Teaching Peace: Nonviolence and the Liberal Arts [Paperback]

Denny J. Weaver (Author), Gerald Biesecker-Mast (Author), Glen H. Stassen (Contributor), Michael L. Westmoreland-White (Contributor), J Denny Weaver (Contributor), David Janzen (Contributor), John Kampen (Contributor), Perry Bush (Contributor), James H. Satterwhite (Contributor), Daniel Wessner (Contributor), Susan Biesecker-Mast (Contributor), Jeff Gundy (Contributor), Cynthia L. Bandish (Contributor), Gregg J. Luginbuhl (Contributor), Melissa Friesen (Contributor), Mark J. Suderman (Contributor), James M. Harder (Contributor), Jeff Gingerich (Contributor), Pamela S. Nath (Contributor), Ronald L. Friesen (Contributor), Angela Horn Montel (Contributor), W Todd Rainey (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2003

This book opens a new frontier in understanding nonviolence. Discussions of peace and nonviolence usually focus on either moral theory or practical dimensions of applying nonviolence in conflict situations. Teaching Peace carries the discussion of nonviolence beyond ethics and into the rest of the academic curriculum. This book isn't just for religion or philosophy teachers--it is for all educators. Teaching Peace begins with a discussion rooted in Christian theology, where nonviolence is so central and important. But it is clear that there are other paths to nonviolence, and that one certainly doesn't have to be a Christian to practice nonviolence. The pieces that follow, therefore, show how a nonviolent perspective impacts disciplines across the curriculum--from acting, to biology, to mathematics, to psychology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is an excellent resource for libraries, educators, and peace practitioners. It is filled with many stimulating ideas and insights and rewards a careful reading. Any individual concerned about teaching peace at a liberal arts institution will want to be familiar with this collection. (Brethren In Christ History And Life )

About the Author

J. Denny Weaver is professor of religion and Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Religion at Bluffton College. He is the author of four previous books. Gerald Biesecker-Mast is associate professor of communication at Bluffton College. This is the second volume he has co-edited.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742514579
• ISBN-13: 978-0742514577
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,278,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The liberal arts in nonviolent perspective, November 21, 2003

By 

Michael Westmoreland-White (Louisville, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teaching Peace: Nonviolence and the Liberal Arts (Paperback)

This is a perfect book for introducing college or university students to the philosophy of Christian nonviolence (pacifism). An opening chapter defines violence and shows the development of the concept of nonviolence from one of "not resisting" evil to "passive resistance" to nonviolent direct action in struggles for justice and peace. The rest of the book looks at the various disciplines of the liberal arts (the humanities, arts, and sciences) from the perspective of a prior commitment to nonviolence and analyzes the results. Does a commitment to nonviolence make a difference in the teaching of history (must students simply memorize battles and wars, as if they are the only important events? What difference does a commitment to nonviolence make to understanding the economics of global marketization? Does nonviolence play any role in understanding cell biology or mathematics? Many of the answers will surprise you.
The work is intended to provoke more conversations than it answers. Here is a book that could challenge your notions of education, violence and nonviolence, and of the difference that minority convictions make in one's approach to a discipline in the liberal arts.