SBS 349 - Trauma and Narrative

This course examines the medical, political, and cultural history of the concept of trauma, focusing on how trauma has become a core concern in both contemporary clinical psychology and literary criticism. We consider models for conceptualizing responses to traumatic experiences. Topics include the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, recommended treatment approaches, risk and protective factors. Students explore “narrative” vs. “traumatic” memories and carefully examine a number of literary texts and films to analyze the characteristics of representations of traumatic memory. The idea that fashioning a narrative of traumatic experience is essential to trauma therapy and to the healing effects of trauma literature, will also be explored.

Prerequisite(s): Recommended completion of a 100-level Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 1 course (with grade of C- or higher), SOC 100, PSY 100, and ANT 101 recommended.
Co-requisite(s):
Credits: 3

Course Typically Offered:
Course Type: Social & Behavioral Sciences