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I. Course Title: SPRb1130 – Human Behavior and the Violence
Fall 2021
Wednesday 14.00-15.40 (in class)
Course Credit: 5 Semester Credits
Instructor: Ande Nesmith (PhD), R.M.S.Kumara, (MA, MPhil, Ph.D. Student)
Email: skrasnayake@gmail.com
Consultant: Doc. PhDr. Pavel Navrátil, PhD. (FSS MU)
Email: navratil@fss.muni.cz
II. REQUIRED TEXTS
Alvarez, A. & Bachman, R. (2017). Violence: The Enduring Problem. 4th Ed. Sage Publications.
Noah, T. (2016). Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood. Spiegel & Grau.
Both textbooks are available in electronic sources of the FSS MU.
III. COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this course is to increase the knowledge and understanding of cultural, racial,
and interpersonal violence and develop a commitment to promoting a violence free, peaceful
society. The content includes exploration of the extent, contributing factors, effects of various
types of violence, and strategies for intervention and prevention. Special emphasis is given to
the integration of cultural and social diversity (race, ethnicity, social/economic class, gender,
age, and sexual orientation), to prevention, and to promotion of social justice.
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To identify, define and analyze various types of violence including cultural, racial, and
interpersonal violence.
2. To explore theoretical approaches to understanding violence.
3. To examine the social construction of and cultural/institutional sanctions for violence.
4. To understand the effects of violence, including psychological, physical, social, economic and
political.
5. To acknowledge values and assumptions regarding violence.
6. To examine culturally and historically sensitive approaches to dealing with survivors and
perpetrators of violence, with emphasis on prevention.
7. To identify the contributions of various disciplines such as nursing, public health, medicine, law,
law enforcement, education and social work to violence prevention.
8. To understand the critical role of social change in eliminating violence.
9. To strengthen a personal commitment to creating a violent free, peaceful society through
activism.
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V. COURSE POLICIES
Attendance and Participation (in-person)
Learning activities for this class may include: class discussions, case analysis, role-play exercises, multimedia
presentations, small group exercises, written assignments, lectures, invited lecturers.
Your thoughtful participation is essential both for your own learning and that of your classmates.
Naturally, if you miss a class, your contributions will be missed as well. Being on time and attending
regularly are extremely important aspects of social work professionalism. Furthermore, it would be
difficult, if not impossible, to learn from the readings alone. Coming prepared for the class includes
staying abreast of the reading and being prepared to participate in classroom activities.
It is acknowledged that individual beliefs about the treatment and rights of those who perpetrate
violence and their victims is a controversial and, at times, emotional subject. In addition, this course will
delve into areas of study and discussion that may cause discomfort for students. The classroom
environment, while intellectually challenging, shall also be regarded as an environment where students
can freely and safely express ideas and opinions. Each student (and the instructor) has developed
personal philosophies, opinions, and perhaps biases relating to the topic areas we will be investigating
this semester. Students are encouraged to explore the content of this course within the context of their
own experiences and share those experiences with other students in the class.
Attendance. It is expected that you attend all scheduled class sessions
Participation/Attendance Points
Active participation in class: 20 points
VI. Learning Environment
Ethics, Integrity, and Professional Behavior: Please use high professional and ethical standards both in
your interactions with colleagues and in your written work. Papers for this class are to be original work
rather than a recycled version of work from another class. Handing in work other than your own
personal work (plagiarism) will result in an automatic failing grade for that assignment. While it is
acceptable to study and work with colleagues in preparing assignments, papers must be written
independently and be your own work.
Plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs when one claims or submits as their own original work, the research,
ideas, or writings of another without acknowledging and explicitly identifying the source, regardless of
the quantity of material used. Plagiarism of any degree in a paper will minimally result in a zero for the
assignment and report of academic dishonesty to your advisor and the university administration.
Papers for this class are to be original work rather than a recycled version of work from another class.
Handing in work other than your own or recycled personal work will result in an automatic failing grade.
