BIS Fall Semester
Gandhi and the Native American Peacekeepers, 2010 Syllabus
Rachel Mann, PhD, Instructor, phone: 434-227-0538; email: rachel@mettaknowledge.com
Date
Topic
Reading/Film Due
Assignment Due
August 24
August 31
September 7
Introduction to the Course
Gandhi Writes His Life
The Life and Image of
Gandhi
Knowing War and Violence
None
The Essential Gandhi, ix-165
The Essential Gandhi, 173-283
Journal 1
September 14
September 21
September 25
Saturday
nonviolence
training
October 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
November 2
November 9
Our Love of War
Peacekeeper Mind
Gandhi (dir. Attenborough); The
Essential Gandhi, 284-323
Hedges, all
Ywahoo, 1-144
Guest Speaker: Trishuwa
Soul Force and
Nonviolence 1
Soul Force and
Nonviolence 2
The Crystal Teachings
The Indigenous Wisdom
Fire
Journal 2
Journal 3
Nobel Laureate presentations due; Journal 2
Research Break
Nagler, 1-132; Bloody Sunday dir.
Greengrass
Nagler, 133-285
Ywahoo, 145-265
Sun Bear
November 16
Saturday
November 20
Crystal
Compassion
retreat
November 24-29
November 30
Healing and Nonviolence
Thanksgiving Break
TBA
December 7
Reflecting on Peace Within
Your classmates’ portfolios
Paper for Nobel Laureate project due
Journal 4
Journal 5
Research Break
Active Nonviolence Presentations Due; Portfolio
due
Paper for Active Nonviolence project due
Class Components and Grading:
Class Participation (both in class and in Discussion Boards) (15%)
Journals (15%)
Personal Portfolio (20%)
Projects:
Nobel Laureate (25%)
Active Nonviolence (25%)
Journals Description: Journals are a personal reflection on the materials in class and on your personal experiences as your explore these topics. They
should be approximately 1 single-spaced page long. The grade is based on 1) How much you have engaged directly with readings, films, and discussions in
your writing; 2) Turning in the journal in a timely manner.
Personal Portfolio Description: A personal portfolio is due the day before the last day of class. It is a slightly longer reflection on your process and what you
have learned in the course of the entire class. It should be 2-5 pages long, double-spaced. The grade is based on the same criteria as the journals.
Project Descriptions:
Two projects are due during the course of the semester. For each, you will work in pairs and choose the person and movement you will study. For each
project, you will write a paper of 3-5 pages in length (double-spaced, 12 pt. type, regular margins) and make a 10-minute presentation to class. Your
presentation should include handouts and photos.
Nobel Peace Laureate Project: Choose a Nobel Peace Laureate from the list provided. Your presentation and paper will answer the following questions:
1) On what basis was the individual selected by the Nobel Committee?
2) What life experiences led this individual to take the actions s/he did?
3) In what way does this person exemplify the attributes or principles set forth by Gandhi?
4) How is this person continuing his/her work after receiving the award?
Suggested Laureates: Martin Luther King, Jr. (US), The Dalai Lama (Tibet), Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan (Northern Ireland), Aung San Suu Kyi
(Burma), Rigoberta Menchu Tum (Guatemala), Jose Ramos-Horta (East Timor), Archbishop Desmond Tutu (South Africa)
Active Nonviolence Project: Choose an organization or movement in which active nonviolence has been utilized. Your presentation and paper will answer
the following questions:
1) What problems and issues does the movement address?
2) What methods do they use?
3) How successful have they been? Or not?
4) In what way has this movement exemplified the attributes or principles set forth by Gandhi?
Suggested Nonviolence Movements: Victim-Offender Reconciliation Project, Pace e Bene, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Search for Common Ground
The entire course is up in Blackboard. All assignments EXCEPT the PORTFOLIO must be handed in via BB. Failure to use BB will result in a lower grade!!! If
you are having trouble with BB, seek help from the BIS technical staff!!!