Course Descriptions and Syllabi
Core Courses | Bridge Courses | Special Topics and Cross-listed Courses
Core Courses
CONF 101 Conflict and Our World (3:3:0). Brief history of the growth of the field, survey of global conflicts, survey of key conflict resolution themes and theories, intervention methods. (General Education course also available to non-majors.)
CONF 300 Conflict Resolution Techniques and Practice (3:3:0). Prerequisite: CONF 101 or permission of instructor. Advanced consideration of CONF 101 topics, introduction of the core notion of reflective practice, conflict resolution techniques practice, third party roles, ethics.
CONF 301 Research and Inquiry in Conflict Studies (3:3:0). Prerequisite: CONF 101 or permission of instructor. Introduction to social science research methods at the undergraduate level. Covers basic epistemology of social research, including quantitative and qualitative methods, with an emphasis on participatory-action research and evaluation/assessment work.
CONF 302 Identity Conflicts and Their Resolution (3:3:0). Prerequisite: CONF 101 or permission of instructor. Covers deeply rooted, intractable, or protracted social conflicts around core issues of identity, including race, ethnicity, religion and nationalism. Students will explore cultural, symbolic, and discursive approaches to identity conflict.
CONF 340 Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (3:3:0). Prerequisite: CONF 101 or permission of instructor. Examines the causes and conditions of violent postmodern conflict within, between and across states worldwide, in order to explore to what extent this knowledge can be used as a basis for more effectively understanding and either preventing, managing, settling, resolving and/or transforming violent, identity-driven conflicts.
CONF 399 - PHILOSOPHY, CONFLICT THEORY AND VIOLENCE
Examines the ways in which world religions play a role in conflict and conflict resolution. Investigates the ways each religion’s values, world view, and hermeneutics can influence strategies for successful conflict interventions.
CONF 490 Integration (3:3:0). Prerequisite: Students must be completing the last semester of their program. A capstone course in which students reflect on what they have learned, integrating knowledge from all their coursework, and synthesizing it to a cogent body of knowledge. Coursework will involve class discussion and a final project that demonstrates understanding of conflict theory and reflective practice.
Bridge Courses
CONF 320 Interpersonal Conflict Analysis and Resolution (3:3:0). Prerequisite: CONF 300 or permission of instructor. Covers conflict at the micro level. Students are introduced to various theories of conflict drawing from various disciplines including psychology, anthropology, and conflict resolution. From readings, case studies and role plays, students will develop the ability to analyze and intervene in interpersonal conflicts. Also prepares students for further coursework if they choose the Interpersonal Conflict Concentration.
CONF 330 Community, Group, and Organizational Conflict Analysis and Resolution (3:3:0). Prerequisite: CONF 300 or permission of instructor. Covers conflict at the mezzo level. Introduces students to theories of social harmony and conflict, drawing on theories from sociology, social psychology, community psychology, organizational psychology, administration of justice, philosophy and conflict resolution. Through case studies, class presentations and group projects, students will develop the ability to analyze a conflict, as well as make recommendations for change. Also prepares students for further coursework if they choose the Community, Group and Organizational Conflict Concentration.
CONF 340 Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (3:3:0).
Section 001 - Dale
Section 002 - Morro
Prerequisite: CONF 300. Covers conflict at the macro level. Introduces students to theories of international and global violence and conflict, drawing from the disciplines of international relations, political science, intercultural communication, and conflict resolution. Covers the impact of globalization and structural causes of conflict. From class discussions, case studies, and a final paper, students will develop analytical skills that will help in the analysis of conflict. Prepares students for further coursework if they choose the Global Conflict Concentration.
Special Topics and Cross-Listed Courses
CONF 385 International Field Experience (3:3:0). Investigation of conflict theory through international field experience including participation in a formally organized course offered by the Center for Global Education or another form of international field experience approved by program director.
CONF 393/PHIL 391 Philosophy, Conflict Theory, and Violence (3:3:0). Why violence? What are the origins, causes, and conditions for long-term violent conflict? Why do some societies succumb to violence as a means for settling conflicts, while violence is rare in other societies? Students in this course will examine alternative proposals from philosophy and conflict theory intended to explain the character and causes of violent conflict. Such proposals include the nature of social identity, the relationship between individual and the state, and the commitment to social/political values of justice and respect for human life.
CONF 399 Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (3:3:0). Examination of selected topics relating to analysis or resolution of conflict. Topics vary but may include historical examination of a conflict, social issues stemming from conflict, ethical issues in intervention, globalization, human rights, sources of conflict, or the relationship of particular identity domains to conflict. May be repeated for up to nine credits if topics vary.
CONF 499 Independent Study (1-3:0:0). Reading and research conducted on an individual basis in consultation with instructor.