Office: SIS Annex 2                             Office: SIS Annex 2

Phone: 202 885-1656                          Phone: 202 885-1656

Office Hours:Office Hours: 10:00-11:30

Monday 2:30 - 4:00 PM

Wednesday 4:00 - 6:00 PM

Course Objectives and Description:

Conflicts are inevitable. They are a normal and an integral part of humans lives.  Conflicts can occur on several levels: a. international and national; b. Community and organization; c. interpersonal (states and ethnic groups, neighborhoods, workers, family, friends, etc.).  Depending on our style in addressing conflicts, the outcome can be destructive or constructive.

Although conflict resolution is still an emerging field of study, its has a wide varieties of practice. The purpose of this course is to critically present this wide range of methods. Thus, by the end of the course students should be: (1) familiar advantages and limitations of the various techniques of conflict resolution; and (2) able to apply conflict resolution methods on actual or real life cases.

Conflict resolution strategies can be divided into three types of application: (1) skills and processes for intervention in an actual conflict situation (crisis or an on going conflict); (2) skills to conduct conflict resolution training (the audience can be a groups of: diplomats, community organizers, educators, etc); (3) consultation which is often proceed a request for intervention or training, nevertheless, it still has its own dynamics and features.  In this course students are expected to experience and learn skills which are applied in those three areas of intervention.

Thus, students will start by learning general analytical frameworks of conflict resolution. In addition, students will acquire a set of skills which will assist them in understanding and evaluating conflicts in their surrounding. In addition, the skills will be effective in dealing with some of the daily social interactions. Those skills are derived from communication, negotiation, mediation, and problem solving processes.  Since the best way to learn conflict resolution is by "doing it," therefore, students are expected to apply the course material on both interpersonal and professional levels of interactions.

Required Readings

1. Fisher, Roger, Getting To Yes: Negotiating Agreement, New York: Penguin Books, 1991

2. Lewicki Roy and Saunders. Essentials of Negotiation, Chicago: Irwin, 1997.

3. J. Paul lederach, Preparing for Peace: Conflict Transformation, New York: Syracuse Press, 1995.

4. Moore, Christopher, Mediation Process, San Francisco, CA:  Jossey-Bass, 1996.

5. A Course Pack Reader, Applied Conflict Resolution, AU Library, Spring 1998

Recommended Texts:

1. Kressel, K. And Dean Pruitt, Mediation Research, San Francisco, CA.: Jossey-Bass, 1989

2. Diamond louise and J. McDonald, MultiTrack Diplomacy, New York: Kumarian Press, 1996.

Course Requirements:

1. Class participation 15%

2. A report on conflict resolution organization20%

3. Case analysis15%

4. Designing and constructing a role play or simulation of a case study20%

5. Final project 30%

1. Class participation: You are expected to be fully prepared for each class.  Knowledge of the readings is an important part of the course, however, the attempt to apply such material on actual cases in our environment is equally important. Therefore, in the grading process special emphasis will be placed on the practice of skills. In regard to class attendance, it is very unlikely that anyone missing more than three class periods, for whatever reason, will receive higher than "C" for class participation. It is the responsibility of any student who misses three classes during the semester to confer with the instructor to see whether he or she should continue the course.

2. The Field of Applied Conflict Resolution: Since this course is focused on the methods and strategies of conflict resolution, it is necessary to know the specific application of conflict resolution. Each student is expected to identify two organizations (in the District or outside) and write a report on the organization and specific projects which these organization have in the field of conflict resolution. The 8-10 pages paper should have two sections: (1) the factual report on the organizations' activities and the specific projects (based on interviews conducted with members of the organization), (2) analysis and discussion of the philosophy and models of intervention which these organization utilize in their projects and how do these principles connect to the class readings.  Students should sign the names of the organizations which they will be covering by February 15. The report is due on April 6, 1998.

3. Case Analysis: select a current case of national or international conflict. Conduct a systematic analysis of the case. Integrate the readings. The paper is due in class on March 2, 1998.

4.  Designing a Conflict Resolution Training Session: In groups of 4 members, students are expected to select one skill or concept and design a training session, in which they will teach the class the importance of such skill. Further instructions will be distributed in class prior to the due date.  In addition, each group has to provide a summary of 6-8 pages in which they describe the roles/actors, and their method of application. The project is due in class on April 20, 1998.

5. Final project: Identify an intergroup (international, community, or interethnic) conflict in which you have access to the parties or their representatives in the areas. Conduct interviews with members of all the parties involved (not necessarily official representatives).  Write an analytical paper (16-18 double spaced pages) in which you present an analysis of the conflict as perceived by the parties, and your own intervention design for this conflict. The readings and class discussion should be integrated through out the paper. The paper is due in class on May 4, 1998.

No extension will be granted, and papers that will be turned late will lose ½ of a grade for each day.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Syllabus, Names, Objectives, and Readings.

