EXAM # 1

RLST 4800

RELIGION AND NONVIOLENCE Spring, 2009

Choose one (1) of the following statements, and write an essay explaining why you agree or disagree with the statement, drawing heavily on the material we have studied so far in this course.

1. The nonviolence tradition, as it developed in the U.S. from colonial times to the 1930s, may be interesting as a historical curiosity. But there is no practical value in studying it, because its idea are all so totally utopian. In fact these movements had so little influence because they were so utopian. They never suggested any realistic program for improving life in the U.S.

2. The history of nonviolence movements in the U.S. from colonial times to the 1930s shows the many different ways in which people have tried to argue logically that principled nonviolence is the best way to live. What is most striking in this history is the diversity. There is no single argument or approach to the subject that all these adherents of nonviolence shared in common. If they could not agree among themselves, this shows that there is no single, coherent, convincing argument for nonviolence.

In each case, in your answer to the question, be sure to explain which of the sentences in the paragraph you think are true, which are not true, and WHY.

This exam covers material studied in class through Feb. 12. It is due in class on Feb. 17.

Essays should be about four (4) typed pages or the equivalent in neat handwriting; all papers double-spaced, please.

I will be happy to discuss your paper with you as you prepare it, either in office hours or by appointment.

(OVER)

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING ESSAY EXAMS

There is no "correct" answer to the questions in this course. The questions are merely a springboard to give you an opportunity to show what you have learned in the course. As in any other academic course, you are being tested on your ability to understand, organize, synthesize, and think logically about the ideas presented in the course. Therefore, in answering the question, you should show that you have read the assigned readings, attended class, and grasped the main ideas presented in readings and class. But please remember that your grade is always based on your demonstrated understanding of the course material. Your primary responsibility in every essay is to show what you have learned in this course. The more course material you include in your essay, presented accurately and logically, the better your grade will be.

A good essay is written clearly, concisely, and precisely. It offers a series of general ideas, with each one supported by more specific ideas or evidence, and all the general ideas are arranged in a logical order. Make sure your essay has a clear logical flow of ideas within each paragraph and from one paragraph to the next. If your paragraphs could be rearranged in a different order and make just as much sense, your essay is not yet well organized! A good way to avoid this problem is to write a draft, make an outline of it so that you can see the organization of your essay clearly, then reorganize the outline in more logical form, then write a final draft following the revised outline. Make every word count, from the very first word; avoid needless introductions and repetitive conclusions. Make every sentence add a new thought or a new way of supporting a main idea.

You should always show that you can express the main ideas of the course in your own words. A good way to do this is to assume that you are writing for someone who knows nothing about the subject; imagine you are writing to a parent, a friend, etc. Do not use lengthy quotations (though you may want to refer to specific pages in the readings in parentheses or footnotes).

THE SAME GUIDELINES WILL APPLY FOR EVERY EXAM.

PLEASE SAVE THIS SHEET FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

EXAM # 2

RLST 4820

RELIGION AND NONVIOLENCE Spring, 2009

CHOOSE ONE (1) OF THE FOLLOWING.

Be sure to identify which question you are answering.

A. In order to have a productive debate, two people must first fully understand each other as fully as possible. Without such understanding, each person may be criticizing an idea or view that the other person does not really hold. Gandhi and Niebuhr never met. If they had, could they possibly have had a productive debate? Could they have understood each other fully? Or were their basic assumptions and premises so different that they would simply talk past each other and never really understand the other’s point of view?

To answer this question, identify the most basic or most important points on which Niebuhr and Gandhi disagreed. In each case, explain each one’s position on that point, then analyze the sources of their disagreement. Were they actually understanding each other and disagreeing about the same thing? Or were they starting out from such different premises that they simply failed to understand each other? After analyzing the examples of disagreement, draw some general conclusions to answer the questions in the first paragraph above.

B. Write an essay evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments presented by Gandhi and Niebuhr about nonviolence. Which of Gandhi’s points are most convincing, which least convincing, and why? Which of Neibuhr’s points are most convincing, which least convincing, and why? Overall, do you think Gandhi or Niebuhr makes a more convincing case about violence and nonviolence? Why?

This exam covers material studied in class from February 19 through March 31. It is due in class on April 2.

Essays should be about five (5) pages double-spaced.

Please refer to the guidelines on the back of Exam # 1. The same guidelines apply for all essays in this course.

FINAL EXAM

RLST 4820 Spring 2009

Religion and Nonviolence

Answer ONE (1) of the following questions.

Please be sure to identify which question you are answering.

1. Most of the movements we have studied in this course have been based on some form of Christian faith and belief. However, since World War II the U.S. has seen an increasing number of people committed to nonviolence without any religious basis for their commitment. Considering ONLY the last 65 or 70 years, does the evidence indicate that principled nonviolence needs a religious basis? Write an essay discussing this issue. Some points you may want to consider: Do you think secular nonviolence can be a strong long-term movement, or does nonviolence need a religious basis? Must one choose between secular and religious bases if one wants to be a nonviolent activist, or can the two be blended together? If they can be blended, how are the differences between them best resolved? All things considered, are we better off having a secular nonviolence tradition available?

Be sure you come to some definite conclusions in your essay. And be sure your essay draws only on material we studied that dates from the late 1930s to the present (do NOT include Gandhi or Niebuhr.)

2. Write an essay evaluating the following statement:

Since World War II, diversity has become the main fact of the nonviolence movements in the U.S. We can speak only of nonviolence movements in the plural, not of a nonviolence movement in the singular. There is religious and secular nonviolence, black and white and Latino and Native American nonviolence, patriarchal and feminist nonviolence, etc. But there is no single unified movement. What makes each of these groups distinctive is more central to them than the vague similarities that seem to tie them together.

What arguments could be presented to support and to refute this statement? Which set of arguments do you find more convincing; i.e., do you agree or disagree? Why?

Please refer to previously distributed guidelines for essays, which should be followed for this essay too.

Essays should be about five (5) double-spaced pages.

The exam is due in my mailbox in the Religious Studies department office, Humanities 273 on Tuesday, May 5, by 4:00 PM.

I will be glad to discuss your essay with you at any time, as you are preparing it. If you want the final version returned to you with my comments after it is graded, please attach a stamped self-addressed envelope, or get in touch with me after June 4.