Instruction Mode: In-Class
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s): | Type | Description | Optional | Other | Textbook Available On-line; Details will be provided by professor
Lewis, J.R. Cults: A Reference Handbook. 2nd Edition. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO |
Applicable student group(s): Various Student Groups taking General Education Electives.
Course Details: ______________________________________________________________________
Unit 1
Introduction
- definition of 'cult'
- what constitutes a 'cult'
- how many `cults' exist?
- stereotypes of cults
Readings: Lewis Chapter 1 (pp. 1-17, 35-45, and 52-58), Chapter 5, and handouts.
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Unit 2
The History of Cults
Readings: Lewis Chapter 2 (pp. 75-98) and handouts.
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Unit 3
Major Cultic Groups of the Past and Present
- The People's Temple; Heaven's Gate; Church of Scientology; The Unification Church; The Solar Temple
Readings: Lewis Chapter 3 - but focus on 5 major groups above (p.284-285, 272-274, 282, 288-289, 279-280) and handouts.
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Unit 4
TEST I: Weeks 1 to 3 - worth 10% of final mark
Why Cults emerged
Readings: Lewis Chapter 1 (pp.45-49) and handouts.
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Unit 5
Obedience, Process of 'brainwashing', and Psychological Coercion
Readings: Lewis Chapter 1 (pp.17-27), Chapter 4 (pp.218-219) and handouts.
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Unit 6
How Cults work I
- recruiting new members
Readings: handouts.
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Unit 7
Project 1 part (a) DUE (online quiz) - (plagiarism prevention aspect of paper) - worth 10% of mark
Due by the Friday of this week
How Cults work II
- physiological persuasion techniques
- psychological persuasion techniques
Readings: Lewis Chapter 1 (pp.49-52) and handouts.
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BREAK WEEK
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Unit 8
TEST 2: Weeks 4 to 7 - worth 10% of final mark
Children and Cults
Readings: Lewis Chapter 4 (pp.200-209) and handouts.
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Unit 9
Why some Cults become violent
Readings: Lewis Chapter 1 (pp.27-31 and 58-66).
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Unit 10
PROJECT 1 part (b) DUE - Paper - 10% of final mark
Leaving the Cult and Recovery
Readings: Lewis Chapter 1 (pp.31-35) and Chapter 4 (pp.190-195 and 197-199).
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Unit 11
TEST 3: Weeks 8 to 10 - worth 10% of final mark
Cults, Religion, and Terrorism
Readings: Handouts
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Unit 12
Hostility toward Cults - the Anti-Cult Movement
Readings: Lewis Chapter 4 (pp.226 - 237)
PROJECT 2 - Student presentations - worth 20% of mark
Topic - Cults on campus
Readings - Students do their own research and present
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Unit 13
PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED
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Unit 14
TEST 4: Weeks 10 to 13 - worth 10% of total mark
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