Conflict Resolution Practice (CONF 531)

2020 Fall
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Conf. Analysis Res.(CONF)
3
10
Pınar Akpınar pinar.akpinar@sabanciuniv.edu,
Click here to view.
English
Doctoral, Master
--
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture,Workshop,Seminar,Other
Interactive,Discussion based learning,Project based learning,Task based learning,Simulation
Click here to view.

CONTENT

This course provides both a framework and experience for integrating theory and practice in conflict resolution. Reviews types of practice and theories of intervention and change, discusses the analytic process of conflicts before interventions and assessing the impacts of interventions and the conflict. Students will experience third party options for intervention, in a variety of types of international conflicts including way to build trust among parties for obtaining and implementing agreements.

OBJECTIVE

This course is an introductory skill-building course in conflict analysis, avoidance and resolution. The course emphasizes practical structures and processes as well as skill building and techniques in the arts of conflict resolution. First, students learn to improve their own negotiation skills, allowing them to act consciously and skillfully in tough situations. Afterwards, the focus is on 3rd party intervention methods, emphasizing mediation in its various forms alongside other collaborative decision making processes. Students are expected to bring their improved negotiation skills to bear in assisting others to negotiate and resolve conflicts peacefully.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Upon completing this course students should be able to: a) build necessary practical skills negotiation, mediation and other conflict resolution techniques
  • b) gain practical experience to become successful mediators
  • c) combine the theories of conflict with practical skills
  • d) develop their own conflict resolution practice repertoire
  • e) immediately apply skills developed in their daily lives

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications 2

2. Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas. 5

3. Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach. 4

4. Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject. 4

5. Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas. 3

6. Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study. 2

7. Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently. 4

8. Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals. 1

9. Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving. 5

10. Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. 2

11. Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary. 4

12. Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field. 4

13. Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level. 5

14. Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements. 4

15. Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field. 5

16. Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values. 5


1. Develop the ability to use critical, analytical, and reflective thinking and reasoning 3

2. Reflect on social and ethical responsibilities in his/her professional life. 5

3. Gain experience and confidence in the dissemination of project/research outputs 3

4. Work responsibly and creatively as an individual or as a member or leader of a team and in multidisciplinary environments. 5

5. Communicate effectively by oral, written, graphical and technological means and have competency in English. 4

6. Independently reach and acquire information, and develop appreciation of the need for continuously learning and updating. 5


1. Develop a thorough knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in the field and apply them in research design and data analysis. 3

2. Assess the impact of the economic, social, and political environment from a global, national and regional level. 5

3. Know how to access written and visual, primary and secondary sources of information, interpret concepts and data from a variety of sources in developing disciplinary and interdisciplinary analyses. 4


1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 3


1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 5

2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 5

3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 5

4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 3


1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 5

2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 5

3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 5

4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 3


1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 3

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Assignment 30
Case Study 30
Participation 10
Group Project 20
Homework 10

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Readings

Deutsch and Coleman (2000) The Handbook of Conflict Resolution, Theory and Practice, San Francisco: Jossey Bass Publisher, Chapter I: Introduction

CR Sandole, D. ?A Comprehensive Mapping of Conflict and CR: A Three Pillar Approach,? http://www.gmu.edu/academic/pcs/sandole.htm

Dugan, M. 1996. ?A Nested Theory of Conflict,? Leadership Journal, v.1. pp. 9-19.

Ramsbotham et al, Ch. 1 and 2, Introduction to Conflict Resolution: Concepts and Definitions, and Conflict Resolution: Origins, Foundations and Development of the Field, pp. 3-34 and 35-62.

http://www.fundsforngos.org/proposal-writing-2/proposal-writing-techniques-ngos/

http://www.grants.calpoly.edu/non-government-funding-opportunities-subject

Hopmann, P.T. 1995. ?Two Paradigms of Negotiation: Bargaining and Problem Solving,? Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 542, pp. 24-47.

Ebner N., Bhappu A., Brown J., Kovach K., Schneider A., (2009) ?You?ve got Agreement: Negoti@ting Via Email? Marquette University Law School


Moore, C. (2003) ?The Mediation Process?, 3rd ed., San Fran.: Jossey-Bass 41-58 (How Mediation Works Chapter)
Cohn, Lynn P. (2001). Communication Skills in Mediation. National Association of Realtors. http://www.docstoc.com/docs/34965502/Communication-Skills-in-Mediation
Ury, W., Getting Past No (1991), NY: Bantam Books, 76-104 (Don?t Reject, Reframe Chapter)

UN Mediation Division: http://peacemaker.un.org/mediation-support

Cases Various cases on Conflict Resolution, negotiation and mediation.
Optional Readings

The New York Times Sunday Review. ?How 5 countries could become 14.? 28 September 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/09/29/sunday-review/how-5-countries-could-become-14.html

Youngs, Richard. ?From Transformation to Mediation: The Arab Spring Reframed.? Carnegie Europe, 20 March 2014.

Belkin, Paul, Derek E. Mix and Steven Woehrel. ?NATO: Response to the Crisis in Ukraine and Security Concerns in Central and Eastern Europe.? Congressional Research Service Report, CRS 16 April 2014. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R43478.pdf

Menkel-Meadow C., Love L., P., & Schneider A., K. (2006). Mediation. Practice, Policy and Ethics. New York: Aspen Publishers.