DESCRIPTION:

The course has four objectives: (1) to consider theological rationales for Christian commitment to nonviolence; (2) to understand psychological and sociological theories of the practice of nonviolence; (3) to explore the vast array of techniques for social change available to the nonviolent practitioner; and (4) to appropriate the course material by devising a means by which nonviolence can be incorporated into one's spiritual life and ministry.

The increasingly violent nature of our culture has become a pressing concern, not only within churches but throughout society. The church can perform a gospel ministry by teaching the skills of nonviolence. This course should help prepare teachers, preachers, counselors, and therapists to foster peace.

Class will meet twice a week for two-hour sessions. Class time will be divided between lecture and critical discussion of the readings. The latter part of the class will also involve role-playing of techniques for conflict resolution. Students are strongly urged to become involved in some aspect of peacemaking ministry. Resources and referrals will be provided.

Buttrey, Daniel. Christian Peacemaking. Judson, 1994.

Fisher, Roger and W. Ury. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In. Penguin, 1981.

Harak, G. Simon. Virtuous Passions. Paulist, 1993.

Stassen, Glen. Ten Practices of Just Peacemaking. (photocopied).

Tooley, Michele. Voices of the Voiceless. Herald, April 1997.

Wink, Walter. Engaging the Powers. Fortress, 1992.

Yoder, John H. The Politics of Jesus. Eerdmans, 1994.

Murphy, Nancey and G. F. R. Ellis. On the Moral Nature of the Universe. Fortress, 1996.

Sharp, Gene. The Politics of Nonviolent Action, 3 vols. Porter Sargent, 1974.

Shriver, Donald. An Ethic for Enemies. Oxford, 1995.

Stassen, Glen. Just Peacemaking: Transforming Initiatives for Justice and Peace. Westminster/John Knox, 1992.

_________. Journey in to Peacemaking. Southern Baptist Convention Brotherhood Press, 1987.

One in-class essay exam; a ten-page position paper describing your reasoned stance on nonviolence. In addition, students will be encouraged to find an opportunity for peacemaking ministry and write a brief report on their activities. Those for whom this is not possible will be required to devise a plan for incorporating peacemaking into future ministry or write a research paper on some aspect of peacemaking ministry.

None.

Elective.

None.