ET530
Stassen/Murphy
ET530: THEORY AND PRACTICE OF NONVIOLENCE. Glen Stassen and Nancey
Murphy.
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.
RELEVANCE FOR 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.
COURSE FORMAT:
- 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.
REQUIRED READING:
- 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.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- 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.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- 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.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.