Theoretical Approaches to interpersonal Violence Across the Life Course

3 units

This course examines theoretical approaches to understanding interpersonal violence across the life course in the United States. The course uses a multidimensional theoretical approach to explore: the causes of interpersonal violence; the impact of interpersonal violence on the individual (both victim/survivors and perpetrators), families, communities, and society; how theory informs intervention and prevention approaches to interpersonal violence; and evaluation of intervention and prevention approaches. The course will also examine the prevalence of interpersonal violence, risk and resiliency factors, the impact of polyvictimization, the connections between interpersonal violence and suicide, and the intersection of power and oppression in the experiences of interpersonal violence, focusing on marginalized identities. After a review of key theories and perspectives, students will apply theoretical lenses to examine experiences of interpersonal violence across the life course including child abuse, bullying, sexual harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse. Students will also apply theoretical lenses to understand evidence based individual interventions and macro level policies that address interpersonal violence across the life course. Consideration will be given to various trauma and strategies to promote sustainability in the field.