Terror Management Theory: Foundations, Critique, and Applications   [Archived Catalog]
2018-2019 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook with Spring Addendum
   

EHTP 2049 - Terror Management Theory: Foundations, Critique, and Applications


Terror Management Theory (TMT) developed as a social psychological theory emerging out of the work of the social anthropologist, author, and Pulitzer Prize recipient Ernest Becker. TMT, considered an existential approach to social psychology, has garnered considerable support in the research literature and has been applied to a number of important social issues--terrorism, violence, and religious prejudice among them. This present course will review the theory of and research on terror management and will incorporate a critique of its limitations as well. Consideration will be given to TMT understood in the broader context of Ernest Becker's overarching work as well as resonant other existential theorists and theories. Students will be encouraged to consider ways that TMT can be meaningfully applied to research and contemporary social issues. 3 credit(s)