What is conflict resolution?

What does applied conflict resolution mean?

Required Readings:

1. Scimecca, J., "Conflict Resolution in the United States: The Emergence of a Profession?" In: K. Avruch, P. Black, and J. Scimecca, Conflict Resolution in Crossecultural Perspectives. Westport, CT.: Greenwood Press, 1991, 19-36. (Reader)

February 2 Theoretical Frameworks: Definitions and Concepts

What is learning?

Conflict resolution an emerging field.

The language and terminology of conflict resolution?

What is conflict?

Types and origins, and culture understanding of conflict and transformation.

Required Readings:

1. D. Sandole, "Paradigms, Theories, and Metaphors in Conflict Resolution: Coherence or Confusion?" In: Sandole Dennis and Hugo Van Der Merwe, (eds.), Conflict Resolution : Theory and Practice, 3-24. (Reader)

2. Moore, Mediation Process Chapter 1.

Recommended Readings:

1. Dean Pruitt and Jeffrey Rubin. Social Conflicts, New York: Random House, 1986. Chapter 1-3  (1-40) (Reserve)

2. Burton, J., Conflict and Human Needs Theory, 1990 (Reserve)

February 9 Conflict Dynamics: Responses And Approaches to Resolving Conflict

1. Lewicki, Essentials of Negotiation, Chapter 1. (1-22)

2. Susan Karpenter and Kennedy, Understanding Public Disputes. In: Managing Public Disputes, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1988

3. William Potapchuk and Chris Carlson (Reader), Using Conflict Analysis to Determine Intervention Techniques. (Reader)

4. Moore, C. "Approaches to Managing and Resolving Conflict," 1996. (The Case of Singson-Whittamore). Chapter 1 and 2.

Recommended readings

1. Dean Pruitt and Ruben, Social Conflicts, Strategies (Chapter 2). (Reserve)

CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESSES

1. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapter 6;

2. Benjamin Broom, "Managing differences in conflict resolution: the role of relational empathy." Conflict resolution Theory and Practice, Eds. Sandole and Van Der Merwe, 1994. (Reader)

February 23 Introduction to Negotiation: Prenegotiation

1. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapter 4;

2. Jay Rothman: "Negotiation as consolidation: prenegotiation in the Israeli-Palestinian confect." The Jerusalem Journal of International Relations, Vol. 13. No. 1, 1991. (Reader)

3. Gross-Stein, J., (ed): Getting to the Table: the Process of International Prenegotiation.

Baltimore,: John Hopkins press, 1989. (Reader)

March 2 Negotiation Strategies and process: Principles of Negotiation

1. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapter 2; chapter 3.

2. Fisher and Ury, Chapters 1 and 2 (1-40)

3. Fisher and Ury, Chapters 3, 4 and 5 (41-97)

March 9 Special Issues in Negotiation

1. Fisher and Ury, Chapters 6, 7, 8

2. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapter 9

3. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapters 7 and 8

4. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapter 5: Dealing with negotiation breakdown

5. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapter 14: Ethics of Negotiation

SPRING BREAK

1. Lewicki, et.al, Essentials of Negotiation. chapter 10

2. Moore, Mediation Process, Chapters 2 through 7

3. Roehl and Cook, R., " Mediation in interpersonal Disputes: Effectiveness and Limitations." In: Mediation Research (eds.), Kressel and Pruitt, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1989

4. J. Laue and J. Cormick, "The Ethics of Intervention in Community Disputes." In the Ethics of Social intervention. Eds. Gordon Bermant, H. Kelman, and D. Warwick, Washington DC: Halsted Press, 1978, 205-232.(Reader)

Recommended Readings:

1. Jacob Bercovitch, "Third Party Intervention : Interpersonal Conflicts." In: Social Conflicts and Strategies of Third Party Intervention. Boulder:  Westview Press, 1984.

March 30 Mediation Process

1. Moore, Mediation Process, Chapters 8 through 14

2. Saadia Touval and William Zartman, "Mediation in International Conflicts." In: Mediation Research (eds.), Kressel and Pruitt, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1989

April 6 Mediation: Special Issues:

1. Moore, Mediation Process, Chapter 15 and conclusions

2. Sally Engle Merry, "Mediation in Nonindustrial Societies." In: Mediation Research (eds.), Kressel and Pruitt, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1989.

3. Kressel and Pruitt, "Conclusion: a Research Perspective on the Mediation of Social Conflict." In: Mediation Research (eds.), Kressel and Pruitt, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1989

Recommended Readings:

3. Jacob Bercovitch, International Dispute Mediation : A Comparative Empirical Research." In: Mediation Research (eds.), Kressel and Pruitt, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1989

April 13 Problem Solving Workshops

1. H. Kelman Interactive Problem Solving: A Social Psychological Approach to Conflict Resolution." In: Burton and Dukes, Conflict: Readings in Management and Resolution, 1990 . (Reader)

2. C. Mitchell, "Problem Solving Exercises and Theories of Conflict Resolution." In: Conflict Resolution Theory and Practice, (eds.) Sandole and Van Der Merwe, 1994. (Reader)

Recommended Readings:

1. C. Mitchell and M. Banks, Handbook of Conflict Resolution: The Analytical Problem Solving Approach, New York: Pinter, 1996.

