A. Learning about START
So that every member of a START group understands the ideas underlying START and how to take part in and manage the course, each participant should read the START study guide at the beginning. Hence this first collection of readings contains only an overview article (the study guide) and no other individual readings.
Study Questions
- How is a standard 24-week START course structured?
- Why is the standard 24-week START course structured this way?
- What other ways might you decide to structure your course?
- Given the nature of your group, which structure would be best for your group?
Overview Article A
47 pages total
“A Guide to Organizing a START Group,” April, 2007, 134 pages (at 250 words/page — 54 written pages).
Carefully read Chapter 1 and Sections 2.A through 2.F (47 pages). Skim Sections 2.G, 2.H, and the rest of the chapters.
http://www.startguide.org/guide/g00.html [access on-line]
http://www.startguide.org/docs/STARTGuide.pdf [or download]
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the START course. Chapters 2 and 3 provide suggestions for structure and process. The rest of the study guide offers background information and other resources.
Additional Resources
Other Study Guides
Engage: Exploring Nonviolent Living, by Pace e Bene, 2006.
http://paceebene.org/engage-book
This course explores nonviolent options for transforming our lives, our communities, and our larger world.
Building a Peace System, by Robert A. Irwin (ExPro Press, 1989).
http://home.vtown.com.au/~jmcnicol/NvT/20/20.14.txt (Review by Brian Martin, 2 p.)
Irwin’s manual offers a carefully chosen set of readings on topics such as arms control, envisaging and designing a future of peace, and developing change strategies.
“Solutions to Violence Class,” by Colman McCarthy, San Antonio Peacecenter.
http://www.salsa.net/peace/conv/index.html
An eight session class using classics in peace and justice literature to teach peacemaking.
Northwest Earth Institute
Offers a series of discussion courses on sustainable living, voluntary simplicity, deep ecology, and global trade.
New Roadmap Foundation
http://www.yourmoneyoryourlife.org/gh-studygroups.asp
Offers an 8-session on-line study group based on the book Your Money or Your Life.