Course Manual: Violence as a human behavior (PSY 3045)

Ashoka University
Semester: Summer 2019 Class Timing and Location: T-F 11am-1pm; AC002 TR006

Disclaimer: Everything in this syllabus is tentative and we can deviate from it contingent on student
Instructor
feedback and instructors’ discretion about improving learning inside or outside
the classroom.
Simantini Ghosh, PhD
Course Overview
Phone
Violence is a widespread and complex issue that has been part of human
0130-2300664 behavior through time. In this class, we will tease violence apart in multiple axes,
but usually in a data driven fashion. In the first half of the course we will break
Email (Preferred violence down to its elemental blocks using concepts from neurobiology,
method of biochemistry, genetics, psychology, evolution and epigenetics. The second half of
communication) this course will reassemble fundamental types of violence based on religion,
Simi@ashoka.edu.in politics, gender and socioeconomic structures using the concepts discussed.
Prospective students are encouraged to approach the material as part of a
journey to understand violence. Each member of the class might arrive at a
Office Location
different conclusion about violence at the end of the course, but the goal of the
New Academic Block class is to provide them with different frameworks to interpret and analyze data
AC02-351 about violence to reach at their conclusion. This class is MOSTLY taught as an
advanced seminar with a flipped classroom style. The instructor will play the
Office Hours role of a faculty moderator of student led discussion. Each week few research
by appointment articles, reviews, book chapters or articles from the media will be discussed by
students, with the entire class being an active participant in discussion. All
students will be expected to participate in class discussion as come to class
having done the readings for the day.
Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Develop understanding of violence using an ecological framework

2. Understand the epidemiology, etiology and risk factors for violent behaviors in a population, with
special focus on cultural underpinnings
3. Learn the apparent disciplinary conflicts in approaching violence as a matter of study and how to
resolve them.
4. Learn about good psychometric and sociological questionnaires and instruments to measure
aggression and violence.
5. Understand what strategies are most effective at preventing violence and the value or restorative
justice, not just retributive justice, when it comes to long term solutions.
6. Understand how to interpret primary and secondary data from primary literature and reports, and
effective ways to present them and develop public speaking skills.

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Course Reading
All References in the schedule. Link to the class webpage and detailed course schedule with readings and
deadlines
Course Websites, Logistics and Class Schedule:
This class will be run in the google classroom app. (PSY3045 on Google Classroom)
Google classroom course code: hu0vda8
All submissions of assignments through: Turnitin: Class ID: 21514716 Enrollment Key: PSY3045
Class Schedule with readings :
Course structure and class layout

 The first class on 2/7/2019 will be an introductory session for discussing the syllabus followed by a
lecture. The students should come to class having read this course manual and with questions if any.
 The second class will be devoted to a workshop on presentation skills and do’s and don’ts of
presentations. Students should use what is learnt in this workshop to make their presentations for
the course
 Student workload: Since this is a short (6 week course) but allows for 4 credits, the workload is
condensed and intense. Each student will be expected to devote around 24 hours to the course. Out
of this, 8 hours will be spent in class in contact with the instructor, leaving around 16 hours for
students to work on the materials themselves. Therefore, be prepared to devote slightly more than 2
hours every day for this course for your own preparation, or you can fit the 16 hours in your schedule
according to your preferences.
 Every week students will be introduced to two broad topics. Tuesdays and Thursdays, the instructor
will open the topic with a 45-60 minute lecture and the rest of the class will be spent on discussing
the readings for the day or online/paper and pen activities related to the topic. Each student will be
expected to come to class having done the readings for the day and with 3-4 discussion question.
 Wednesdays and Fridays are student presentation days. Each day there will be three articles, each
will be presented by a student. Over 6 weeks , 11 presentation days. 11X3 = 33 presentation slots.
Each student must do at least 2 presentations. Papers will be uploaded by the instructor and the
students can indicate which papers they will be presenting on the sign up sheet. Each 2 hr class on
Wednesday and Friday will involve 3 student presentations (30 minute each, 25 min for
presentation+5 minute for questions) followed by a half an hour discussion. Each member of the
class will be expected to participate in this discussion and one student alongside the faculty will be
the moderator for this discussion.

