MB507/607: Resolving Cultural and Religious Conflict (4 units)

Evelyne A. Reisacher, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies
Spring 2006 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course explores the role of culture and religion in conflict resolution, with attention to both theories and practices and their applications to Christian ministries.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• An understanding of the field of cross-cultural and inter-religious conflict resolution and transformation
• An ability to compare and contrast different approaches to cross-cultural and inter-religious conflict and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses for use in the context of Christian ministry
• An awareness of one’s own approach to conflict across culture or religion.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet for three-hour sessions once weekly for ten weeks. It will include both lectures and small group interaction on case studies.

REQUIRED READING: (Read 1200 pages from the required and recommended reading lists. If you already read a book from the required reading list for another class, substitute it with a book from the recommended reading list)

Augsburger, David W. Conflict Mediation Across Cultures: Pathways and Patterns. Louisville, KY: Westminster Knox Press, 1995.
Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry, Intervarsity Press. 1994.
Avruch, Kevin, Peter W. Black, and Joseph Scimecca, eds. Conflict Resolution: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. New York: Greenwood Press, 1991.
Volf, Miroslav. Exclusion and Embrace: A Theological Exploration of Identity, Otherness, and Reconciliation. Abindgon Press, 1996

RECOMMENDED READING:

Abu-Nimer, Muhammad. Nonviolence and Peace Building in Islam: Theory and Practice. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2003.
Coward, Harold, and Gordon S. Smith. Religion and Peacebuilding. State University of New York Press, 2004.
Fry, Douglas P. and Kaj Björkqvist, eds. Cultural Variation in Conflict Resolution: Alternatives to Violence. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Publishers, 1997.
Jandt, Fred E., and Paul B. Pedersen. Constructive Conflict Management: Asia-Pacific Cases, Sage Publications, 1996.
LeBaron, Michelle. Bridging Cultural Conflicts: A New Approach For A Changing World. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003.
Lederach, John. Preparing for Peace: Conflict Transformation Across Cultures. Syracuse University Press, 1995.

ASSIGNMENTS:

• Write a 3000-word paper applying the readings and materials found in the syllabus and discussed in class. The paper must focus on a case-study of conflict in a culture or religion differing from that of the student. The paper’s topic must be approved by the professor.
• A mini-case study of cross-cultural or inter-religious conflict will be explored with 4 or 5 classmates and a group presentation made during the second week of class. Participation in this small group is a crucial part of the learning experience and is required in order to receive credit. The case-study presented by the small group must differ from the one chosen for the research paper.
• Write interaction papers, each 500 words long, on three books from the required or recommended list.
• Write 750 words of reflection on your own ability to engage in cross-cultural or inter-religious conflict resolution/transformation.
• For ThM Students: Read an additional 300 pages and write two additional book interaction papers.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.