Crimes against Humanity (Aut) (L5103A)

15 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

Why are human beings capable of extreme forms of cruelty and violence? This module engages with this question and we'll focus on the work of Sigmund Freud, Erich Fromm, Hannah Arendt, and Ernest Becker. 

You'll examine:

• the driving force of aggression, conflict and mass violence
• the psychological trauma experienced by victims
• the role of internal and external bystanders
• a range of psychoanalytical, psychological, sociological and criminological reflections on mass violence, psychological trauma and atrocity.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 20 hours of contact time and about 130 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.