Peaceful Solutions - Alternatives to Violence (Washington Center Syllabus, 2011)

Solutions to Violence

The Washington Center for Internships

Summer 2011

Professor Colman McCarthy

COURSE DESCRIPTION

If every government claims it wants peace, and if every human heart yearns for peace, then why is there so little of it? Why is violence routinely used as the way to settle conflicts, whether across borders or across the living room? And one more question: why are so few of the nation’s 78,000 elementary schools, 34,000 high schools and 4,100 colleges and universities offering courses on peaceful solutions to conflicts?

This course is a modest effort on offering a chance for students to break away from convention thinking, worn-out politics, quick fixes and slow progress. Studying nonviolence is not for the faint or weak of heart, nor conformists or the close minded. Instead, it is for those who are intellectually brave, spiritually alive, socially engaged and lovers of long-shots.

The course is discussions based. Debate and dissent arte welcomed. One skeptic enlivens the class more than a dozen passive agreers. Let’s be good listeners. Listening is an act of caring. Even if we don’t see eye to eye with someone, we can always talk heart to heart.

COURSE TEXTS

Solutions to Violence

bonus peace book (free)

Strength Through Peace

We Who Dared Say No to War

I’d Rather Teach Peace

WRITING REQUIREMENTS

A paper and a journal. The paper should be a minimum of 1,000 words. Due date: July 19. It should not be a conventional research paper. Instead, try the unconventional: research your own life, your experiences with violence or nonviolence, how you have dealt with conflicts with your family or friends, how you have shaped your personal or political values. Another possibility is to write your reflections on one of more of the essays in our texts and how those ideas relate to your own life. It’s fine to use the first person pronoun. It’s often better that way: to write the kind of paper that only you could write because it contains only experiences and thoughts you have had.

For the journal, make weekly entries: 400 words or more. Due date: last class, August 2. The entries can be your reflections on what was discussed in class or the readings. Or your reflections on events in your own life or topical events in the news.

The papers should be typed or computer printed and turned in at class. The journals can be printed or handwritten. Neither should be emailed. Grade deduction for lateness.

FINAL EXAM AND GRADES

Based on the course texts and handouts, the exam will list between 15 and 20 quotes as well as a list of between 15 and 20 authors. Students are expected to match the quote with the authors. Only those quotes that were read aloud in class will be on the exam. If you were absent, check with a classmate about on what was covered.

Final grades are based on thirds: one third the paper, one third the journal, one third the exam. Exam date: last class, August 2.

The best reason for missing a class is a death: yours or mine.

AVAILABILITY

I’m reachable at the Center for Teaching Peace, 4501 Van Ness St., Washington DC 20016. Phone: 202 537-1372. Email: cmccarthy@starpower.net. Appointments easily

Week One. An introductory discussion of the relationship between personal and impersonal violence, including the different kinds of solutions to the violence.

Week Two. Among nations, where has nonviolence worked? The question is perennially asked, especially by doubters. For class, read chapter one in “Solutions to Violence” and chapter six in “Strength Through Peace” on the Danish Resistance in World War II.

Week Three. What about peace in our personal lives and relationships? It often breaks down when verbal or emotional violence is inflicted against us or by us. For class read chapter nine in “Solutions to Violence.”

Week Four. With congressionally funded wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus military bases in more than 100 countries, what drives the policies behind them and the media coverage? Read chapter nine in “We Who Dared Say No to War.” The documentary “War Made Easy” will be shown.

Week Five. A discussion of legalized violence, as in the death penalty. Readings: page 95 to 110 in “I’d Rather Teach Peace” and chapter seven in “Solutions to Violence.”

Week Six. The longest war in history, and mostly before historians bothered to take notice, is the war on animals as waged by humans. Readings: chapter twelve in “Strength Through Peace” and chapter eight in “Solutions.”

Week Seven. Time now for Gandhi, the Indian peacemaker. Reading: the Gandhi essays in “Solutions to Violence” (chapter three) and “Strength Through Peace” (chapter five).

Week Eight. What about civil disobedience? How does I work? Is it effective? For class read chapter six in “Solutions.”

Week Nine. How to deal with family conflicts—or the testy ones with college roommates. Readings: chapter 11 in “Strength.”

Week Ten. Final exam, course evaluations, a summing up, a time to say farewell.