I. Description of Project to be Supported
We propose to engage in a semester long reading group dealing with the problem of Domestic Violence from a trans-disciplinary perspective, culminating in a presentation of our findings in the form of a public presentation. Our attention will be devoted to readings of relevant texts chosen by members of the reading group, but will also include guest speakers, on site research at family abuse clinics, and the incorporation of various forms of mass media presentations of this phenomenon, whether film, print, or otherwise.
Using the backgrounds of our group members, we hope to explore the causes, intricacies, and possible paths to address this issue. What are its roots in history? What does religion say about the problem? Does it contribute or alleviate it? Does the mass media contribute to this pressing dilemma? What is said about the topic in literature? Each session will be conceived as an extended group discussion of the various perspectives, aspects, or representations presented by the facilitating group member in charge for that day.
Addressing the questions posed in this manner will be done in an effort to create an environment conducive to creative, critical, and deep thinking concerning the issues of Domestic Violence.
II. Plan of Activities/Goals for the Academic Year
The reading group will be conducted during the Spring Semester, 2007, January 16-May 6, roughly every other Wednesday night for two to three hours. The weekly sessions will be as follows:
January 17 First Meeting:
I. Discuss format of plan for semester
II. General Readings: Hannah Arendt, On Violence (New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1970). Paul Robbins, Anger, Agression, and Violence: An Interdisciplinary Approach (Jefferson: McFarland, 2000). Nicky Ali Jackson and Gisele Casanova Oates, Violence in Intimate Relationships: Examining Sociological and Psychological Issues (Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998.
III. Set agenda/listing of questions/issues/problems to be examined in topic areas over the course of the semester
January 24 Lecture to Group by _______ on Domestic Violence
January 31 Group Presenter #1 – Ryan Carhart
Topic: “Slavery and Domestic Violence in the Ancient World”
Readings: Keith Bradley, Slavery and Society at Rome (Cambridge: CUP, 1994). M.I. Finley, Ancient Slavery and Modern Ideology (New York: Viking Press, 1980). Plus additional photocopied primary sources given to group beforehand.
February 7 [OFF – Reading Week]
February 14 Group Presenter #1 – Cont’d
Topic: “Religion and Domestic Violence”
Readings: A. Horton and J. Williamson (editors), Abuse and Religion: When Praying Isn’t Enough (Lexington: Lexington Books, 1988). W. Beuken and K. Kuschel, Religion as a Source of Violence (London: SCM Press, 1997). Ellison, “Are There Religious Variations in Domestic Violence?” in Journal of Family Issues 20 (1999) 87-113. T. Goodley and D. Fowler, “Spiritual and Religious Abuse: Expanding What is Known About Domestic Violence” in Affilia 21 (2006) 282-295.
February 21 [OFF – Reading Week]
February 28 Group Presenter #2 – Rebecca Campana
Topic: Domestic Violence on Stage
Readings: Churchill, Caryl. Cloud 9. (Theatre Communications Group, 1995), Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. (Dramatists Play Service, 1998) Film: selected scenes from “A Streetcar Named Desire,” directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh.
March 7 [OFF – Reading Week]
March 14 Group Presenter #2 – Cont’d
Topic: Domestic Violence in Literature
Readings: Lawson, Kate and Shakinovsky, Lynn. The Marked Body: Domestic Violence in mid-19th Century Literature. (State University of New York Press, 2002), Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. (Harper Press, 1998). Possible Film: selections from “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, directed by Darnell Martin and starring Halle Berry.
March 21 Group trip to Casa de Allegria (5000 Edenhurst Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90039) to see the effects and reactions to Domestic Violence and to interview some of the individuals living in this house of recovery.
March 28 Group Presenter #3 – Rebecca Fabous
April 4 [OFF – Reading Week]
April 11 Group Presenter #3 – Cont’d
April 18 [OFF – Reading Week]
April 25 Group Presenter #4 – Ian Fowles
Topic: Media and Domestic Violence.
Readings: Pockett, Susan, William P. Banks, and Shaun Gallagher, eds. Does Consciousness Cause Behavior?, Cambridge: MIT Press, 2006. Focusing on chapters 14: Truth and/or Consequences: Neuroscience & Criminal Responsibility – by Leonard V. Kaplan and chapter 15: Bypassing Conscious Control: Unconscious Imitation, Media Violence, and Freedom of Speech by Susan Hurley. Also read the Senate subcommittee hearing about possible social effects of violence in the media found at : http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_senate_hearings&docid=f:97532.wais
May 2 [OFF – Reading Week]
May 9 Group Presenter #4 – Cont’d
Reading: Desilet, Gregory. Our Faith In Evil: Melodrama and the Effects of Entertainment Violence, Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2006. Berns, Nancy. Framing the Victim: Domestic Violence, Media, and Social Problems. Hawthorne, N.Y.: Aldinede Gruyter, 2004. View PBS documentary film No Safe Place: Violence Against Women. Marry Dickson, 1996.
May 16 Final Meeting – Discussing where we have been, what we have found, submit individual portion for group presentation, prepare summary of group findings.
III. List of Committed Participants/Description of Research Agenda(s)
[For C.V.s see below, “VI.”]
Group Members
Ryan Carhart: Contribution to the group discussion on the issue will surround two issues pertaining to my studies, namely aspects of domestic violence in the classical world and the ways in which religion has been complicit in the perpetuation of domestic violence. Regarding domestic violence in the classical world, I will focus on ancient concepts of slavery and the many potential variations of violence that could be perpetrated by the pater familias, expanding this notion of domus (“household”) into the category of slave relations. This expands our understanding of the insidious nature of ancient power relations and dominance, serving also to highlight aspects of our cultural inheritance on this issue. Second, I will examine the role that religion has played in domestic violence across cultures, traditions, and historical lines. Here the potential issues are numerous, but I will focus on the way that religion has multifariously encouraged such behavior and perpetuated it through the silencing of victims.
Rebecca Campana: Discussion topics will include the presence and treatment of Domestic Violence in both classical and dramatic literature from different countries and time periods. I will focus on the question of whether or not the portrayal of Domestic Violence in literature has encouraged victims to cover up the wrongs done to them and taught society to look the other way and ignore Domestic Violence in people’s own homes and neighborhoods.
Ian Fowles: Research interests include pop culture and media studies. I would endeavor to examine the roles that mass media and communications play in contributing to various types of domestic violence.
Rebecca Faubus:
Possible Guest Lecturers
Benjamin J. Hubbard: former chair of the Comparative religion department at CalState Fullerton; Hubbard’s area of expertise is religion and the media, with a focus on terrorism and violence.
IV. Summary of Anticipated Expenses
-Reprographic: $75
-Food: $200
-Honoraria for Guest Speakers - $200
-Field Trip Expenses - $100
V. Explanation of the Transdisciplinary Nature and Contribution of the Project
This proposed class is designed to bring the difficult issues surrounding Domestic Violence into the foreground of academic discourse. Domestic Violence is a problem that involves many individuals in our society, from medical professionals, law enforcement, and lawyers to counselors, psychologists, and other social service agencies. The whole structure of family life in America needs to be examined when looking at Domestic Violence.
Studies of gender and race apply to this topic, along those regarding the subjects of economics and statistics. Through this effort we will be forced to see the reality of domestic violence and recognize the silence that is inherently associated with it. It is our group’s conviction that the historical silence on this issue needs to be recognized and a dialogue must be initiated to discuss how the lack of action against domestic violence has implied our own complicity in its perpetuation.
Through a trans-disciplinary approach, our reading group hopes to more fully see the dimensions of domestic violence in an effort to move towards lessening its prevalence in society.