COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to the field of conflict analysis and resolution and is intended to provide a solid foundation for further inquiry and application. This course examines definitions of conflict and diverse views of its resolution and explores thinking about human behavior and social systems as they relate to the origins of conflict and the role of conflict in violent and peaceful social change. It is designed to introduce you to academic thinking about conflict analysis and resolution and to help you to think systematically and analytically about conflict and conflict resolution.

Course Objectives

· Familiarize students with terminology and concepts of the field

· Help students to think systematically and analytically about conflict in a variety of contexts

· Connect theory to practice through discussion, research and case studies of real events and interventions

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance and participation: (10%) Attendance is extremely important because the course will be interactive and elicitive in nature. Participation in the class discussions is critical to student learning and to exhibit that the required reading is being completed. Students will be expected to carry the discussion and engage each other in discussions about the assigned readings. You can also participate by asking questions, circulating emails, organizing study groups, exchanging writing or introducing new ideas and resources.

Mid-term Exam: (30%) The mid-term exam will be a take home essay exam. There will be no tricks in this exam. If students come to class, think for themselves, and do the required reading, they should not fear this exam. This will be discussed further in class.

Group Presentation: (20%) At the beginning of the term the class will be asked to choose from a number of pre-selected conflicts representing a range of analysis from interpersonal to international. At the end of the term each group will be expected to make a presentation providing an overview and synthesized analysis of your group case.

Research Paper: (40%) Each student will be expected to select a single conflict, with instructors’ approval, and write a 5000 to 6000 word (18-20 pages) analytical research paper. The paper should be a case study, emphasizing and utilizing conflict analysis and resolution concepts to both describe the conflict and possible resolution strategies. Conflict 501 is a graduate seminar, which means that the instructors expect your research paper—and all of your work—to reflect graduate level research and analysis. Your research paper should show that you have undertaken research; we expect sources from books, refereed journals, and news sources as well as possible Internet sources. Papers should be double- spaced and legible. Please choose Chicago, MLA or APA citation styles. You will find style guides in the reference section of the library. In addition, the ICAR Publication Style sheet (based on Chicago) will be posted to the class website.

Newspaper Assignment: At the beginning of the semester the instructors and students will select few current conflicts to follow in the news. Students or the groups will be responsible for keeping up with the conflicts through the use of newspaper stories and/or magazine articles. Each week the students/group and the instructors will apply the week’s lessons to these conflicts. No written assignments will be required, but evidence of application of the readings to these conflicts will count towards the student’s participation grade. Suggestions for conflicts could involve:

· Local communal conflicts.

· International Conflicts.

The decision of which conflicts to follow will depend on a) what is current and b) what the interests of the class are. Students will be encouraged to follow as many as possible.

Class Policies & Procedures

· You are responsible for completing individual and group assignments on time. You will be penalized the equivalent of one full letter grade for each day the assignment is late. Assignments that are overdue by more than one week will not be accepted.

· If an emergency prevents you from attending class, you should let us know when possible and contact a group member to find out what you missed. You are responsible for all announcements, assignments, and date changes made in class and for all material covered in class even if you are not there.

· Some class announcements and readings may be sent via email. Students are responsible for keeping up to date with announcements and assignments sent via email.

· Incomplete grades will not be granted save in cases of personal or immediate family illness or emergency.

TEXTS/REQUIRED READING

Augsberger, David. Conflict mediation across cultures: pathways and patterns. Westminster/John Knox, Louisville, KY. 1992.

Kriesberg, Louis. Constructive conflicts: from escalation to resolution. Rowman & Littlefield, Lanham, MD. 1998.

Mitchell, C. The structure of international conflict. Macmillan. London, U.K.2000

Rubin, Pruitt, & Kim. Social conflict: escalation, stalemate, and settlement. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. 2^nd edition. 1994.

Wilmot, W. & Hocker, J. Interpersonal Conflict. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. 2000.

Recommended Text

Ho-Won Jeong. Peace and Conflict Studies: An introduction. Ashgate. Burlington, VT 2000.

TEXTS/GROUP PROJECTS:

There are five recommended texts for use in this class. Each text corresponds to one of the group projects. After you have chosen your group, and corresponding level of conflict analysis, you should acquire the text for that group project. The groups and associated texts are:

Interpersonal Conflict Analysis:

Fleming, Thomas J. Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the future of America. New York, NY: Basic Books, 1999.

