Reading and reflection

Step 1. Study analytical tools that help to assess violence as well as the right peacebuilding responses:

• Watch ” (5min):
• Study (2 pages) (free download created and provided by Taylor O’Conner)

Study the(2 pages)
(File is made available by the Albert Einstein Institution and can also be found online here: https://www.aeinstein.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/198-Methods.pdf)

• Step 2. Now apply the above analysis tools to violence and peacebuilding initiatives to the case study of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
  • Watch the following mini-documentaries on people attempting various forms of peacemaking and peacebuilding (some more controversial than others) in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
    • 1. Portraits from Sheikh Jarrah (31 min):
    • 2. Breaking the Silence (12 min):
    • 3. Parent Circle (10 min):
    • 4. Musalaha (7 min):

5. Holy Land Trust (4 min):

Write out responses to the following questions:

1. What forms of violence (drawing upon what you read and watched in Step 1) do you detect in the mini-documentaries? Give a list of all the direct, cultural, and structural forms of violence that are shown (and a quick reference to which video it is in)

2. What forms of nonviolent direct action do you see? Make a list of all that you notice (give evidence/short description) and then give a very brief analysis of what you see as the pros and cons of each of those forms of direct action.

3. Your opinion: Knowing a bit more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict now, as well as various forms of grassroots peacebuilding strategies that are taken by various individuals and groups:
a) What is most disturbing/difficult for you about this conflict and
b) What form of nonviolent direct action gives you the most hope and inspiration? Explain why.

Assessment: Each response should have a minimum of 100 words (so 300 min total for this assignment). Your score for each reading assignment will be based on how carefully and thoughtfully you responded to the questions provided. For more details, see the rubric.

Rubric

UnderstandingReveals a clear understanding of the assigned reading/viewing

EvidenceAbstracts 3-5 significant pieces of information as evidence (page numbers, quotes (direct and/or indirect), etc) in the overall reflection (at least one per answer where more than an opinion is asked)

QualityReveals clear and consistent reflection about the assigned reading/viewing and its application to other course content; writing reveals deeper levels of thinking

QuantityEach question has a minimum of 100 words and is written in complete, complex sentences that are engaging and rich in content

MechanicsExtremely well written, consistently incorporating accurate grammatical structure, spelling, punctuation, and word choice; clearly proofread and edited prior to submission