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    Emory University
    Understanding Violence
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    Emory University

    Understanding Violence

    Deb Houry, MD, MPH
    Pamela Scully, Ph.D.

    Instructors: Deb Houry, MD, MPH

    Instructors

    Instructor ratings

    We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

    4.7 (55 ratings)
    Deb Houry, MD, MPH
    Deb Houry, MD, MPH
    Emory University
    1 Course•35,405 learners
    Pamela Scully, Ph.D.
    Pamela Scully, Ph.D.
    Emory University
    2 Courses•36,578 learners

    35,401 already enrolled

    Included with Coursera Plus

    •Learn more
    6 modules
    Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
    4.6

    96%

    (277 reviews)

    Beginner level
    No prior experience required
    Flexible schedule
    Approx. 15 hours
    Learn at your own pace
    Earn a Certificate
    With paid plans

    6 modules
    Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
    4.6

    96%

    (277 reviews)

    Beginner level
    No prior experience required
    Flexible schedule
    Approx. 15 hours
    Learn at your own pace
    Earn a Certificate
    With paid plans
    • About
    • Modules
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews
    • Recommendations

    Skills you'll gain

    • Sociology
    • International Relations
    • Social Justice
    • Media and Communications
    • Cultural Diversity
    • Psychiatry
    • Trauma Care
    • Psychology
    • Social Sciences
    • Public Safety and National Security
    • Economics
    • Mental Health
    • Behavioral Health
    • Community and Social Work

    Details to know

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    Assessments

    4 assignments

    Taught in English

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    There are 6 modules in this course

    We are so pleased to have you join us as we investigate this crucial topic.

    Violence is a leading cause of death, disability and health care use worldwide. Violence is a complex problem and can only be understood and reduced though a multidisciplinary approach. This course introduces you to experts who study different forms of violence and we will discuss the various causes of violence. You will also learn about efforts to reduce violence and engage in a day of compassion. We are very fortunate that PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER is participating in our course. He delivers a lecture on the efforts of the Carter Center to end violence around the world, and he engages in a discussion with us about his life and work in human rights. Do join us for short videos, readings and discussions. And also see our coffee chats, where we (Pamela and Deb) summarize and reflect on each module. And we want to hear from you! Feel free to reach out via Twitter or through the course, or through our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/understandingviolence01/.

    We begin the course by defining violence and discussing why violence can be difficult to identify and measure. We will review the rates of violence in the U.S. and globally.

    What's included

    8 videos4 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

    8 videos•Total 44 minutes
    • Introduction•3 minutes•Preview module
    • Trigger Warning•0 minutes
    • Overview of Violence, Part 1•6 minutes
    • Overview of Violence, Part 2•6 minutes
    • Global Perspectives & Statistics•8 minutes
    • Violence in a Structural & Cultural Context•7 minutes
    • Collecting data on violence•6 minutes
    • Coffee Chat with Pamela and Deb•4 minutes
    4 readings•Total 40 minutes
    • Getting Started•10 minutes
    • Resources•10 minutes
    • Readings and Resources•10 minutes
    • Family Violence Exercise•10 minutes
    1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
    • Quiz 1•30 minutes
    1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
    • Discussion Question•10 minutes

    The following videos will help learners become familiar with specific types of violence, including intimate partner violence, suicide, sexual violence, youth violence including cyber-bullying, child maltreatment, elder maltreatment, and gang violence.

    What's included

    8 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

    8 videos•Total 82 minutes
    • Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)•9 minutes•Preview module
    • Gang Violence•12 minutes
    • Child Maltreatment•10 minutes
    • Youth Violence & Cyber-Bullying•12 minutes
    • Sexual Violence•12 minutes
    • Violence towards the elderly•7 minutes
    • Suicide•12 minutes
    • Coffee Chat with Deb and Pamela•4 minutes
    1 reading•Total 10 minutes
    • Readings and Resources•10 minutes
    1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
    • Quiz 2•30 minutes
    1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
    • Discussion Question•10 minutes

    In this module we identify what environmental features increase likelihood for violence in individuals and take a look at the associations with substance use and violence. Learners have a chance to review theories around biological and genetic predispositions and responses to violence. Finally, we examine religious perspectives and issues around violence.

