Location

Berlin, Warsaw, Lodz, Krakow, Germany, Poland

Program Description

Information Session

October 8, 2024 from 5:15- 6:30 in Miller 2109

October 14, 2024 from 5:15- 6:30 in HBS G045

In this course, we will explore how different psychological theories attempt to explain anti-Semitism as well as the human cruelty experienced in the Holocaust. Specifically, we will critically examine the behavior of the perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. Although we will focus on the Holocaust, we will examine other genocides and conflicts as well. During our travels, we will witness the impact of the Holocaust and it's aftermath. After learning about people's behaviors during the Holocaust, students will be motivated to fight indifference, racism, and injustice.

Before the trip, we will have group meetings so we can get to know each other, and we will begin to explore this topic.

While in Germany and Poland, most days will include class discussions and sightseeing. While visiting sites, we will have class discussions connecting our travels to the Psychology of the Holocaust. We will also explore German and Polish culture by exploring food, viewing the cities, and interacting with people.

Why study the psychology of the Holocaust? The field of psychology attempts to understand, explain, and predict behavior. We will explore how theories about social influence (including obedience, conformity, group influence), social relations (prejudice, stereotypes, bystander intervention), and social cognition (misperception, correspondence bias, attribution theory, cognitive dissonance theory, and self-perception theory) can help explain the behavior of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. These theories are only a beginning in trying to understand the capacity to do evil. While traveling through Germany and Poland, we will visit sites related to the Holocaust including museums, monuments, and concentration camps.

Location Description

As we study the Psychology of the Holocaust, we will tour cities in Germany and Poland. While in Germany, we will stay in Berlin. While in Poland, we will stay in Warsaw, Lodz, and Krakow.

During our travels, we will meet people impacted by the Holocaust including one of the "children of the Holocaust." We will also explore sites related to the Holocaust. For example, while studying the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, we will visit the actual ghetto. While studying about individuals who rescued Jews during the Holocaust, we will visit the Oskar Schindler Factory. We are also planning to visit a Zoo in Poland where Jews hid during the war. We will also visit several concentration camps. Throughout the course, we will explore the culture of Germany and Poland by visiting the Berlin Wall and other sites, exploring the Polish countryside through a bike tour, and exploring culture through food demonstrations.

Director

Kevin Apple | applekj@jmu.edu | Psychology

Accommodations

Students will stay in a variety of hotels throughout the trip. All hotels will be centrally located and will include internet access. Students will be in shared double or triple rooms. Breakfast and one other meal will be provided each day. The breakfasts will be provided by the hotel. Students should plan to spend their own money to cover the one meal per day not included.

Applicant Criteria

Open to all undergraduate majors and class levels. 

Open to non-JMU students.

Students must successfully complete PSYC 101 or PSYC 160 prior to the start of the program.

Application Process

This list serves as an application preview. To apply, students will need to complete the following:

• Study Abroad Online Application ($40 fee)
• Short Essay
• Resume
• List of Academic References
• Attendance at program information session may be required
• Interview with program director may be required
• Official transcript required for non-JMU students

Further details and instructions about these application requirements will be available upon log-in.