This course is not currently offered, please contact the school or faculty of your program.

Course description

This course explores the philosophical underpinnings and practical application of nonviolence as a means for effecting social change. Making extensive use of case studies and primary sources, we will study the relationship between violence and nonviolence in the context of particular historical conflicts and social and political struggles, as well as examining debates over the ethics and efficacy of resistance. By focusing on nonviolence, as well as its ostensible opposite, students will gain insight into the character of social relations and the distinct forms of violence and nonviolence which mark the everyday lived experiences of people. Such insights allow students to think anew about the nature of contemporary conflicts and resistance movements, including, for example, the role of new technologies and social media in the pursuit of social change.