Landscapes of Injustice: Psychology and Social Change

What role can psychology play in the aftermath of collective trauma? What are the responsibilities psychologists have to those who have suffered catastrophe? How does psychology engage with the realities of survival? In this course, we will take a global and critical perspective on these questions, as we explore the ways in which psychology participates in social change. In particular, we will look at how psychology engages with the aftermath of collective injustice and upheaval by studying the issues of postwar communities, environmental crisis, exile and mental health repercussions, memorialization, and much more. Students will also be encouraged during the semester to inquire critically into the moral and ethical foundations of psychological theories, as we sketch the history and practice of participatory methods that seek to transform the plight of marginalized individuals and groups. Readings will bridge psychology, feminist and critical theory, and sociology. This is a course well-suited for students who are anxious to explore the ways in which psychology may engender social change.