario Mikulincer and Phillip R. Shaver.

All other course readings will be handed out in class or available online.

The final grade for PAX 301 will be based on the following: Class participation 5% Exams (2 exams and a final, 25% each) 75% Final project and presentation 20% (shared grade with HIS 102)

Participation Students are responsible for attending all classes and for completing the assigned readings and homework assignments prior to class. Students are strongly encouraged to participate actively and to ask questions during class.

Exams Exams will consist of short answer and/or short essay questions based on assigned readings, films, discussion speakers, and class activities. Please note: you are responsible for all material covered in the assigned readings even if it is not covered during class, and all material covered in class (including speakers, films, and handouts).

Accessibility Statement Westminster College actively strives for the full inclusion of all our students. Students with disabilities who require access solutions for environmental or curricular barriers should contact Faith Craig, Director of Disability Resources, located in 209 Thompson-Clark Hall at (724) 946-7192, or email: [email protected].

Statement on Academic Integrity All students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Forms of academic dishonesty include (but are not limited to): cheating on an exam, lending your work to other students to turn it in as their own, or copying and turning in another person’s work as one’s own (e.g., another current or previous student's work or material taken from the Internet). Students caught participating in such an activity will receive a course grade of "F." If you have any questions regarding academic integrity, please feel free to discuss your questions or concerns with the instructor.

Course Schedule, PAX 301

Week 1 Jan 17 Introduction to Peace Studies Jan 19 Lucifer Effect Chapter 1, The Psychology of Evil Film: Oprah’s interview of Elie Wiesel

Week 2 Jan 24/26 Lucifer Effect Chapter 1, The Psychology of Evil Film: Stanford Prison Experiment

Week 3 Jan 31/Feb 2 Lucifer Effect Chapter 10, Character Transformations Film: Obedience to Authority

Week 4 Feb 7/9 Lucifer Effect Chapter 12, Power, Conformity, and Obedience Film: Brown Eyes/Blue Eyes

Week 5 Feb 14 Lucifer Effect Chapter 13, Deindividuation, Dehumanization, and the Evil of Inaction Feb 16 Exam #1

Week 6 Feb 21 Film: America and the Holocaust Feb 23 Lucifer Effect Chapter 16, Celebrating Heroism

Week 7 Feb 28 Fagin-Jones & Midlarsky (2007). Courageous Altruism. (online) Prot (2012). Strength of Holocaust Survivors. (online) Mar 2 Positive Psychology Through Social Change (e-book), Chapter 12 Better Living through Perspective Taking

Week 8 Mar 7 Staub (2013). Building a Peaceful Society. (online) Mar 9 Positive Psychology Through Social Change (e-book), Chapter 13 Investing in Others: Prosocial Spending for (Pro)social change

Mar 14/16 Spring break!

Week 9 Mar 21 Hill & Turiano (2014). Purpose in Life. (online). Mar 23 Exam #2

Tentative Course Schedule for Weeks 10-15*

*Speakers and field trip to the Holocaust Center and the Jewish Agency for Family and Children in Pittsburgh, date/time to be announced.

Week 10 Mar 28/30 Better Angels Chapter 1, Empathy-induced altruistic motivation

Week 11 Apr 4/6 Better Angels Chapter 3, Enduring Goodness

Week 12 Apr 11 Better Angels Chapter 12, Basic Values

Apr 13 Easter break!

Week 13 Apr 20 Better Angels Chapter 20, Empathy and Intergroup Relations (Monday classes meet on April 18).

Week 14 April 25/27 Positive Psychology Through Social Change (e-book), Chapter 18 Changing the World: The Science of Transformative Action

Week 15 May 2/4 Class Presentations

Finals Period: The final exam is on Tuesday, May 9, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm.