We might remember that whatever else divides us as human beings, we all need air and water; and virtually all of our hearts rejoice at the sounds of spring.
These commonalities may save us when the visions of race, class, gender, ethnicity or sexuality leave us deeply suspicious of each other.
Emphasizing what we share is a particular gift of spiritual social activists.
Roger S Gottlieb
2011 Courses
All courses can be taken for training or for undergraduate credit. In addition, Covenants of Peace and Justice and Fellowship of Reconciliation can be taken for graduate credit. All courses run for 5 days, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Participants may apply for only one course each week and may apply for one week or for multiple weeks.
SESSION I – JUNE 6-10, 2011
BOTTOM-UP TRANSFORMATION: EXPERIENCES AND PRACTICES OF GRASSROOTS PEACEBUILDING FROM INTERNATIONAL CONTEXTS
All courses can be taken for training or for undergraduate credit. In addition, Covenants of Peace and Justice and Fellowship of Reconciliation can be taken for graduate credit. All courses run for 5 days, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Participants may apply for only one course each week and may apply for one week or for multiple weeks.
SESSION I – JUNE 6-10, 2011
BOTTOM-UP TRANSFORMATION: EXPERIENCES AND PRACTICES OF GRASSROOTS PEACEBUILDING FROM INTERNATIONAL CONTEXTS
PCTS-2950/3
Myla Leguro, Wendy Kroeker
This course will explore and highlight experiences and models of grassroots peacebuilding from Asia and other parts of the world. It seeks to distill lessons, emerging strategies and approaches, and also challenges in addressing violence, transforming conflict, and rebuilding communities from the perspective of grassroots peacebuilders. Understanding that grassroots peacebuilding needs to be contextualized within the larger framework of building peace, the course will also examine how efforts from the ground are harnessed, constrained, and complemented amidst the wide array of efforts of various stakeholders and actors in the society.
COVENANTS OF PEACE AND JUSTICE
BTS-3995/3 & BTS-5995/3
Stan McKay
This course will introduce a Cree Christian perspective on living in covenant relationships. An examination of biblical covenants, historic First Nations treaties and contemporary struggles for justice will be the focus for exploring the role of peacemakers in a global context. There will be discussion about the centrality of the natural world in developing approaches to peacemaking. There will be time each day in “sharing circles,” which will enable students to share from their perspectives and learn from each other. The final day may include a feast and conversations about our philosophies of life that help or hinder our work for justice and peace. Bring a folding chair or blanket so that we can spend time outdoors for a part of each day.
STUDY OF VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY
IDS-2521/3
Mark Burch
Within International Development Studies, development is increasingly understood as a participatory, deliberate process aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals within community. This course examines the concept, theory, and practice of voluntary simplicity as a means of development for individuals seeking alternatives to consumer values and culture. The course explores both the historical roots of voluntary simplicity and its modern expressions, with special emphasis on the relevance of simplicity to building emotional well-being, vibrant community, sustainable environment, and social justice.
PEACE AND JUSTICE IN ISLAM: A SHI'ITE PERSPECTIVE
RLGN/PCTS 2950/3
Mohammad Ali Shomali
Peace and justice are two great ends in most religious traditions and philosophical worldviews. In Islam, especially the Shi’a Islam, these two occupy a very high position. In the Qur’an, “Peace” is a name for God, and heaven is characterized as “the abode of peace.” The term Islam comes from the root “silm” which means peace. Justice is also a quality of God and divine justice is taken as a principle of faith. God expects us also to be just with respect to ourselves and others, including our enemies. The prophets are sent by God in order to guide and help people to establish social justice. The major characteristic of Islamic utopia, which will be established in the end of time (akhir al-zamaan) under the leadership of the 12th Imam, is full implementation of justice. This course will study both peace and justice from an Islamic theological and spiritual point of view.
SESSION II – JUNE 13-17, 2011
CREATIVE ARTS AND CROSS-CULTURAL CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
PCTS 2950/3
Michelle LeBaron
Cross-cultural conflicts involve navigating among diverse identities, meanings and ever-changing perceptions. Holistic approaches are needed to meet difference with dialogue and integrating intuition with analysis to inform collaborative processes. Experiential education and dialogue will be used in this class to explore processes, capacities, and creative tools to bridge cross-cultural conflicts by drawing on multiple intelligences. We will apply theory, research and practical skills to interpersonal, intercommunal, and international conflicts.
INTERPERSONAL MEDIATION IN YOUR COMMUNITY: FRAMEWORKS, SKILLS AND PRESENCE
PCTS-2190/3 (Peace Skills Course)
David Dyck
Offered in partnership with Resolution Skills Centre, the training division of Mediation Services.
This course explores the frameworks, skills, and personal qualities needed to effectively mediate between people in conflict. It is specifically designed for those who need to mediate between people they know well and who have a personal stake in seeing the conflict resolved. Developing a clear understanding of mediation theories and skills (knowing and doing) are essential and will form the backbone of the course. This course will devote significant time toward growing our beings, recognizing that who we are is at least as important as what we know or what we can do.
LENSES FOR UNDERSTANDING AND ENGAGING VIOLENCE
PCTS 3950/3
Richard McCutcheon
This course is based on a belief that everyone has experienced violence and everyone has assumptions about what violence is, which affects the peacebuilder’s responses to violence. Participants will be introduced to four theoretical lenses which help in understanding violence – realist, typological, processual and experiential. We will draw on the experiences of participants and explore how these models may affect their efforts at peacebuilding in whatever social context they work. Students should come prepared for an intense and rewarding exploration of one of the most troubling topics faced by social change agents.
SESSION III – JUNE 20-24, 2011
FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION: REFLECTIONS ON 100 YEARS OF FAITH-BASED PEACEBUILDING
BTS-3995/3 & BTS-5995/3
Paul Dekar
This course explores the experience of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) with attention to faith-based, practical peacemaking and conflict transformation in local communities and the world. For nearly one hundred years, FOR members have worked in Canada and around the world to create a community in which people, nurtured by diverse spiritual traditions, seek to respect differences, address conflicts non-violently, dismantle oppressive structures, and live in harmony with the earth. This course will survey and evaluate the vision and work of FOR, and give course participants the opportunity to reflect on how these insights can contribute to peacebuilding in different contexts.
NONVIOLENT ACTION STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
PCTS 3950/3
George Lakey
We will explore several major topics that bear on the art of strategizing: (a) discerning the three major applications of non-violent action and how the framing of these affects strategy; (b) exploring two developmental models for strategizing (Bill Moyer’s and George Lakey’s); (c) studying the uses of strategy concepts such as “center of gravity” (Clauswitz), “campaign,” and “narrative.” Although theory matters for the course, the goal will be to assist participants to become more useful in the actual strategizing task. Case studies and strategy games will therefore be used.
PEACEMAKING CIRCLES: PHILOSOPHY AND APPLICATIONS
PCTS 2950/3
Kay Pranis
This course will explore the values and philosophy that provide the foundation of the peacemaking circle process. It will also describe the structure of the peacemaking circle process as well as a variety of types of circles. The course will provide examples of the use of the process in the justice system, social services, faith communities, neighborhoods, schools and families. Participants will learn to design and conduct peacemaking circles for community building and conflict resolution. The course will be conducted in the peacemaking circle format providing direct experience for participants.