    What's included

    7 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

    7 videos•Total 97 minutes
    • Strain Theory & Other Sociological Determinants•11 minutes•Preview module
    • Are We Born Bad? Biological and Psychological Determinants•20 minutes
    • Alcohol & Drug Use•9 minutes
    • Prof Abdullahi An-Na'im on Islam•15 minutes
    • Combatting Sacred Violence•19 minutes
    • Becoming Beloved Community•15 minutes
    • Coffee Chat with Pamela and Deb•4 minutes
    1 reading•Total 10 minutes
    • Readings and Resources•10 minutes
    1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
    • Quiz 3•30 minutes
    1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
    • Discussion Question•10 minutes

    We begin this module reviewing the psychological effects of violence including PTSD, depression, and suicidality. Then we assess the economic impact of violence and injuries. We will explore violence in relation to the criminal justice system, and recognize the long-term impact of sexual violence in wartime.

    What's included

    8 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

    8 videos•Total 88 minutes
    • Economic Costs of Violence, Part 1•13 minutes•Preview module
    • Economic Costs of Violence, Part 2•14 minutes
    • Economic Costs of Violence, Part 3•14 minutes
    • Mental Health Consequences of IPV•12 minutes
    • Resilience & Protective Factors•6 minutes
    • Violence & The Criminal Justice System•14 minutes
    • Prof Pamela Scully: Sexualized Violence in Conflict•6 minutes
    • Coffee chat with Deb and Pamela•5 minutes
    1 reading•Total 10 minutes
    • Readings and Resources•10 minutes
    1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
    • Consequences of Violence•30 minutes
    1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
    • Discussion Question•10 minutes

    In this module we explore how violence is represented in films in terms of character and narrative and we consider how violence is reported in the news, specifically discussing desensitization.

    What's included

    7 videos1 reading1 peer review1 discussion prompt

    7 videos•Total 50 minutes
    • Violence & Film with Prof Karla Oeler•3 minutes•Preview module
    • Violence & Film Part 2•13 minutes
    • Violence & The Media, Part 3•6 minutes
    • Media Depictions of Mental Illness•9 minutes
    • Reporting of Violence in the News & Media•10 minutes
    • Coffee Chat with Pamela & Deb•5 minutes
    • Peer Review: Instructions & Motivations•2 minutes
    1 reading•Total 10 minutes
    • Readings and Resources•10 minutes
    1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
    • Peer Review: Media/Film Critical Reflection•60 minutes
    1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
    • Discussion Question•10 minutes

    We close this course comparing different types of violence prevention programs (primary vs. secondary; public health vs. criminal justice) and identifying key elements of successful violence prevention programs.

    What's included

    10 videos1 reading1 peer review1 discussion prompt

    10 videos•Total 106 minutes
    • Prof Dean Dabney on the Focused Deterrence Model•23 minutes•Preview module
    • Youth Prevention Strategies•11 minutes
    • Video Games & Dating Violence Prevention with Drew Crecente•7 minutes
    • Ulester Douglas on Men Stopping Violence•9 minutes
    • Deb Houry on Safe Communities: Emory•4 minutes
    • President Jimmy Carter on the Works of The Carter Center•11 minutes
    • Pamela on Liberian Post-Conflict Interventions to End Violence•9 minutes
    • Interview with President Jimmy Carter•21 minutes
    • Final Coffee chat with Deb & Pamela•5 minutes
    • Peer Review: Instructions & Motivations•2 minutes
    1 reading•Total 10 minutes
    • Readings and Resources•10 minutes
    1 peer review•Total 120 minutes
    • Peer Review: Day of Action & Compassion•120 minutes
    1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
    • Discussion Question•10 minutes

    Instructors

    Instructor ratings

    Instructor ratings

    We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.

    4.7 (55 ratings)
    Deb Houry, MD, MPH
    Deb Houry, MD, MPH
    Emory University
    1 Course•35,405 learners
    Pamela Scully, Ph.D.
    Pamela Scully, Ph.D.
    Emory University
    2 Courses•36,578 learners

    Offered by

    Emory University

    Offered by

    Emory University

    Emory University, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the world's leading research universities. Its mission is to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in the service of humanity.

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    Learner reviews

    4.6

    277 reviews

    • 5 stars

      73.74%

    • 4 stars

      15.82%

    • 3 stars

      6.83%

    • 2 stars

      2.15%

    • 1 star

      1.43%

    Showing 3 of 277

    M
    MT
    4

    Reviewed on Jun 21, 2016

    Excellent course. It makes you analyze yourself own thoughts and ideas about violence.

    S
    SB
    4

    Reviewed on Apr 23, 2018

    A good basic course on the ideas and understanding of violence. Beginners in the study of violence can learn much from this course

    M
    MN
    5

    Reviewed on Dec 8, 2024

    Very interesting and insightful and alarming at times. Loved the peer reviewed assessments that required a bit of work and not just the usual quiz's

    View more reviews
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