While it is acceptable to study and work with colleagues in preparing assignments, papers must be
written independently and be your own work. As such, all papers will be submitted using plagiarism
assessment software.
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Teaching Methods: This course will involve a variety of teaching methods including lectures, group
exercises, papers, class discussions, and, if safe to do so, field trips to local organizations or programs.
Respect for Differences: Although we may not all agree about our interpretations of particular issues,
we can agree that open dialogue carried on in a respectful manner is essential to the search for
knowledge and understanding. Let us pledge to listen and not withdraw from difficult discussions, listen
respectfully, and disagree with courtesy.
VII. Student Evaluation and Grading
Course requirements and assignments:
Active participation in class 20%
Violence topic presentation (group) 30%
Writing Academic Essay 50%
A. Summary of Assignments.
Below is a brief description of each assignment. Each assignment will be discussed in detail in class with
supporting documents posted on the course website. Please note that all written assignments are typed,
double-spaced, and turned in through Canvas.
Attendance and Participation (15 points). This class is a learning community; a group of people engaged
for the purpose of learning. Your participation is valued and central to your personal learning and the
quality of learning in the class as a whole. So, students must actively involve in-class activities;
discussions, reading articles/books/chapters, questioning etc.
Violence Topic Research Paper (50 points; 10-12 pgs.)
The purpose of this research paper is to synthesize the range of subject matter regarding violence that is
addressed throughout the course as applied to a particular relevant topic of your choosing. You will
investigate an issue related to violence, its source, its impact and strategies that might be employed to
address the problem(s), and how this plays out in at least two different locations globally. Possible
subjects might include but are not limited to: gender violence, workplace violence, racism, genocide, sex
trafficking, self-violence etc.
VIII. Evaluation and Grading: The following scale is used to determine final grades.
A (85-100%)
B (75-84%)
C (65-74%)
D (55-64%)
E (Below 55%)
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IX. Course topic, Fall 2020
Topic Readings
Defining violence
Violence and U.S. Culture Alvarez & Bachman:
Ch. 1 As American as Apple Pie
Theoretical Explanations of
Violence
Alvarez & Bachman ch. 2
pp. 35-53 Ethological & Biological Explanations of Violence
Theoretical Explanations of
Violence
Alvarez & Bachman ch. 2
pp. 53-68 Sociological Explanations of Violence
Gun violence and Murder Alvarez & Bachman:
Ch. 3 pp. 70-85 Guns and Violence
Ch. 4. Assault & Murder
Self-violence:suicide and
self-harm
World Health Organization. (2019). Suicide in the World; the Global Health
Estimates, pp. 6-18
Child abuse Alvarez & Bachman ch. 5 pp. 170-175 Child Abuse
Gender Violence; sex
trafficking; prostitution
Alvarez & Bachman ch. 5 pp. 145-169 Violence in the Home
Half the Sky documentary, (1st hour of part 1, in class)
Sexual Violence: Sexual
assault, Intimate Partner
Violence, DV: Guest speaker
Nora Smyth
Rothenberg Part IV: ch. 13 Sex Crimes on Campus
Smyth at 4:30
Sexual Violence: Sexual
assault
Alvarez & Bachman ch. 6 pp. 181-193 Rape & Sexual Assault
Half the Sky 2nd
half of part 1 (in class).
Violence and Race: Crowd
violence, lynching, race riots
Alvarez & Bachman:
ch. 7 pp. 238-247 Hate Crimes
ch. 8 Crowd Violence
Oppression based on gender
and ethnicity
Half the Sky TBD
Rothenberg Part VI ch. 1 Civilize them with a Stick
Terrorism and Genocide Alvarez & Bachman ch. 9 Terrorism
Mass Media and Violence Rothenberg Part VIII ch. 4 Media Magic: Making Class Invisible
Alvarez & Bachman ch. 3 pp.98-104 The Media & Violence
Effective violence
prevention / research
Alvarez & Bachman ch. 11 Toward Violence Prevention
Paper Due Dec. 30th