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PSYC432 - Psychology of Combat
Course Details
Course Code: PSYC432 Course ID: 3613 Credit Hours: 3 Level: Undergraduate
This course is a study of acute and chronic behavioral response to battle. Students will review, analyze, and evaluate the range of psychological responses to combat, from "normal" reactions to variations of "Combat Stress Reaction." Case studies from combat action will provide material for application and synthesis of the concepts presented in the course. Topics include the U.S. military approach to psychiatric management of combat, POW experiences, mental adaptation for future warfare, and stress associated with other forms of conflict, such as peacekeeping.
Course Schedule
| Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/24/19 - 11/29/19 | 12/02/19 - 01/26/20 | Fall 2019 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 07/29/19 - 01/03/20 | 01/06/20 - 03/01/20 | Winter 2020 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 08/26/19 - 01/31/20 | 02/03/20 - 03/29/20 | Winter 2020 Session I | 8 Week session |
| 09/30/19 - 02/28/20 | 03/02/20 - 04/26/20 | Winter 2020 Session D | 8 Week session |
| 10/28/19 - 04/03/20 | 04/06/20 - 05/31/20 | Spring 2020 Session B | 8 Week session |
| 11/25/19 - 05/01/20 | 05/04/20 - 06/28/20 | Spring 2020 Session I | 8 Week session |
Current Syllabi
Students successfully completing this course will:
- Examine historic and contemporary theories of psychological impact of combat experience
- Articulate adaptive reactions of soldiers exposed to battle
- Compare the acute and long-term impacts of combat-related post-traumatic stress reactions
- Delineate prevention, management, and treatment approaches to combat stress conditions
- Describe the evolution of the US Military’s approach to management of war-related psychological effects
- Examine the range of psychological experiences of POW’s, soldiers wounded in battle and soldiers exposed to WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) or asymmetrical warfare
Graded Coursework Includes:
Forums: The course contains eight discussion forums. Instructions are located on the classroom Forums screen.
Review Papers: Two review papers are assigned throughout the course, one in Week 2 and one in Week 5. Instructions are located on the classroom Assignments screen.
TBI Scenario Presentation: A scenario presentation is assigned during Week 3 of the course. Instructions are located on the classroom Assignments screen.
Blog Posts: A blog post is assigned during week 7 of the course. Instructions are located on the classroom Assignments screen.
Midterm Short-Essay Assignment: A Midterm Short-Essay Assignment is assigned during Week 4 of the course. Instructions are located on the Assignments screen.
| Name | Grade % |
|---|---|
| Forums | 32.00 % |
| Week 1 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Week 2 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Week 3 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Week 4 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Week 5 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Week 6 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Week 7 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Week 8 Forum | 4.00 % |
| Assignments | 30.00 % |
| Week 2 CSR Review Paper | 10.00 % |
| Week 3 TBI Presentation | 10.00 % |
| Week 5 POW Review Paper | 10.00 % |
| Projects | 20.00 % |
| Week 7 Treatment Project | 20.00 % |
| Essay Assignments | 18.00 % |
| Midterm Short-Essay Assignment | 18.00 % |
Book Title: On Killing, Revised - eBook available through the APUS Online Library. Links provided inside the classroom in the Lessons section.
Author: Grossman
Publication Info: Hachette Book Group
ISBN: 9780316040938
Book Title: A War of Nerves: Soldiers and Psychiatrists in the Twentieth Century
Author: Ben Shephard
Publication Info: Harvard University Press
ISBN: 9780674011199
Book Title: Military Psychology, 2nd ed.- e-book available in the APUS Online Library. Links provided inside the classroom in the Lessons section.
Author: Kennedy, Carrie H.
Publication Info: Guilford Press
ISBN: 9781462506491
Book Title: Black Hawk Down - Film available inside the classroom. DVD available to purchase from the APUS Bookstore or other sellers
Author: Ridley Scott
Publication Info: Swank
ISBN: APUDVD15
Book Title: To find the library e-book(s) req'd for your course, please visit http://apus.libguides.com/er.php to locate the eReserve by course #. You must be logged in to eCampus first to access the links.
Author: N/A
Publication Info: N/A
ISBN: N/A
| Book Title: | To find the library e-book(s) req'd for your course, please visit http://apus.libguides.com/er.php to locate the eReserve by course #. |
| Author: | No Author Specified |
| Book Title: | Military Psychology, 2nd ed.- e-book available in the APUS Online Library. Links provided inside the classroom in the Lessons section. |
| ISBN: | 9781462506491 |
| Publication Info: | Guilford Press |
| Author: | Kennedy, Carrie H. |
| Unit Cost: | $56.36 |
| Book Title: | On Killing, Revised - eBook available through the APUS Online Library. Links provided inside the classroom in the Lessons section. |
| ISBN: | 9780316040938 |
| Publication Info: | Hachette Book Group |
| Author: | Grossman |
| Unit Cost: | $11.91 |
Previous Syllabi
Not current for future courses.