coursedescription

This seminar explores the theoretical underpinnings of an Ahmisa /nonviolence paradigm. Through several historical case studies we will examines how nonviolence offers an approach to peacemaking that has been used not only to counteract forms of social discrimination and political repression but also to resist foreign imperialism or occupation. Many, who battle oppression and injustice today, now recognize the enormous power of global media to coordinate activities, plan protests, and publicize often high quality information about their causes. Does access to new media and information technology change the balance of power between repressive regimes and civil resistance movements? We all saw what happened in Egypt, Tunisia, Iran, etc. New technologies played a major role in these events and are likely to continue having a tremendous impact in these countries and beyond. Social networking tools have clearly changed the way individuals in non-permissive environments communicate with each other and the outside world. New media and digital technology is also changing the nature of popular resistance throughout the world. At the same time, repressive regimes are increasingly censoring and monitoring information flows and shutting down popular communication tools in times of threat, thus imposing information blockades. Such explorations hopefully will provide a new understanding of human history from a fresh perspective of transformation and change through nonviolent means. The study of some key twentieth century individuals such as, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and many other contemporary leaders and activists, will stimulate our critical reflection about the relevance of nonviolence, global activism and global media in the contemporary context. Each student will identify a particular non-violent movement for social change and/or organization and provide to the class periodic reports and critical analyses on the activities of that movement or organization, applying the principles and lessons drawn from the course. We will analyze how Global media may play a central and unique role in enabling to achieve human rights and democracy, as nonviolent groups are seeking to displace arbitrary rule in nations, our focus will be on the main question, does the information revolution empower the coercive control of repressive regimes at the expense of civil resistance movements, or vice versa? Does the change in the means of, and access to, information significantly threaten authoritarian control?

Course Goals

Students will learn how nonviolent social movements have worked in countries around the world
to articulate their own views on these issues,
be able to demonstrate a critical appreciation of views that differ from their own
to understand some of the cultural roots of philosophies that motivate nonviolent action
to learn and practice some of the methods and strategies of nonviolent action
to learn to respond to arguments that justify war and aggression
to be able to use basic vocabulary, concepts and principles of conflict management and resolution in the practice of nonviolent action in the community
to a nonviolent social movement
to Understand that non-violence can be taught and learned.
To Understand the role of violence in history and its implication in society

Required Readings:

James L. Gelvin, The Arab Uprising, Oxford March 2012
Maria J. Stephan, Civilian Jihad: Nonviolent Struggle, Democratization, and Governance in the Middle East by.Palgrave 2009
Zinn Howard , The power of Non Violence, 2002 Beacon Press
Gene Sharp, From Dictatorship to Democracy , Albert Einstine Institute