In this course, students examine various ideas of how, when, where, and why nonviolent action has worked and when it has given way to violent resistance. Students examine if it is possible to overcome increasing global inequality; increasingly destructive cycles of war and violence; and the relentless domination and exploitation of human beings, communities and ecosystems that sustain life on earth using nonviolent methods. Students also consider if the power of nonviolence gives us a vision of an `alternative' that is grounded in equality and cooperation. Students then consider if nonviolent ways of life can transform contemporary social systems of inequality, violence, and domination into alternative social relationships and systems in which equality, nonviolence, and self-organizing democratic cooperation could become paramount. Prerequisites: 45 credits completed in any discipline with at least 6 credits completed in POLI courses.
In this course, students examine various ideas of how, when, where, and why nonviolent action has worked and when it has given way to violent resistance. Students examine if it is possible to overcome increasing global inequality; increasingly destructive cycles of war and violence; and the relentless domination and exploitation of human beings, communities and ecosystems that sustain life on earth using nonviolent methods. Students also consider if the power of nonviolence gives us a vision of an `alternative' that is grounded in equality and cooperation. Students then consider if nonviolent ways of life can transform contemporary social systems of inequality, violence, and domination into alternative social relationships and systems in which equality, nonviolence, and self-organizing democratic cooperation could become paramount. Prerequisites: 45 credits completed in any discipline with at least 6 credits completed in POLI courses.
