School of International and Public Affairs
Spring 2002
Course U6809
International Conflict Resolution (2):
Religions between War and Peace
Instructor:
Bridget Moix, Adjunct Faculty, SIPA-International Conflict Resolution Program
Quaker United Nations Office
777 UN Plaza
New York, NY 10017
E-Mail: [email protected]
Course Schedule:
Tuesdays, 6:10-8:00pm
Office Hours:
TBA
A rabbi asked his students how to tell exactly when the dawn came, the time for morning prayer. One student replied, "Is it light when you can distinguish a donkey from a horse?" Another suggested, "When you can tell a palm tree from a fig tree?" The rabbi turned away all their answers, and told them, "When you can look into the face of every man and every woman and see there the face of your brother and sister, then it is light. All else is darkness."
1. Rationale:
Religions have played a crucial, if ambiguous, role in the history of humankind, particularly in regard to conflict. Religion has justified, motivated and mandated violence and war. At the same time it has encouraged the resolution of conflict and reconstruction of broken societies, tolerance, compassion and the need to create conditions of global peace.
Since the end of the Cold War, religion has assumed greater prominence in conflict, particularly instrastate civil wars, for example, in Algeria (Islam), Bosnia (Croatian Roman Catholic; Serbian Orthodox; Bosnian Muslim), India (Hinduism and Islam), Israel (Judaism and Islam), Sri Lanka (Buddhism and Hinduism), and Afghanistan (fundamentalist Islam). At the same time, the constructive role of religious actors and communities in providing peaceful paths of resistance and resolution has also become a matter of considerable study. Religion as peacemaker has been exemplified by the work of Ghandi in India, the people power revolution in the Philippines, Buddhist nonviolent response to wars in Vietnam and Cambodia, unofficial mediation efforts by the community of S’ant Egidio in Mozambique, the leadership of the South African Council of Churches during the anti-apartheid struggle, the traditions of Mennonite and Quaker international peacemaking, and the ongoing interfaith efforts of Jews, Muslims, and Christians to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East. Consequently, more academic attention has been turned to the study of the religious aspects of contemporary conflicts and the role of religious catalysts in moving disputes toward peaceful settlement and, ultimately, positive transformation.
Understanding the role of religion, both as a source of conflict and of peace, is indispensable for all students of international affairs. It is hoped that lessons learned in one situation may be applied elsewhere.
2. Course Description:
The course will examine current trends in theory and practice of religion as a source of conflict and a resource for peace. It will introduce students to conflict resolution theories which seek to account for religious dimensions of conflict, explore specific faith traditions and related case studies, and draw attention to the practical and recommended roles of religious actors in addressing conflict. It will also examine the issue of fundamentalism across religious traditions.
The course will be organized into three thematic sections, with an examination of particular case studies woven into the ongoing discussion:
I. Theoretical and Practical Perspectives on Religion in War and Peace (Weeks 1-3)
II. Conflict Resolution in 5 Faith Traditions (Weeks 4-9)
III. Roles, Methods, and Recommendations (Weeks 10-12)
The course will culminate in a workshop simulation and discussion of lessons learned (Week 13-14).
3. Objectives:
4. Format:
Seminar. Practitioner speakers, discussion-based learning activities, and student presentation will be the format of the course. Special guests will share their knowledge and experience with the class, and students will work in groups throughout the semester.
5. Requirements:
Students will be required to complete both individual and group assignments. Students are required to complete all the readings in the course pack and to attend class regularly. Grades will be based on attendance and participation, demonstration of knowledge from the readings and class discussions, and quality of assignments, including two short response essays, a mid-term take home exam, and a final group presentation and paper.
Students will also participate in the design and practice of a simulation workshop at the end of the course.
Specific individual and group assignments will include:
• Attendance and Participation (20%) – Students should inform the instructor if they expect to be absent at any time during the semester, and no more than 2 absences will be excused. All students will also participate in the design and process of a simulation workshop during the final weeks of class. This will provide an opportunity to apply the learning from class and role-play the dynamics of religion within a conflict situation
• Mid –Term Take Home Exam (25%) – An essay take home exam will provide opportunity for students to synthesize their learning and demonstrate critical thinking on the course material. The mid-term will be based on readings, class discussions, and guest speaker presentations.
• Group Presentation (20%) – Case study groups will be formed the third week of class, and will be expected to meet regularly throughout the semester. Each group will prepare a joint presentation on a current conflict, outlining the role of religion and religious actors in the situation and offering recommendations for their contribution to a peaceful resolution. Presentations should be 30-40 minutes each, followed by class discussion.
• Final Paper (35%) – Based on their case study and presentation, each student will submit a final paper. Final papers are not restricted to a certain page-length, but should be reflective of an in-depth study of the topic. Group papers may be possible.
6. Syllabus and Reading Assignments
Required Readings:
Recommended Reading:
Marc Gopin, Between Eden and Armageddon, Oxford University Press, 2000
International Conflict Resolution (2):
Religions between War and Peace
Instructor: Bridget Moix
PART I: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives on Religion in War and Peace
22 January 2002 Unit 1: Introduction
29 January 2002 Unit 2: Religion in Conflict Resolution Theory
5 February 2002 Unit 3: Inter-religious Peacemaking in Practice
Guest Speaker from the World Conference on Religion and Peace
PART II: Conflict and its Resolution in the Major Faith Traditions
12 February 2002 Unit 4: A Jewish Perspective on Religion and Conflict Transformation
Guest Speaker: Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Temple Shalom, Maryland
19 February 2002 Unit 5: A Hindu Perspective on Religion and Conflict Transformation
Guest Speaker: Mary McGee, Columbia University
26 February 2002 Unit 6: A Muslim Perspective on Religion and Conflict Transformation
Guest Speaker: Mohammed Abu-Nimer, American University
5 March 2002 Unit 7: A Buddhist Perspective on Religion and Conflict Transformation
Guest Speaker: Kyoichi Sugino, World Conference on Religion and Peace
12 March 2002 Unit 8: A Christian Perspective on Religion and Conflict Transformation
Guest Speaker: Andrea Bartoli, International Conflict Resolution Program
26 March 2002 Unit 9: Fundamentalism Across Traditions
PART III: Roles, Methods, and Recommendations
2 April 2002 Unit 10: Recommendations for Religious Actors
9 April 2002 Unit 11: Student Case Study Presentations
16 April 2002 Unit 12: Student Case Study Presentations
23 April 2002 Unit 13: Simulation Workshop (design and phase I)
30 April 2002 Unit 14: Simulation Workshop continued and Lessons Learned