Current Programs Offered at West Chester University
Communication Courses
COM 503 Communication and Persuasive Influence (3)
An analysis of major conceptual approaches to persuasion and their implications for
understanding influence contexts and designing pragmatic strategies.
COM 505 Concepts and Criticism of Public Influence (3)
The criticism and history of influence is explored to focus on examples of persuasion
through public discourse.
COM 507 Issues in Mass Communication (3)
An overview of the mass communication systems, including an analysis of the elements
and processes of these media, their functions, and the major issues attending their
use in our culture.
COM 509 Communication and Conflict Resolution (3)
Using both theoretical and activity-centered learning, students will explore the options
available to resolve conflict through communication.
History Courses
HIS 520 Racism, Bigotry, Prejudice (3)
This readings course investigates theories of prejudice from a variety of disciplines,
examines case studies, and explores methods for reducing bigotry.
HIS 523 History of Modern Germany (3)
Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries: Napoleonic Era rise of Prussia, nationalism
and unification, imperialism and World War I, National Socialism, World War II, and
divided Germany and Reunification.
HIS 543 Jews in Modern European History (3)
This course assesses Jewish life and thought in the context of major European historical
developments during the 19th and 20th centuries. Special attention is given to the
emancipation and acculturation process and the proliferation of anti-Semitism.
HIS 544 The Final Solution in Europe (3)
This course is an analysis of the Final Solution in each country of Nazi-occupied
Europe from 1941 to 1945.
HIS 545 Holocaust (3)
The study of steps leading to the Holocaust (1933-1945), the Holocaust itself, and
the aftermath. The rise of Nazism is included.
HIS 546 Genocide in Modern History (3)
Case studies of major atrocities of the 20th century, analyzing how and why particular
genocides were committed.
HIS 547 A-Socials and the Holocaust (3)
This course explores the persecution and murder at the hands of the Nazi regime and
its allies of Roma-Sinti, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, political prisoners, Poles,
Soviet POWs, and persons with disabilities.
HIS 548 Women and the Holocaust (3)
An examination of women's experiences in Nazi-occupied Europe. Also explored is the
role of gender in Nazi ideology and in postwar testimonies.
HIS 549 American Perspectives on the Holocaust (3)
A brief history of Jewish people in the United States with an in-depth study of American
reaction to the Holocaust.
HIS 602 Directed Readings in European History (3)
A critical examination of significant works on selected topics in the field. Permission
of the director or graduate coordinator is required.
HIS 660 Field Studies in History (3)
A fully supervised learning experience, usually a tour, designed to expose students
to the culture, artifacts, and research facilities of a given country or area.
HIS 691 Thesis (6)
Philosophy
PHI 512 Ethical Theories (3)
Examination of various ethical theories with practical applications to such problems
as authority, punishment, rights, marriage, and race.
PHI 590 Independent Studies in Philosophy (3)
PHI 599 Philosophic Concepts and Systems (3)
Moral Implications of the Holocaust and Genocide
Psychology
PSC 542 Dynamics of Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3)
The political role and style of masses and elites; uses and abuses of polls, political
socialization, voting behavior, campaigning, and media. Understanding individual opinion
formation (micro) and mass publics (macro).
PSC 590 Independent Study in Political Science (3)
The Holocaust in Eastern Europe.
PSY 509 Advanced Social Psychology (3)
Emphasizes contemporary approaches to the study of social behavior including cognitive,
social, and experimental and quasi-experimental research methodology
PSY 540 Multicultural Psychology (3)
An examination of cross-cultural perspectives in psychology. Sources of intercultural
impediments to mutual understanding and successful psychotherapy are also examined.
PSY 543 Psychology of Group Processes (3)
Survey of psychological group processes, tracing the origins and historical development
of major theoretical orientations.
Sociology
A topical seminar on the sociology of religion and the Holocaust.
Criminal Justice
This course is a survey of the historical and contemporary attempts to explain the phenomena of crime
English & Literature
How propaganda (particularly film) contributed to the rise of Nazism. Postwar literature and films will be used to illustrate issues such as compliance to the regime, the role of the Vatican and legal institutions, individual and group responsibility, literary and cinematic representation of the Holocaust, guilt and the debates surrounding reconciliation, the contemporary relationship of Germany and Israel, and the legacy of the Holocaust for children of victims and perpetrators.
Social Studies
Special secondary social studies methods to prepare teachers of the Holocaust and genocides.
In addition to these requirements, students must apply for candidacy to the MA degree upon completion of 15 hours.
Students in the non-thesis option of the MA program will take a 4 hour written comprehensive examination in the semester of or before graduation, followed by a 2 hour oral examination. Students in the thesis option will do a thesis defense as well as a written comprehensive examination.