Nonviolence: Conflict Transformation in Divided Communities

This course explores and investigates the theory and practice of disciplined nonviolence in the Gandhi-King tradition to powerfully confront, transform and overcome injustice and systemic violence in divided communities. We will examine the role of nonviolent direct action, negotiation and mediation in a variety of historical, present-day and simulated cases in order to identify and analyze strategic lessons from successes as well as failures. We will inquire into the relationship between direct action campaigns, and legal processes and political decision-making. After examining transformative campaigns led by Gandhi, King, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, we will explore case studies such as the anti-apartheid movement, and truth and reconciliation process, in South Africa; and racial and environmental justice movements and anti-gun violence campaigns in the United States in recent years until the present day, including Black Lives Matter, March for Our Lives, and the fossil fuel divestiture movement. Students will participate in several simulated negotiation and mediation exercises to develop experiential learning in the field from the perspective of multiple stakeholders, including activists, community leaders and government officials. In several sessions we will engage in dialogue with leading scholars and activists of transformative nonviolence, and we will engage together in a nonviolence training workshop. Students will have an option to enroll in an R-paper section with the permission of the instructor. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, written assignments, final paper.