Grading components

Item Grade Deadline

Percent
Attendance & Participation 10%

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 This is assessed throughout the course by the instructor and
every student will be given a band score out of 5 for all classes.
At the end, the average of their scores scaled to ten will be
used.
Rubric:
0- Absent
1- Present but minimally engaged
2- Present, alert but not engaging actively
3- Present, moderately engaged, but not making good
observations or asking good questions, just making obvious
statements
4- Present and well engaged in class, raising at least one good
questions or a critically important observation
5- Present and exceptionally well engaged in class raising good
questions and observations, with often steering discussions

Class Presentations (20X2) 40%

Each student is required to do a minimum of two
presentations in class, presenting articles listed in the
schedule. For every presentation, there will be three or four
questions, with some references given to help you prepare.
Each student will tackle one question. Your presentation will
involve making a power point file and should include actual
data tables and graphs to substantiate any claim that you take.
Statistical literacy will be helpful. Each presentation will be on a
25+5 format (presentation and questions). At the end of class,
everyone is required to upload their presentation in the
dedicated google classroom folder.

Written Assignments: 50%

Weekly essay: 25%

Every week, the instructor will introduce some learning

objectives/questions/prompts for each of the two topics
started. Students are required to submit a quarter page to 1
page (1.15 spacing, 11 point font) at the end of every week
(Fridays 6pm) where they will describe their learning and
further questions arising from engaging with this topic. Each
submission will be given a +++, ++, + or – rating by the
instructor.
More instructions about the format and content for each of
these reports will be given as class proceeds

At the end of the course out of 6 submissions, students will be

given a band score, between 0-5 which will be scaled to 25% of
the course grade
loosely, the bands will be determined by the following bounds

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 5 or above- 4 or more +++
4- At least 2 +++
3- At least 2 ++
2- At least 1 ++
1 – No ++

1- 3 or more -

However,

The first submission: Critical Reflection- I The purpose of this

assignment (750 words minimum) is to help you examine and
clarify your personal perspective (values, attitudes and
beliefs) about aggression and violence. This paper is intended
to be YOUR perspective. As such, you do not have to
reference any outside readings or resources. In completing
this assignment, you may wish to consider the following
questions:
- Can you identify ways in which gender, culture,
social setting, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic class
or upbringing affected your beliefs about the
origins or expressions of aggression / violence?
- Can you identify any assumptions you may have about
aggression / violence? If so, what are the norms and
beliefs in your background that have influenced these
assumptions?
- Have you ever experienced any forms of aggression /
violence against you? (This is entirely up to you to
disclose, to the extent you feel comfortable)
- Have you witnessed experiences of aggression / violence
against others that have impacted you? Have you
engaged in any forms of aggression / violence against
others?
- In thinking through this assignment, did you have any
particular insights that surprised you?

The last submission:

- Revisit Critical Reflection I and address if any of the
questions mentioned in your earlier assignments changed
after material you came across in the course, and if so
how?
- How has the learning in this course affected your notions of
violence? Did it make a difference, if so how? If not so,
why?

Analytical Essay (1500-2000 words) 25%

Each student can pick a statement from a pool of statements

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 given by the instructor. The student will have to write a critical
argument paper, either agreeing to or refuting the statement
or taking a completely different stance. Whatever claim is
made, will have to be backed up by evidence from research
papers. Further details about this assignment will be updated
on the course website.

