PS333G CASE STUDIES IN NONVIOLENCE AND RECONCILIATION Course Syllabus - Mr. Snarr

Term
Fall 2026
Section
M1
Course Delivery
ln person­[FTF]
Class Program
Credits 4.00
Using several historical and contemporary cases, this course will introduce students to the power of strategic nonviolence against some of the most repressive governments in history, including Hitler, Milosevic, the Soviet Union, etc.The course will also examine attempts at post-conflict nonviolent reconciliation. The motivation behind these nonviolent movements and approaches to reconcilitation, their strategies, and why so little is known about them will be considered.
Prerequisites
Junior or senior standing

Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details

Meeting Days:
W
Meeting Times:
6:00-8:00
Location:
DCI

Contact Information

Instructor:
Mr. Snarr
Instructor Email:
michael_snarr@wilmington.edu
Phone Number
9374812436
Course Materials

War No More: An Introduction to Nonviolent Struggles for Justice by Michael K. Duffy (2021)

Mighty Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, Prayer, and Sex Changed a Nation at War by Leymah Gbowee (2011)

Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour (1987)

Additional readings TBA

Instructor's Course Objectives

Goals for Global Awareness Education

With reference to Wilmington College’s mission, vision, core values, and queries, students will gain a greater understanding of:

1. the perspectives of cultures other than their own;

2. global issues, especially as they relate to peace, social justice, and/or ecology;

3. and their roles as engaged members of an interconnected global community.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the course, students should be able to:

1. assess the effectiveness of nonviolence and reconciliation.

2. explain how nonviolence can be judged.

3. explain why people choose nonviolence.

4. compare how various nonviolent campaigns relate to one another.

5. explain the role of power in nonviolence.

6. explain the role of creativity in nonviolence and reconciliation.

Course Schedule

Tentative Schedule

Subject to change during the semester.

Week 1 (Aug. 24)

Introduction to the course

Video: Bringing Down a Dictator

Video: Denmark

 

Week 2 (Aug. 31)

Read Duffey, “Foreword,” “Introduction & Chapter 1: “A Hundred Years of Horrific War-Making”

“How Should We Then Teach American History?” by James Juhnke (pdf)

Read Duffey Appendix 2: “A thought experiment Civil War…”

“The Myth of the Domination System” by Walter Wink (pdf)

Video: Chile

 

Week 3 (Sept. 7)

MLK Holiday, Monday, January 17

Read Duffey Chapter 2: “Mohandas Gandhi, The Father of Modern Nonviolence”

Video: India

Read Chapter 3: “Successful NV Revolutions”

 

Week 4 (Sept. 14)

Video: Poland

Read Duffey Chapter 4: “Systemic Racism from the Civil Rights Struggle to the Black Lives Matter Movement”

Read “Declaration of Independence from the War in Vietnam” by MLK, Jr. (pdf)

Read “Loving Your Enemies” by MLK, Jr. (pdf)

Read Chapter 5 “NV Struggles in US, US Farm, Native Americans, Black South Africans:

 

Week 5 (Sept. 21)

Exam #1

Read Chapter 6: Violent America

 

Week 6 (Sept. 28)

Read Duffey Chapter 7: “NV Citizen Movements for Justice”

Read Duffey Chapter 8: “NV, World Religions, and the Virtues”

 

Week 7 (Oct. 5)

Read Rigby: Chapter 1: “Reconciliation and Forgiveness in the Past” (pdf)

Video: South Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpBoHb59iVY&t=3078s (go to 51:20 mark)

 

Week 8 (Oct. 12)

Read “Pledging Allegiance: Reflections on Discipleship and the Church after Rwanda” by Michael Budde (pdf)

Read Duffey Afterword

Read “Why Civil Resistance Works” by Maria Stephan and Erica Chenoweth (pdf): https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Why-Civil-Resistance-Works-Article.pdf

Exam #2

 

Week 9 (Oct. 19)

Read Chacour

 

Week 10 (Oct. 26)

