CRES-155 Introduction to Conflict Resolution: Science and Art

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to both different perspectives on conflict and different strategies for resolving conflict. Conflict will be explored in different contexts, including intergroup conflict, cross-cultural conflict, and international conflict, with an emphasis on interpersonal conflict. Most importantly, students will be asked to reflect on their own style of conflict resolution and the pertinence of the material covered to conflict resolution in their own lives. Course content will include experiential learning and role play.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Define conflict from different perspectives.
2. 2. Characterize two major approaches to conflict resolution: competition and collaboration.
3. 3. Discuss the connection between conflict and justice.
4. 4. Explain the relevance of motivation theory to conflict resolution.
5. 5. Describe the spectrum of intervention choices (with an emphasis on negotiation,
   mediation and consensus building).
6. 6. At an introductory level, name and apply basic steps in interest-based problem solving.
7. 7. Explain the contributions of narrative approaches to problem solving.
8. 8. Explain the role of communication in conflict resolution.
9. 9. Explain and demonstrate the role of language, metaphor and reframing in conflict
   resolution.
10. 10. Discuss the connection between culture and conflict resolution.
11. 11. Discuss the impact of power in conflict resolution.
12. 12. Demonstrate techniques in handling emotions in conflict resolution.
13. 13. Articulate, at an introductory level, an ethical framework for conflict resolution.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Define conflict from different perspectives.
2. 2. Characterize two major approaches to conflict resolution: competition and collaboration.
3. 3. Discuss the connection between conflict and justice.
4. 4. Explain the relevance of motivation theory to conflict resolution.
5. 5. Describe the spectrum of intervention choices (with an emphasis on negotiation,
   mediation and consensus building).
6. 6. At an introductory level, name and apply basic steps in interest-based problem solving.
7. 7. Explain the contributions of narrative approaches to problem solving.
8. 8. Explain the role of communication in conflict resolution.
9. 9. Explain and demonstrate the role of language, metaphor and reframing in conflict
   resolution.
10. 10. Discuss the connection between culture and conflict resolution.
11. 11. Discuss the impact of power in conflict resolution.
12. 12. Demonstrate techniques in handling emotions in conflict resolution.
13. 13. Articulate, at an introductory level, an ethical framework for conflict resolution.