FRS 002 — Sec. 025 — (2 units) — CRN 94077— R 12:10-2:00pm — 25 Wellman
An Investigation into Human Evil

Instructor: Rachel Edelson, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine

Description: This seminar comprises multiple readings on contemporary perspectives, psychological and sociological, concerning the origins and development of human evil. The two main approaches to the topic involve ideas on evil within the individual (Freud's concept of repression, Jung's concept of the shadow) versus the effect of the group on the individual (all other readings.) The final assignment, Tim O'Brien's novel In the Lake of the Woods, will consolidate most ideas of the course.

REQUIRED BOOKS:
Roy Baumeister: Evil - Inside Human Violence and Cruelty
Daniel Goleman: Vital Lies, Simple Truths - the Psychology of Self-Deception
Eric Hoffer: The True Believer - Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements
Tim O'Brien: In the Lake of the Woods

Format: Each week, students will write a typed, 500 - 750 word response to the readings. There will also be a collage essay (to be explained) due after the last class, on a topic chosen by the student. This course will be letter graded. Grading: the grade is based on quality of class participation (10%); final essay (15%); and quantity and quality of weekly written homework assignments (75%).

About the Instructor: Rachel Edelson is a Clinical Faculty Member of the Department of Psychiatry. Her graduate degrees are in Education and English. She also teaches College Composition and Advanced Critical Thinking at Sacramento City College.