War Abolition 101 is a six-week online course in Canvas developed by World BEYOND War and refined during multiple iterations over the years with six expert instructors each facilitating one week.
The course is available to universities, schools, teachers, and organizations that want to use it. Contact World BEYOND War if interested.
Read what past students have to say about the course.
Other courses, including War Abolition 201, are here.
About War Abolition 101: How We Create a Peaceful World
How can we make the best argument for shifting from war to peace? What must we understand and know about the war system if we are to dismantle it? How can we become more effective advocates and activists for ending particular wars, ending all wars, pursuing disarmament, and creating systems that maintain peace? These questions and more will be explored in War Abolition 101: How We Create a Peaceful World.
War Abolition 101 is a six week-online course providing participants an opportunity to learn from, dialogue with, and strategize for change with experts, peer activists, and changemakers from around the world.
Each week of the online course will feature a guest facilitator who will help you to explore weekly topics supported by an online chat room where you are encouraged to dialogue with peers and facilitators. The interactions are not live or scheduled. You take part whenever works for you.
This course is 100% online and interactions are not live or scheduled, so you can take part whenever works for you.
This is worth repeating: Interactions are not live or scheduled, so you can take part whenever works for you.
Weekly content includes a mix of text, images, video, and audio. Instructors and students utilize online discussion forums to go over each week’s content, as well as to provide feedback on optional assignment submissions.
The course also includes three 1-hour optional zoom calls which are designed to facilitate a more interactive and real-time learning experience.
Course Outline
- Week 1: War Can Be Ended
- Week 2: War is Immoral/War Erodes Liberties
- Week 3: War Impoverishes Us
- Week 4: War Threatens Our Environment/War Endangers
- Week 5: There are Alternatives to War/What is an Alternative Global Security System?
- Week 6: War Will Not Go Away Unless We Make It
Time Commitment / Expectations
How much time you spend and how deeply you engage is up to you. At a minimum, you can expect to spend between 1-2 hours a week if you only review the weekly content (text and videos). We hope, however, you’ll want to engage in the online dialogue with peers and experts. This is where the real richness of the learning occurs, where we have the opportunity to explore new ideas, strategies, and visions for building a more peaceful world. Depending on your level of engagement with the online discussion you can expect to add another 1-3 hours a week. Finally, all participants are encouraged to complete optional assignments (required to earn a certificate). This is an opportunity to deepen and apply the ideas explored each week to practical possibilities. Expect another 2 hours a week if you pursue these options.
Accessing the Course
Prior to the start date, you will be sent instructions for how to access the course.
Earn a Certificate
To earn a certificate, participants must also complete optional weekly written assignments. Instructors will return the assignment to the student with detailed feedback. Submissions and feedback can be shared with everyone taking the course or kept private between a student and the instructor, at the student’s choice. Submissions must be completed by the conclusion of the course.