Formatting for assignments: All written assignments should be completed in 11-point Arial or Calibri,
double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and APA-formatted references. All assignments must be submitted
via turnitin. No exceptions.
 Turnitin Class ID: 21514716 Enrollment Key: PSY3045
 Please do not email me assignments as attachments. Written assignments should be submitted as
Word documents and not PDFs. Word counts are exclusive of references.
 Instructor will create a spreadsheet to sign up for presentations. Please sign up for your presentations at
least 2-3 weeks ahead of time.
 ALL DEADLINES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. For weekly submissions, each 24 hr delay with result in a
rating cut to the next lower band.
 All submissions are electronic and through turn it in. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO ME.

 Audit requirements
o Any student who wants to audit this class will need to submit the weekly essays. Successfully
auditing this course – a band score of at least 2.
o Any student auditing the class will have to come to class having done the readings of the day.
o Any student auditing the class will also have to participate in class discussions and do one
presentation

 Calculation of final grades

o Your weighted scores from each section above will be summated to generate a final score out of
100
o You will be finally graded based on relative cluster grading. Be aware that this is not grading on a
curve. Neither this is relative grading or absolute grading o
o A class grade curve is constructed. If the clusters are well separate, then the boundaries are easier
to determine
 The Top score need not be an A automatically, A is outstanding- in the pool of all students
at your level (undergraduate or graduate), is your performance in the course able to stand
apart from the peer group? That will qualify you for an A, rather than a top score.
 Where the letter grades start for the class grade curve will be determined by the professor,
based on her understanding of the performance of the class overall
 The instructor determines the grade boundaries based on multiple factors. If the scores
only show a difference in 0.5 or less, the instructor might consider performance and
engagement in class, a particularly well written assignment or exam, or practicum

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 associated with the course. Once a grade boundary is determined on the score curve
however, anyone below or above it will be fall into the respective categories.
o Smaller classes and bigger classes tend to have very differently shaped grade curves
o Your weighted scores from each section above will be summated to generate a final score out of
100
o A class grade curve will be constructed and you will be finally graded based on relative cluster
grading.
o Sample Grade Curve from a previous class

o Please remember, A- Outstanding, B- Very Good, C-

Adequate, D- Less than Adequate and F-Fail. No student is entitled to an A just by turning up for
the class. Your work truly needs to stand out among your peers to get an A. There is no point cut
off for any grade- the class curve will determine how good or bad you have done in comparison to
your peers and that gets you your final letter grade. Find the updated Ashoka University Grading
system here. https://lms.ashoka.edu.in/Contents/Masters/OrientationMaterial_View.aspx. This is
quoted from the grading policy document from the Ashoka University Grading policy Document:

A, A–   Excellent quality and full mastery of the subject. A grade of A means extraordinary
distinction.
 B+, B, B– Good comprehension of the course material, a good command of the skills needed
to work with the course material, and the student’s full engagement with the course
requirements and activities.
 C+, C, C– Adequate comprehension of the course material and the skills needed to work
with the course material. Indicates the student has met the basic requirements for
completing assigned work and participating in class activities.
 D+, D, D– Barely satisfactory work indicating minimal command of the course materials and
minimal participation in class activities.
 F   unsatisfactory and unworthy of course credit towards the degree.
o Grades can be moderated by the instructor based on her assessment of student performance,
which cannot be measured simply by scores.
o Grade appeals are not allowed carte blanche. The weekly submission and the presentations cannot
be regraded. Only the book review can be appealed to be regraded.
For the final assignment, regrades can be requested by emailing the instructor. There is no
guarantee that your scores will increase. They might remain same or even reduce after re-
evaluation.

