Program Overview

Course Overview

The course "Understanding Aggression" is a 3-credit online program designed for K-12 professionals, focusing on the various forms of aggression, its costs, motivation, perpetrators, targets, and impact on schools and society.

Course Details

• Instructor: Karen Lea, Ph.D.
• Grading Method: Letter (Letter)
• Credits: 3
• Department: EDUC (2000)
• Academic Level: K-12 Professionals
• Start/End Dates: 05/19/2026 - 08/07/2026
• Registration Deadline: 07/17/2026
• Term: Summer 2026
• Location: Online
• Instruction Mode: Internet Asynchronous (online class)
• Cost: $300

Course Description

This course explores the many forms of aggression, both criminal and otherwise, including its costs and motivation, perpetrators and targets, and its impact on schools, children, and society. Topics of interest include:

• Violence and the challenge of raising and working with children
• Aggression in classrooms
• American youth gangs and their influence
• Past and future sports violence
• "Hot spot" locations of frequent violence
• The aggression-promoting role of alcohol, temperature, driving, television, and other features of modern life

The course also addresses questions such as:

• Is aggression always bad?
• How do aggressive thoughts lead to aggressive actions?
• Is aggression, at least for some people, an addiction?
• Does the victim contribute to being attacked?
• Is dating a dangerous proposition?
• How are acts of aggression dealt with in other countries, and are there any lessons for America?

Syllabus, Objectives, and Outcomes

Syllabus

The course syllabus, "Understanding Aggression Syllabus," must be completed and submitted by August 2026.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

• Review the history of aggression and how society became aggressive
• Identify the causes of aggressive behavior, both internal and external
• Explain how aggression is expressed in various social settings
• Identify perpetrators and victims of aggression and violence
• Identify locations of high aggression and violence
• Provide solutions for reducing aggression and violence in classroom and other school settings
• Provide information on how educators can help students/children reduce feelings of aggression and violent tendencies

Materials

Course materials are available online as part of the course, including the title "Understanding Aggression: Coping with Aggressive Behavior in the Classroom" by Dr. Karen Lea.