Inter-group Conflict Analysis One (Waco)

Reavis, Dick J. The ashes of Waco: an investigation. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995.

Inter-group Conflict Analysis Two (Hopi-Navajo)

Brugge, David M. The Navajo-Hopi land dispute: an American tragedy. 1st ed. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1994.

Intra-State Conflict Analysis (Northern Ireland)

Holland, Jack. Hope against history: the course of conflict in Northern Ireland. 1st ed. New York: Henry Holt, 1999.

Inter-State/International Conflict Analysis (1991 Gulf War)

Friedman, Norman. Desert victory: the war for Kuwait. Updated ed. Annapolis Md.: Naval Institute Press, 1992.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

Note: Reading and assignments listed for a class should be prepared for and completed before that date.

Week 1: August 29

Themes: Welcome, administrative matters. Introduction to the field of conflict analysis and resolution.

Assignment: In class, begin to form small groups for case study

Week 2: September 5

Themes: Basic concepts in conflict analysis and resolution: Definitions, structure of conflict, analytical frameworks, classifying conflicts. Class will meet at library (2^nd floor conference room above circulation) for introduction to library resources.

Assignment: Finalize case study groups

Reading: Kriesberg, Chapter 1

Mitchell, Chapter 1,2, & 3

Wilmot & Hocker chapter 1

Week 3: September 12

Themes: Sources and causes of conflict

Assignment: Submit individual paper topic to instructors

Reading: Augsberger, Chapters 1 & 2

Kriesberg, Chapters 2 & 3

Reserve:

-Burton, John W. “Conflict resolution: The human dimension.”

Week 4: September 19

Themes: Beginning dynamics, analyzing and assessing conflicts

Reading: Augsberger, Chapters 2, 3 & 4.

Mitchell, chapter 6

Rubin, Pruitt, & Kim, Chapters 1 & 2.

Week 5: September 26

Themes: Tactics and strategies, parties and interveners

Reading: Rubin, Pruitt, & Kim, Chapters 3 & 4

Kriesberg, Chapters 4 & 5

Reserve: Berkovitch and Wells. 1993. Evaluating mediation strategies: a theoretical and empirical analysis.

Week 6: October 3

Themes: Escalation

Assignment: 1. Video: “The Bombing of Philadelphia

Reading: Kriesberg, Chapter 6

Rubin, Pruitt & Kim, Chapters 5, 6 & 7

Week 7: October 10 (No Class, Columbus day)

Assignment: Take Home Mid-Term Exam. E-mailed on this day.

Reading: No Reading

Week 8: October 17

Themes: De-Escalation

Reading: Mitchell, chapter 8

Rubin, Pruitt & Kim, Chapters 8 & 9

Week 9: October 24

Themes: Intervention

Reading: Kriesberg, Chapters 7 & 8

Augsberger, Chapter 5

Reserve: Laue, et al. 1988. Getting to the table: three paths.

Week 10: October 31

Themes: Managing and resolving conflicts, critical issues in the field

Reading: Mitchell, chapter 11

Augsberger, Chapters 7 & 8

Rubin, Pruitt & Kim, Chapters 10 and 11

Week 11: November 7

Themes: Critical issues in the field continued: culture, gender, power, justice, and violence. [Guest Speaker]

Reading: Augsberger, Chapter 6

Wilmot & Hocker chapter 4

Reserve: Avruch, K. and P. Black, “Conflict resolution in intercultural settings: problems and prospects.”

Week 12: November 14

Themes: Negotiations

Assignment: Submit first draft of individual papers for peer review

Reading: Kriesberg, Chapter 9

Mitchell, chapter 10

Wilmot & Hocker chapter 7

Reserve: Druckman, “Negotiating in the International Context”

Week 13: November 21

Themes: Outcomes, range of processes

Reading: Kriesberg, Chapters 10 & 11

Augsberger, Chapter 9

Week 14: November 28

Themes: Group presentations and discussion

Week 15: December 5 LAST CLASS

Themes: Group presentations and discussion, wrap up

Week 16: December 12 NO CLASS

Assignment: Individual papers due at ICAR by 5pm

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