CONF 210-002: Theories of Conflict Analysis and Conflict Resolution (original) (raw)

Welcome to Theories of Conflict Analysis and Conflict Resolution. The aim of our work for this semester is to provide you with an overview of the theoretical foundations relevant for understanding contemporary forms of violence and social conflict, as well as the potential for nonviolent conflict resolution. Conflict resolution as a field of knowledge and practice is assembled from a range of disciplines and subfields. As a result, students must learn to navigate this interdisciplinary terrain which pulls its theoretical insights from a number of intersecting areas of study, including history, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, and sociology. CONF 210 builds from material encountered in CONF 101 and is intended to strengthen your comprehension of the relationship between conflict resolution theory, practice, and research. The course is designed to develop and bolster your analytical skills not only as an observer of other people's actions, but also as a critical observer of your own thought process. The course is divided into two parts. During the first half of the semester we will read what I consider core texts for apprehending the foundations of conflict theory and more generally, our modern predicament. History reveals that the world has not always been this way, and therefore, a different future is possible. In a period of continual wars and threats of violence it is important to consider how we arrived at the present moment. The texts we will cover in the first part of the term are intended to push you outside of your comfort zone and challenge you to consider the complexities of violence as a social phenomenon; or to put it more directly, we will read material that reflects the seriousness of the times. The second half of the course deals with the transition from a more general analysis of our condition to the specific, in this case how we use (and at times abuse) of theory within the field of conflict analysis and resolution. We will explore key theories relevant to the field including basic human needs, social identity, culture, and power, as well as connect theory to the practices of negotiation, mediation, and problem-solving workshops. Questions that will guide us over the term: 1. Why is theory important and how do I use theory to analyze social situations? 2. How is reading theory different than scrolling through my twitter feed? 3. How do I evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a particular theory? 4. How do I talk about theory to other humans and have them understand me?