The course deals with a sociological and historical perspective of Violence. The theoretical part of the
course will provide basic orientation in the phenomenon, its particular fields, issues, topics, ideas and
concepts. The practical part should mediate the view of violence through the eyes of people specializing
in violence on daily basis (f.e. armed forces personnel with foreign mission experience, lawyer,
professional fighter). The main aim is to provide better understanding of violence at different levels and
from different perspectives. In other words, the main goal of the course is to open the door to the
mysterious world of violence, which whether we like it or not, it's a part of human lives.
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (20.12.2022)
The course deals with a sociological and historical perspective of Violence. The theoretical part of the
course will provide basic orientation in the phenomenon, its particular fields, issues, topics, ideas and
concepts. The practical part should mediate the view of violence through the eyes of people specializing
in violence on daily basis (f.e. armed forces personnel with foreign mission experience, lawyer,
professional fighter). The main aim is to provide better understanding of violence at different levels and
from different perspectives. In other words, the main goal of the course is to open the door to the
mysterious world of violence, which whether we like it or not, it's a part of human lives.
Aim of the course -
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (20.12.2022)
After completing the course students are expected to answer to following questions: What is violence?
Are Humans naturally predisposed to violence? How does violence arise? What role does social
psychology play in violence research? What do the processes of dehumanization and deindividuation
mean? Who are the specialists in violence? What is the most extreme form of violence? Have violence
declined or is it rising? How people used and still using violence for their benefits? How violence has
changed over time? What is the role of violence in sport, culture and religion? How to deal with
violence?
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (20.12.2022)
After completing the course students are expected to answer to following questions: What is violence?
Are Humans naturally predisposed to violence? How does violence arise? What role does social
psychology play in violence research? What do the processes of dehumanization and deindividuation
mean? Who are the specialists in violence? What is the most extreme form of violence? Have violence
declined or is it rising? How people used and still using violence for their benefits? How violence has
changed over time? What is the role of violence in sport, culture and religion? How to deal with
violence?
Teaching methods -
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (20.12.2022)
Class sessions will consist of lectures and discussions. The course consists of 10 lectures and 2 special
discussion lessons with experts specializing in violence.
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (20.12.2022)
Class sessions will consist of lectures and discussions. The course consists of 10 lectures and 2 special
discussion lessons with experts specializing in violence.
Syllabus -
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (20.12.2022)
Lecture 1.
Introduction:
Structure of the course
Lecture 2.
What is violence?
Different definitions, forms and levels of violence
Violence transformed into numbers
Lecture 3.
How does violence arise?
The leading sociological theories of violence
The special concepts: J. Galtung, R. Collins, S. Maleševič,
Lectures 4.
Nature vs Nurture?
Are we genetically predisposed to violence?
Are we particularly violent creatures?
Lecture 5.
The rise or fall of violence?
Is the rate of violence on its rise or decline
Two main perspectives and arguments
Lecture 6.
Invited guest lecture I.
Students will discuss preprepared topics with expert specializing in violence
Guest: Jiří Pavlovský (decorated war veteran, participant in foreign mission in Kosovo 2000 -
Lecture 7.
What is the most extreme form of violence?
Why is genocide the most extreme form of violence?
What does the term genocide mean?
Why is important to study genocide?
Lecture 8.
Social psychology and violence
What social psychology has taught us about violence?
Zimbardo´s Stanford prison experiment
Milgram´s experiment on obedience to authority
Asch conformity experiment
Lecture 9.
The two cruelest psychological processes and violence
Dehumanization
Deindividuation
Lecture 10.
A role of violence in modern society?
Violence and Sport
Violence and Culture
Violence and Religion
Lecture 11.
When society accepts violence?
Justified violence
From Spartan education to MS-13 gang
Lecture 12.
Invited guest lecture II.
Students will discuss preprepared topics with expert specializing in violence
Lecture 13.
Final discussion and Test
Course completion requirements -
Last update: Mgr. Karel Bauer (05.02.2024)
Students are expected to take an active part in discussions during classes and attend classes regularly.
* Terms of passing the course First option: The student is obliged to pass a written test to successfully complete the course.
Second option: The student is obliged to write a final essay to successfully complete the course - Deadline: July 1st, 2024 (EMAIL: karel.bauer77@seznam.cz) - Final essay (1 500 - 1 800 words long) on a pre-agreed topic needs to contain exact references and to state all their sources, i.e., also a bibliography. - Clear, precise, and comprehensive citation is absolutely essential.
The course passing requirements may be adjusted slightly based on the number of students enrolled.
Last update: Mgr. Karel Bauer (05.02.2024)
Students are expected to take an active part in discussions during classes and attend classes regularly.
* Terms of passing the course First option: The student is obliged to pass a written test to successfully complete the course.
Second option: The student is obliged to write a final essay to successfully complete the course - Deadline: July 1st, 2024 (EMAIL: karel.bauer77@seznam.cz) - Final essay (1 500 - 1 800 words long) on a pre-agreed topic needs to contain exact references and to state all their sources, i.e., also a bibliography. - Clear, precise, and comprehensive citation is absolutely essential.
The course passing requirements may be adjusted slightly based on the number of students enrolled.
Learning resources -
Last update: Bc. Veronika Kučabová (20.12.2022)
Required reading:
COLLINS, R. 2008. Violence: A Micro-sociological Theory. Princeton, Oxford: Princeton
University Press.
MALEŠEVIČ, S. 2017. The Rise of Organised Brutality: A Historical Sociology of Violence.
Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press.
Recommended reading:
GALTUNG, J. “Cultural Violence” in Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 27, No. 3. (Aug., 1990),