“Gun Violence Prevention: Peace Studies and Action” PEAC 077 will be offered again this semester, and spots remain available in the course. This community-based learning class will partner with local gun violence prevention organizations to integrate and develop knowledge about the problem of gun violence that can support their work.
Peace Studies and Action aims to bridge the gaps between peace research, theory, and implementation by encouraging students to move between each as we study nonviolent ways of conducting conflict and the challenges of developing and sustaining effective peace work. While developing a nuanced understanding of the problem of gun violence, we also aim to get close to the experience of peacemakers and activists by consulting with and visiting local peace organizations and engaging with invited guests. As a class, we will collaborate with local organizations to contribute to their work while developing our own research skills.
Discussion over course readings will also be emphasized. This course will encourage collaboration and active participation in delivering the content of the course. The class will meet on Tuesdays 1:15-4:00 in the Lang Center Seminar Room (#106). This course has no pre-requisite.
For more information, contact Professor Lee Smithey at lsmithe1. Download and display a flyer.
The spring semester begins on Martin Luther King day, and as on many topics, Dr. King illuminates peace studies with his vision for education:
“Education without social action is a one-sided value because it has no true power potential. Social action without education is a weak expression of pure energy. Deeds uninformed by educated thought can take false directions. When we go into action and confront our adversaries, we must be as armed with knowledge as they. Our policies should have the strength of deep analysis beneath them to be able to challenge the clever sophistries of our opponents.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr. Where Do We Go from here: Chaos or Community? (p. 155)
For a brief introduction to the problem of gun violence in Philadelphia, view this short video by Jim MacMillan, a founder of GunCrisis.org and former Journalist in Residence at Swarthmore.
Tweets from the Spring 2013 section of the class: [no longer available. See #swatgvp on Twitter for all tweets.]