UCSB Class

Theory and Practice of Nonviolence

Tuesday 2:00-4:50

Dr. Marguerite Bouraad Nash Office: Ellison 3716

Phone: 893-3159 Office Hours: TTH: 9:45-10:4Messages: 893-3432 Email: bouraad@polsci.ucsb.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This seminar on the theory and practice of nonviolence is intended primarily for students seeking to fulfill the minor and certificate requirements in Global Peace and Security Studies. It provides a critical examination of nonviolence as a philosophy of life, and as pragmatic approach to conflict resolution. In this course we explore the philosophical, psychological, cultural, and political aspects of violence and nonviolence through the examination of the work of major theorist of nonviolence including Gandhi, King, and Sharp. Occasionally films will be used in class, and when possible, scholars concerned with the various aspects of the topics will join the seminar as guest lecturers.

COURSE PHILOSOPHY: Student participation is essential to the success of a seminar. This course has been organized on that basis and on the premise that you are worthy of this privilege and the responsibility that goes along with it. Each of you will be expected to complete all assigned readings before each class meeting, so that you are familiar with the materials with which we are dealing. In view of the fact that my presentations will complement rather than reiterate the assigned readings, you are expected to read each assignment before each seminar. You are expected to attend all class meetings, and be prepared to critically discuss and analyze each session’s assignment.

Please do not hesitate to drop by my office should you have problems with the course, or just want to talk. My office hours provide us with an opportunity to get to know each other better.

REQUIREMENTS: Participation in class discussion, a paper of 12-15 on a topic appropriate to the course (due November 11, 2002), and an exam. Your paper must demonstrate familiarity with the readings, a wide range of additional appropriate readings, and a critical analysis of the topic. The topic of your paper should be approved by the instructor (no later than October 15, 2002) Your grade will be based on your performance in the following: paper 45%, exam 45%, and class participation 10%.

BOOKS:

Roger Fisher, and William Ury, Getting to Yes.

Robert L. Holmes Nonviolence in Theory and Practice

GPS 140 Reader

PART I - APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF VIOLENCE AND NONVIOLENCE

Week I (Sept. 29-Oct. 5):

1. Introduction to the Study of nonviolence

Reading:

Michael Walzer, Just and Unjust Wars, Chapters 2, 3, & 4, "The Crime of War," "The Rules of War," and "Law and Order in International Society," pp. 21-73, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Francis A. Beer, Peace against War: The Ecology of International Violence, Chapter 1, "Epidemiology," pp.-19, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Week II (Oct. 6-12):

2. Origins of Violence and Nonviolence

Reading:

Sigmund Freud, Why War," in Leon Bramson, and George W. Gothals, War Studies from Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology, pp. 71-80, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

E. F. M. Durbin, and John Bowlby, "Personal Aggressiveness and War," Ibid. pp. 81-103, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Mark A. May, "War, Peace, and Social Learning," Ibid. pp. 151-158, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Margaret Mead, "Warfare Is Only an Invention--Not a Biological Necessity," Ibid. pp. 269-274, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

PART II - THEORY AND PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE: ANCIENT AND MODERN

Week III (Oct. 13-19):

3. Nonviolence in Philosophy and Religion

Reading:

Reuven, Kimelman, "Nonviolence in the Talmud," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 20-27.

Lawrence S. Apsey, "How Transforming Power Has Been Used in the Past by Early Christians," Ibid. pp. 27-28.

Jesus, "Sermon on the Mount," Matthew 5, 6, & 7, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

I. C. Sharma, "The Ethics of Jainism," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 10-14.

"From the Way of Lao Tzu, Ibid. pp. 14-15.

Doris Hunter, "On the Bhagavad-Gita," Ibid. pp. 15-19

Week IV (Oct. 20-26):

4. Civil Disobedience and Nonviolence

Reading:

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), "Civil Disobedience," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 29-40.

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), "Letter to Ernest Howard Crosby," from Leo Tolstoy, Writings on Civil Disobedience and Nonviolence, in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 45-50.

Nigel Young, "Tradition and innovation in the British Peace Movement: Towards an Analytical Framework," in Richard Taylor and Nigel Young, (eds.), Campaigns for Peace: British Peace Movements in the Twentieth Century, pp. 5-22, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Nigel Young, "War Resistance and the British Peace Movement Since 1914," Ibid. pp. 23-48,

or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Week V (Oct. 27-Nov. 2):

5. Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948): Conquest of Violence

Reading:

Mohandas K. Gandhi, "On Satyagraha," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 51-62.

Mark Juergensmeyer, Fighting with Gandhi: A step-by-step Strategy for Resolving Everyday Conflicts, (Pamphlet of selected chapters from book Fighting with Gandhi: A Step-By-Step Strategy for Resolving Everyday Conflicts.

Week VI (Nov. 3-9):

6. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968): Militant Nonviolence

Reading:

Lawrence Aspey, "How Transforming Power Was Used in Modern Times--Against Race Prejudice in America," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 63-67.

Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter From Birmingham Jail," Ibid. pp. 68-77.

Martin Luther King, Jr., The Power of Nonviolence," in James M. Washington, (ed.) I Have A Dream: Writings and Speeches that Changed the World, pp. 29-33, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Martin Luther King, Jr., "My Trip to the Land of Gandhi," Ibid. pp. 30-48, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Martin Luther King, Jr., " The Drum Major Instinct," Ibid. pp. 180-192, or in the GPS 140 Reader.

Martin Luther King, Jr., "I See the Promised Land,” Ibid. pp. 193-203, or in the GPS 140

Reader.

Week VII (Nov. 10-16):

7. Women and Nonviolence

Reading:

David Daube, "The Women of the Bible and Greece," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 82-89.

Josephine Eglin, "Women and Peace: From the Suffragists to the Greenham Women," in Richard Taylor and Nigel Young, (eds.), Campaigns for Peace: British Peace Movements in the Twentieth Century, pp. 221-259.

Margaret Hope Bacon, "Nonviolence and Women," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 90-94.

Barbara Deming, "On Revolution and Equilibrium," Ibid. pp. 95-104.

Lain Ellison Norman, "Molly Rush and the Plowshares Eight," Ibid. pp. 105-112.

PAPER DUE November 11, 2002

PART III - THE TECHNIQUE OF NONVIOLENT ACTION

Week VIII (Nov. 17-23):

8. Scope and Technique of Nonviolent Action

Reading:

Gene Sharp, "Nonviolent Action: An Active Technique of Struggle," in Holmes, Robert L. Nonviolence in Theory and Practice, pp. 147-150.

Gene Sharp, "The Technique of non-Violent Action," Ibid. pp. 151-155.

Mubarak E. Awad, "Nonviolent Resistance: A Strategy for the Occupied Territories," Ibid. pp. 155-163.

Week IX (Nov. 24-30):

9. Negotiations: Practical Techniques for Resolving Disputes

Reading:

Roger Fisher, and William Ury, Getting to Yes. pp. 1-106.

Week X (Nov. Dec. 1-7):

10. Negotiating Difficult Problems with Difficult People

Reading:

Roger Fisher, and William Ury, Getting to Yes. pp. 107-187.

EXAM – December 5

Global Peace and Security 140