Read Chacour

 

Week 11 (Nov. 2)

Read Chacour

 

Week 12 (Nov. 9)

Read Chacour

Read Duffey Appendix I “Two Unsuccessful NV Struggles for Revolution (Ireland and Pal)”

Exam #3

 

Week 13 (Nov. 16)

Read Gbowee: Part One

 

Week 14 (Nov. 23)

Thanksgiving (No Classes)

 

Week 15 (Nov. 30)

Read Gbowee: Part Two

 

Week 16 (Dec. 7)

Read Gbowee: Part Three

Last class (Dec. 9)

 

Final Exam (Friday, Dec. 11 @ 6:00-8:00)

Exam #4

 

Course Assignments

1. Many classes will begin with a 15-minute in-class writing period focusing on the readings assigned for that class.

2. There will be 4 exams. Do not miss exams! Unexcused exam absences will result in a zero. If you must miss an exam notify me well in advance of the exam date and provide documentation for missing. If you unexpectedly miss an exam, contact me immediately! Failure to do will likely lead to a zero for the test.

Course Final Exam
Friday, Dec. 11 @ 6:00-8:00
Evaluation of Work

Point Structure Grade Structure

In-class writings = 40% 

Exam 1 = 15% 

Exam 2 = 15% 

Exam 3 = 15% 

Exam 4 = 15%

 

A-=90-92 (outstanding)

B+=87-89; B=83-86; B-=80-82 (good)

C+=77-79; C=73-76; C-=70-72 (average)

D+=67-69; D=60-66; (below average)

F=59 or below (inadequate)

Instructor Course Policies

Instructor's Course Attendance Policy

See the current Student Handbook for the college Attendance Policy especially as it pertains to excused absences.

Instructor's Academic Integrity Policy

See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges. Academic misconduct (including plagiarism) will not be tolerated!!! Academic misconduct will lead to an F for the assignment and possibly the class. When taking tests you will be penalized for violating test-taking principles (all notes out of sight, keep your eyes on your own paper, cover your answers). Do not wear hats during tests.

Title IX Statement of Policy

Consistent with Wilmington College’s testimony, “I will respect the dignity of all persons,” Wilmington College (or the “College”) is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment free of discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of sex and gender by employees, students, and third parties. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), Wilmington College prohibits discrimination based on sex (including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation) in its educational, extracurricular, athletic, or other programs or activities that it operates, or in the context of admissions or employment. Specifically, Title IX provides, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Wilmington College considers sex and gender discrimination in all its forms, including sexual harassment, to be a serious offense. Consistent with Wilmington College’s commitment to compliance with Title IX, the College will promptly and equitably respond to all reports and formal complaints under this Sex Discrimination & Sexual Harassment Policy (the “Policy”) in order to end the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on individuals and the community. Inquiries regarding the application of this Policy may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary of the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both.

Religious Accommodations

Wilmington College strives for an inclusive climate and welcomes students from all backgrounds, faiths, and experiences. If religious observance impedes your ability to participate fully in classroom activities or a principal holiday from your religious tradition occurs during the semester and conflicts with class meetings or activities, please make the professor aware of this immediately to determine if a reasonable accommodation is possible.

ADA and Students with Disabilities

Wilmington College and the Office of Compliance and Integrity are committed to ensuring equal access to students with disabilities, including physical, medical, and psychiatric disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and feel you may need a reasonable accommodation to fulfill the essential functions of this course, you are encouraged to connect with your site coordinator. Please understand that formal eligibility communication from the Office of Compliance and Integrity must be presented prior to the coordination of accommodations for this course.

Institutional and Program-Level Policies

Final Exam Schedule
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.

Undergraduate:  FA26 Final Exam Schedule    

 

Out-of-class Work Expectation

A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week.

Instructional Course Delivery                                                                                                            

Definition of Courses

Academic Integrity Policy

The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions.

Academic Integrity Policy

Class Attendance Policy                              

Institutional Class Attendance Policy