POLS/PSYC 294: Obedience, Conformity, and Courage in Political Affairs
Course Description
It is often difficult to explain the success and failure of individuals in politics and public affairs. But we must try! In this course we use basic concepts and theories in the fields of psychology and political science to examine how and why people sometimes rise to the level of courageous behavior in pursuit of noble goals. Likewise we consider why people often succumb to pressures to obey or conform to the expectations of others even when they know they should do otherwise. Several well known experiments and case studies related to the practices of torture and “whistleblowing” will considered in depth.
During the semester you will be reading two books and a variety of articles, as well as viewing a number of videos. There will be frequent class discussions of what you've read and seen, and the thinking they have encouraged. During the Thanksgiving vacation, you will be interviewing a parent, close relative, or family friend; those interviews will be the primary source material for a paper that you will write soon after you return. The final weeks of the course will be devoted to class presentations and discussions of these interviews and papers.
You will be evaluated on the basis of two tests, a final examination, and the paper. The following tables give the point value of each activity, and the number of total points required for each grade.
| Activity | Points | % of total | Points | %age | Grade | |
| Test 1 | 50 | 20% | 233 | 93.3% | A | |
| Test 2 | 50 | 20% | 225 | 90.0% | A- | |
| Final Exam | 75 | 30% | 217 | 86.7% | B+ | |
| Paper | 75 | 30% | 208 | 83.3% | B | |
| 200 | 80.0% | B- | ||||
| Total | 250 | 100% | 192 | 76.7% | C+ | |
| 183 | 73.3% | C | ||||
| 175 | 70.0% | C- | ||||
| 167 | 66.7% | D+ | ||||
| 158 | 63.3% | D | ||||
| 150 | 60.0% | D- | ||||
| <150 | <60.0% | E |
We expect perfect class attendance. The table below shows the number of points that will be deducted based upon the number of class absences. We'd be delighted to record a 0 for each of you!
|
|
Points |
|
|
Points |
|
Absences |
Deducted |
Absences |
Deducted |
|
|
1 |
0 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
2 |
0 |
9 |
16 |
|
|
3 |
0 |
10 |
32 |
|
|
4 |
0 |
11 |
64 |
|
|
5 |
1 |
12 |
100 |
|
|
6 |
2 |
>12 |
100 |
|
|
7 |
4 |
|
|
Required books
Milgram, S. (1975). Obedience to Authority. New York: Harper Torchbooks.
Zimbardo, P. (2008). The Lucifer Effect. New York: Random House.
Course Calendar
We start with a skeleton Course Calendar. Throughout the semester we will add specific reading assignments for each class. It is your responsibility to check the Course Calendar frequently, for added assignments.
Links
Dr. Thomas Blass Presents: Stanley Milgram.com
Phillip Zimbardo's Lucifer Effect website
Reconciliation in Rwanda--Stories of Rescue
Additional Research on the Amygdala
Google: Sibel Edmonds (among several FBI whistleblowers)
and Lt. Col. Martha McSally (USAF)WHISTLEBLOWERS
Government Accountability Project (GAP)
http://www.whistleblower.org/template/index.cfm
National Whistleblowers Center
http://www.whistleblowers.org/index.php
