{"id":3356,"date":"2026-08-17T11:28:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T16:28:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/?page_id=3356"},"modified":"2026-08-20T10:33:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:33:08","slug":"the-body-and-somatics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/collections\/ken-fox\/the-body-and-somatics\/","title":{"rendered":"The Body and Somatics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-background\" style=\"background-color:#616265\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignfull is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-stretch is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-bottom\" style=\"grid-template-columns:16% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a class=\"\" href=\"\/dri-skills-lab\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"861\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2024\/01\/DRI-Skills-Lab-Logo-2C-rgb-REV_V-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1619 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2024\/01\/DRI-Skills-Lab-Logo-2C-rgb-REV_V-5.png 861w, https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2024\/01\/DRI-Skills-Lab-Logo-2C-rgb-REV_V-5-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2024\/01\/DRI-Skills-Lab-Logo-2C-rgb-REV_V-5-768x402.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 861px) 100vw, 861px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<header class=\"wp-block-group alignfull\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><nav style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700;background-color: #616265\" class=\"has-text-color has-white-color has-background has-small-font-size is-responsive items-justified-left alignfull cmenu1 wp-block-navigation is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-9cdb7320 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Main\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container has-text-color has-white-color has-background\" style=\"background-color: #939495\" id=\"modal-1\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-1-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700;background-color: #616265\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__container has-text-color has-white-color has-background has-small-font-size is-responsive items-justified-left alignfull cmenu1 wp-block-navigation\"><li style=\"text-transform:uppercase\" class=\"has-text-color has-white-color has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item menu_link wp-block-home-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-home-link__content wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\" rel=\"home\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item activelink wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/resources\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">RESOURCES<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/dri-press\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">DRI PRESS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-small-font-size has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/collections\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">COLLECTIONS<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"COLLECTIONS submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#939495\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container has-text-color has-white-color has-background wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/collections\/marjorie-aaron\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Marjorie Corman Aaron<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/collections\/jim-coben\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Jim Coben<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/collections\/jim-hilbert\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Jim Hilbert<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/nextgen\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">NEXTGEN<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"text-transform:uppercase\" class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/forums\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Forums<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div><\/header>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:2rem;margin-bottom:2rem\">The Body and Somatics<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the first of the six broad perspectives to be covered in the class. Before turning specifically to the body and Somatics, take time to review with the class the ideas introduced in the introduction to Part II (pages 56-61) or equivalent introductory discussion. This introduction sets up a discussion of what it means to examine different perspectives and describes common questions to ask when completing each reading. Note that the introduction also relates directly to the Reading Worksheet handout that is found in the folder for general course documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is useful to remind students that the purpose for studying each perspective is <strong>not<\/strong> to become an expert on all the conceivable theories that arise within each perspective. Nor it it a way to begin setting up a competition among perspectives to pick the one best, or only, way to understand conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, the purpose is to look at the sample theories as a way to better understand a particular standpoint toward conflict work and to build a more complex framework with which to use multiple perspectives. For example, from this first perspective, you can ask \u201cif you were a trained biologist\/physiologist\/geneticist, how would you approach your own investigation into a conflict?\u201d You can even use metaphorical references. For example, you can invite your class to put on a lab coat (metaphorically speaking) and imagine themselves as clinicians who are investigating a conflict situation. For subsequent perspectives, you can invite them to adopt some other way to \u201cwear\u201d a perspective (such as a crushed velvet smoking jacket when studying psychodynamic theories, etc.). Have fun<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a particular reason why the course begins with a focus on the body (or, more broadly, the physical organism in relation to its physical environment). Most people do not immediately think of the physical organism as a source of insight into conflict. Thus, it can take them a bit by surprise. This is good. It de-centers whatever assumptions they may have coming into the class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As described in the primary reading from chapter 4, this particular perspective raises a variety of issues for students that can allow you to frame up the topic and clarify how we often confuse perspective. Examples include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li style=\"font-size:15px\">Some people have deeply held beliefs about the connection between the physical organism and human behavior. Some beliefs could be based on religious teachings. The first part of chapter 4 calls this out explicitly. It is important to acknowledge and contextualize this for the students.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:15px\">Research on the physical organism, while using increasingly better technology (such as MRI and other imaging techniques), is for some, still suspect and thus easily dismissed. I recommend not allowing this to be a reason not to engage with the perspective. You can simply say something like \u201cto the extent that the science is valid, \u2026.\u201d And then continue with the discussion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:15px\">Some may use arguments from outside this perspective to argue how problematic this perspective is. For example, you might discuss chemical castration as a response to sexual predatory behavior. In addition to arguing the research is equivocal, some may argue for or against the practice from a social justice perspective. While social justice arguments may be valid, they are outside the scope of examination of&nbsp; the science behind its practice. This is an opportunity to help students clarify from what <strong><em>perspective <\/em><\/strong>they are advancing their analysis.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"font-size:15px\">Some students over-generalize what is meant by the \u2018body.\u201d For example. Some students might make an argument about race or ethnicity as \u201cbiological\u201d bases for conflict. This is a good opportunity to distinguish biology from other perspectives. For example, skin pigment and physical features have biological elements but are not relevant biological sources of conflict behavior. Race and ethnicity are social constructions, which might be interesting to discuss when examining the Co-creation of meaning later in the course.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Readings and supplemental resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-normal-font-size wp-elements-02f2910c281b102d11d11a7802f5046c\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Primary readings:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Perspectives on Conflict, Introduction to Part II (Pp. 56-61) <\/em><em><br><\/em><em>Perspectives on Conflict, chapter 4 \u2013 The Body<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-normal-font-size wp-elements-ed17c720c62d6d0b8df3356f1ce5023f\" style=\"color:#000000\"><strong>Supplemental resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Richard Birke, <em>Neuroscience and Settlement: An examination of Scientific Innovations and&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Practical Applications<\/em>, 25 Ohio St. J. on Disp. Resol. 477 2010<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fox \u2013 <em>Chemical Castration as Judicial Option<\/em> \u2013 Handout for discussion (contained in content folder)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steven R. Quartz and Terrence J. Sejnowski, <em>Our Brains, Ourselves. <\/em>in Liars, Lovers and Heroes: What the New Brain Science Reveals About How We Become Who We Are (Morrow, 2002)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Robert M. Sapolsky. <em>Double-edged Swords in the Biology of Conflict<\/em> (2018), 9 Frontiers in Psychology: article 2629<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1_-2wOnkc_k&amp;t=5s\">TEDTalk: \u201cDrugs and Morals\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Classroom Handouts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2026\/08\/Fox-Chemical-Castration-as-Judicial-Option-a.pdf\">Chemical Castration as Judicial Option (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Classroom Activities, Discussion Prompts, and Assignments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2026\/08\/Discussion-Prompt-The-Body-and-Somatics-a.pdf\">Discussion Prompt &#8211; The Body and Somatics (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2026\/08\/Instructor-tips-for-discussion-on-the-Body-a.pdf\">Instructor Tips for Discussion on the Body (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1003\/2026\/08\/Supplemental-Reading-The-Body-and-Somatics-Human-thermometer-a.pdf\">Class Activity \u2013 The Human Thermometer (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Body and Somatics Overview This is the first of the six broad perspectives to be covered in the class. Before turning specifically to the body and Somatics, take time to review with the class the ideas introduced in the introduction to Part II (pages 56-61) or equivalent introductory discussion. This introduction sets up a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":3321,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/landing.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":true,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3356","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3356"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3469,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3356\/revisions\/3469"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mitchellhamline.edu\/dri-skills-lab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}