Project on Culture and Conflict

Continued from Introduction -- Part 2

NOTE: As noted previously, this project was eventually cancelled.

Proposal for the Project on Culture and Conflict (PCC)

NOTE: This proposal was endorsed by the Faculty of the University of Arizona’s Africana Studies Program, in their formal meeting of Monday, April 17, 2006. Suggested modifications by faculty members have been incorporated in the herein draft of the project.

Proposed by: Moji Agha, April 12, 2006, Tucson, Arizona

Proposal 

It is proposed, hereby, that a “Project on Culture and Conflict” (PCC) be created within the Africana Studies Program at the College of Humanities, University of Arizona.

The Need

In the past several centuries our world has been impacted profoundly, by the multi-faceted interfaces of modernity, religion (Islam, in particular) and the policies of the Western powers. Such interactions and their resulting multi-dimensional impacts are not understood properly (also within American academia), in part because the complex processes that shape the inter-woven relationships that exist between culture and conflict (lived culture, in particular) have not been analyzed and understood adequately.

Thus, it is respectfully proposed, herein, that a “Project on Culture and Conflict (PCC)” is needed, in order to deepen the theoretical and applied understandings (and experiences) of the interactions between culture and conflict, in the contexts referenced above. 

Summary Mission Statement

The proposed mission of the Project on Culture and Conflict (PCC) within the Africana Studies Program at the College of Humanities, University of Arizona, is to deepen the theoretical and applied understandings (and experiences) of the complex processes that shape the inter-woven relationships that exist between culture and conflict (lived culture, in particular) especially in the context of the multi-faceted interfaces of religion (most specifically, Islam), modernity, and the policies of the Western powers in recent centuries.

Methods of Operation: Summary

It is proposed that the methods by which the mission of the Project on Culture and Conflict (PCC) could be accomplished, include the following offerings, as appropriate:

- Didactic and applied inter-disciplinary, inter-institutional, and inter-medium (including on-line) local and international courses, lectures, seminars, conferences, applied workshops, general and specific research assignments, internships, cooperative ventures, and other effective methods of research, education, and training; eventually leading to an Educational Certificate Program of Competency in Culture and Conflict.

Methods of Operation: Description (with examples)

It is proposed that the PCC begin by offering the following elements:

I- Courses

We Would develop and offer courses that specifically address the hidden dynamics of culture, especially lived culture, surrounding the impacts of the complex interactions between modernity and religion (Islam, in particular), especially in the context of the policies of the Western powers in the 19th and 20th centuries.

For example, in this regard, an introductory new interdisciplinary course called “Culture-analysis: The Essence of Diversity” has been developed, and is being proposed to be taught, by the writer of this proposal. Subsequent courses to be developed in this context, include:

- Culture-analysis of Conflict, Peace, Stability, and Harmony

- Culture-analysis of Social Reality, Modern Identity, Ethnicity, and Race

- Culture-analysis of Politics, Governance, Rights, and Development

- Culture-analysis of Ideology, Revolutionary Change, Social Engineering, and Propaganda

- Culture-analysis of Religion, Spirituality, Morality, and Transcendence

II- Lecture Series

We would invite celebrated national and international scholars and experts, especially from relevant settings and regions experiencing conflict, to give major lectures on the issues surrounding culture, conflict, religion, modernity, and colonial policies.

Examples:

- Noam Chomsky

- Cornel West

- Richard Falk

- William Beeman

- Robert Fisk

- Abdolkarim Soroush

- Ervand Abrahamian

- Mohammad Khatami

- Others, as appropriate and possible, per suggestion of advisory committee.

III- Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops

The PCC would organize and/or host appropriate gatherings of scholars and experts, surrounding the issues entailed in its mission. For example, we could host the annual international conference that is convened by the Dialogue of Civilizations and Cultures Organization, based in Iran (and Europe). Other examples could include organizing and hosting regional conferences and seminars that focus either on the theme of the inter-relationships that exist between culture and conflict in general, or on the cultural dynamics of specific religio-political conflicts in (or related to) the Middle East, for example.

IV- Internships, Assignments, Exchanges, and Cooperative Ventures

The PCC would offer specific research assignments, practicum internships, scholar and student exchanges, and inter-institutional cooperative ventures (for example on culturally appropriate peace-building), as appropriate to its mission. 

V- Educational Certificate

The PCC could eventually offer an Educational Certificate Program of Competency in Culture and Conflict. Over time, the project could eventually evolve into a program or institute, offering academic minors, majors, or even graduate courses of study.

Funding

Funding for the PCC will come from donations, grants, fundraising events such as raffles and auctions, and the appropriate fees generated by its programs and services.

INITIAL STEPS

The initial action steps in initiating this project would take place within the Planning Phase for the PCC, starting with:

Step 1:

Identifying and contacting several appropriate members, for the PCC's initial "advisory committee."

Step 2:

a) Holding a number of "consultation sessions" (in person, where possible), in order to get input and feedback as to the initial specific directions of the project.

b) Writing, based on the present proposal, a reasonably detailed initial "blueprint" for the project, which would also serve as a part of an initial "letter of inquiry" to begin the process of seeking reliable funding for the PCC, from appropriate funding sources.

Step 3:

Developing an initial web page, and eventually holding a public “grand opening” event, with reasonable publicity, in order to inaugurate the project formally.

Initial Staff and Headquarters for the Project

A Coordinator position for the PCC (part-time initially) is hereby proposed. The founder of the project (the writer of this proposal, Moji Agha, presently an Africana Studies Program Visiting Scholar) has accepted this assignment, on a voluntary basis, until funding is found for the project (see the Funding segment, above), while also offering his home/office as the temporary initial headquarters for the project. 

Continued on the "Culture-analysis -- Course Syllabus" Page...