April 20 Conflict Resolution Training

1. J. Paul Lederach,  Preparing for Peace :

Part One: The Training Project in Perspective

Part Two: Rethinking Approaches to Training

2. Abu-Nimer, "Conflict Resolution Training." In: International journal of Negotiation, special Issue on International Training  (Forthcoming, 1998) (Reader)

April 27 Conflict Resolution: Development and Critique

1. Scimecca, J., "Conflict Resolution: the Base For Social Control or Social Change " (Reader)

2. Avruch, K., "Culture and Conflict Resolution." In; Conflict resolution: A Cross-Cultural perspectives (eds.) Avruch, Black, and Scimecca, Greenwood Press: Westport CT, 1991.

May 4 Areas of Applied Conflict Resolution Intervention

Public policy and Community Conflicts

Environmental and Labor Management

Conflict Resolution and Schools

Conflict Resolution in Ethnic and International Conflicts

Required Readings:

1. Pompa, The Community Relations Service," In: Sandoli and Sandoli, 1987. (Reader)

2. David Johnson and Others: Mediation in Inner City Schools In: Sandoli and Sandoli, 1987. (Reader)

Review and Conclusion

Presentation

Evaluation

2. D. Sandole, "Paradigms, Theories, and Metaphors in Conflict Resolution: Coherence or Confusion?" In: Sandole Dennis and Hugo Van Der Merwe, (eds.), Conflict Resolution : Theory and Practice, 3-24. (Reader)

3 . Susan Karpenter and Kennedy, Understanding Public Disputes. In: Managing Public Disputes, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1988

4. William Potapchuk and Chris Carlson (Reader), Using Conflict Analysis to Determine

Intervention Techniques. (Reader)

5. Benjamin Broom, "Managing differences in conflict resolution: the role of relational empathy." Conflict resolution Theory and Practice, Eds. Sandole and Van Der Merwe, 1994. (Reader)

6. Jay Rothman: "Negotiation as consolidation: prenegotiation in the Israeli-Palestinian confect." The Jerusalem Journal of International Relations, Vol. 13. No. 1, 1991. (Reader)

7. Gross-Stein, J., (ed): Getting to the Table: the Process of International Prenegotiation.

Baltimore,: John Hopkins press, 1989. (Reader)

8. J. Laue and J. Cormick, "The Ethics of Intervention in Community Disputes." In the Ethics of Social intervention. Eds. Gordon Bermant, H. Kelman, and D. Warwick, Washington DC: Halsted Press, 1978, 205-232.(Reader)

9. Jacob Bercovitch, "Third Parties in Conflict Management: The Structure and Conditions of Effective Mediation in International Relations." International Journal XL autumn, 1985.

10. H. Kelman Interactive Problem Solving: A Social Psychological Approach to Conflict Resolution." In: Burton and Dukes, Conflict: Readings in Management and Resolution, 1990 . (Reader)

11. C. Mitchell, "Problem Solving Exercises and Theories of Conflict Resolution." In: Conflict Resolution Theory and Practice, (eds.) Sandole and Van Der Merwe, 1994. (Reader)

12. Abu-Nimer, "Conflict Resolution Training." In: International journal of Negotiation, special Issue on International Training  (Forthcoming, 1998) (Reader)

13. Scimecca, J., "Conflict Resolution: the Base For Social Control or Social Change " (Reader)

14. Avruch, K. Introduction: Culture and Conflict Resolution (Reader)

15. Carpenter and Kennedy, "Developing an Effective Program of Conflict Management"(Reader)

16. Pompa, The Community Relations Service," 1987 (Reader)

17. Deborah Kolb: Labor Mediators (Reader)

18. David Johnson and Others: Mediation in Inner City Schools (Reader)

Reader's List of Recommended Readings (33.519, Spring 1998)

1. Dean Pruitt and Jeffrey Rubin. Social Conflicts, New York: Random House, 1986. Chapter 1-3  (1-40) (Reserve)

2. C. Mitchell, "The Structure," and "The Process" In: Structure of International Conflicts. St. London: St. Martin's 1981. (Reader)

3. Dean Pruitt and Ruben, Social Conflicts, Strategies (Chapter 2). (Reserve)

4. Jacob Bercovitch, "Third Party Intervention : Interpersonal Conflicts." In: Social Conflicts and Strategies of Third Party Intervention. Boulder:  Westview Press, 1984.