PSY 4200 - Psychology and Political Activism

3 Credit(s) Hours: 3 hrs.

In recent years, multiple crises - political, economic, public health, and climate - have led to the reemergence of mass protests and social movements in the U.S. and around the world. This activism has won reforms and shifted public consciousness, suggesting even bigger changes to come. To better understand these processes and how we might contribute to them, this course examines the connection between psychology and political activism. We will ground our work in developmental and social psychological theories on the connection between mind and society. Then we will apply these theories to illuminate political and psychological experiences of oppression, alienation, solidarity, and liberation. We will explore how powerful social movements can transform the implicit and explicit attitudes of participants, supporters, and even opponents. We will connect psychological phenomena to political struggles for racial justice, economic equality, women’s and LGBT equality, disability rights, educational justice, and workers’ power. We will act by engaging our campus, communities, and New York City through an activist psychological lens.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 1100
Department: Behavioral Sciences