Deprogramming and Deradicalization: Examining Cults and Extremist Groups in the United States

Catalog description

This course delves into the concept of “cults” and “extremist groups” within the framework of modern society, examining their formation, evolution, and impact. Students will explore various typologies of cults, human potential movements, and extremist groups. Students will focus on the role of charismatic leadership, small-group sociology, millennialism, apocalypticism, schisms, and the intersections of violence and government intervention. Key models of conversion, including the controversial concept of “brainwashing,” will be analyzed to understand how individuals are drawn into and sustain membership within these groups. The course examines socio-structural factors contributing to the rise of extremist activism, motivations for joining these organizations, and the political opportunities that enable their growth. Students will evaluate the historical and contemporary dissemination of extremist ideologies and rhetoric, exploring how these ideas permeate more mainstream social, political, and criminal justice spaces. The course further addresses the broader societal impacts of these groups and the processes involved in deprogramming and deradicalization. Emphasis will be placed on strategies employed in the United States and other countries, focusing on methods for addressing cult involvement and initiatives for countering radicalization. Special attention will be given to specific groups that have significantly influenced the criminal justice system, providing a deeper understanding of how these organizations challenge legal, social, and cultural frameworks. Through case studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical applications, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding cults and extremist groups in modern contexts.