Nov 14, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2022-23

PSY 2540 - Psychology of Peace and Cooperation


This lecture- and discussion-based course introduces undergraduate students to the ways in which psychology can be used to further the study of peace between individuals, groups, and societies. The course is divided into five sections: (1) What psychology can contribute to the study of peace; (2) The psychology of peace at the individual/dispositional level; (3) The psychology of peace at the interpersonal/relational level; (4) The psychology of peace at the intergroup/collective level; and (5) Achieving peace and building cooperation in society. Students gain a greater appreciation of both psychological theories related to peace and application of these theories to real-world issues (e.g., how peace can actually be achieved).

Requisites: PSY 1010
Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS Arch: Connected World
General Education Code (students who entered prior to Fall 2021-22): 2SS
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 2.0 lecture, 1.0 discussion
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Course Transferability: OTM course: TMSBS Social & Behavioral Sciences
College Credit Plus: Level 1
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will be able to explain primary terminology, concepts, and findings of psychological theories of peace to real-world issues and current events.
  • Students will be able to apply the logic and methods related to the psychological study of peace.
  • Students will be able to design possible interventions aimed at achieving peace and building cooperation in social contexts.
  • Students will be able to critically state, describe, and consider the differences between productive and counterproductive means of achieving peace.
  • Students will be able to use information from sources with enough interpretation/evaluation to develop a comprehensive analysis of the different approaches to studying psychology of peace.
  • Students will be able to explain how knowledge of the psychology of peace and cooperation contributes to becoming an informed citizen.
  • Students will be able to describe ways that the research and findings in the study of peace and cooperation are influenced by the social identities of the investigators.
  • Students will be able to systematically and methodically analyze assumptions about peace and carefully evaluate the relevance of contexts when presenting a position on peace and cooperation.
  • Students will be able to state a specific position/perspective with respect to peace negotiations and recognize limitations.
  • Students will be able to state conclusions and related outcomes to peace and cooperation logically and in a priority order.


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