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Course policies

 Academic Honesty and Plagiarism:

o In view of the rampant instances of plagiarism reported and detected in the past, the
instructor will be hyper vigilant about plagiarism.
o If the software detects plagiarism in your work, you will lose the entire grade component for
that assignment and depending whether this is the first time or a repeat offense, the citation
of plagiarism (that includes copying in an examination) will be reported to the Office of
Academic Affairs
o This applies to any written or presented work required for the course.
o Copying verbatim and including the citation in the references is still plagiarism
o Circulating the same essay for different courses is plagiarism
o For more understanding on this issue here are a few links from the undergraduate writing
center of Harvard University. The last link will take you to the LMS system of Ashoka which
contains the official plagiarism policy.
What constitutes plagiarism?
Why is plagiarism a big deal?
Ashoka University’s policy on plagiarism found here
o The CWC workshops on plagiarisms are also an excellent resource to understand the
seriousness of this issue
 Social Media Policy:
o Unless needed by an assignment, class is a no gadget zone. Please switch your phones off.
o People have negative feelings about courses and instructors. It is common and no one denies
that happens. Student feedback, anonymous and named, are welcome. However, it is
unprofessional to rant on social media about your grievances, and it doesn’t help anyone. This
is an earnest and humble request to approach the TA and the instructor about any issues you
are having with the course before you take matters to social media.
o I am VERY open to student feedback/criticism at any time. Shoot me an email and setup a
time to come see me about anything that is bothering you about the course.
 Attendance
o Attendance will be taken every day for records. If you have missed >4 classes it will lead to a
fail grade.
o Leaving classrooms for extended periods of time while class is in session is not permitted. You
will be marked absent.
o If you leave earlier than 30 minutes, email the instructor ahead of time. Bring a medical
certificate for any medical emergency that requires you to miss more than two classes in a
row. If leaving early, seat yourself such that you can leave the class without creating much
disturbance.

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 o If you miss a class it is up to you to make up the learning gap. The instructor cannot be
expected to go over everything done in class because you were absent. They can of course
help you catch up with conceptual difficulties.
 Missed Presentation policy:
o If you miss presentations as a no show, you will lose the entire grade.
o In case of an emergency that you’re not on campus that day, please arrange your travel ahead.
Under extenuating circumstances, I can allow you do a remote presentation, only if you
arrange it with me at least two weeks in advance
o Emergencies will be determined by the instructor on a case by case basis. Serious illness of the
student, or in the student’s immediate family (with medical certificate from a doctor or a
mental health practitioner), Or officially representing Ashoka in an outstation event or
competition are some grounds for taking the examination remotely.
o Traveling for family marriages, vacations, unfortunately will not be entertained as an excuse
for a remote examination. Please plan your travels accordingly.
 Classroom policies
o There is no point of this course if you come to the class without doing the readings. If you do
not participate in class discussion even if prompted by the instructor you might be asked to
leave the class and lose that day’s grades for attendance/participation
o The class is a safe space for discussion of sensitive topics. Please conduct yourselves
responsibly and sensitively
o The use of hateful, incendiary, inflammatory and inappropriate language in class will not be
tolerated at all. It will definitely lead to your dismissal from the class that day and may even
lead to more serious action, including a report to the office and dean of academic affairs.
o When you sign up for this class please consider that will be akin to signing a pledge not to
divulge any sensitive fact or personal encounters of fellow class members should they come
up as part of the discussion. The classroom is a safe space. As long as you do it maturely and
without using offensive language, contrarian viewpoints are always welcome.
 Any attempts to derail or disrupt the class will not be tolerated and the student will be asked to leave
the class. It is also unprofessional to sleep and snore in class. It is at the discretion of the instructor to
dismiss a student from class if that proves to be a distraction. Usually it is.
 The instructor is generally very approachable and has an open-door office policy, however, it is always
better to email and setup a meeting ahead of time
 If you have a chronic illness, have a disability or a learning disability or ESOL issues, please let the
instructor know and arrangements made for your condition
 The instructor will try for maximum flexibility in meeting with students and help them resolve their
issues with the course material, however, here are few things which are off limits
o Asking me to do your work for you: I will guide you on how to write an assignment, we won’t
be writing it for you
o Plan reading and writing ahead of time. I will provide tentative timelines for assignment in
class. If you don’t follow them, please don’t insist to meet with me or to discuss your doubts
one day before submission

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 o Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part

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