GLOBAL NEGOTIATIONS

The course ‘Conflict and Conflict Resolution' [Global Negotiations] is a course of political science. It introduces students of the curriculum "Global Studies" (RIC) to the theory and the conceptual debates on violent conflict and conflict resolution. Based on this theoretical basis, it examines some of the key conflicts of today. It is taught in English.

Students who have attended this course will have learnt the main theories in the field of conflict and conflict resolution and discussed theories such as Social identity Theory, which contribute to our understanding of the origins and the dynamics of violent conflict. They will also have applied these theories to the examination of specific conflict situations, thereby putting into practice their theoretical knowledge.

6 ECTS in History/Political science.

Basic knowledge of key concepts of International Relations is required. Students who have never attended a class in International Relations or Political Science are strongly recommended to read the following brief introduction before the start of the course:

Reus-Smit, Christian (2020), International Relations. A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Part 1: Theories of conflict and conflict resolution
Part 2: Case studies of violent conflict

This seminar aims to introduce Master students to a key thematic area in Political Science and International Relations, i.e. the study of violent conflict. The course consists of two parts with (1) a discussion of key theories of conflict and conflict resolution, and (2) a discussion of case studies involving current and historical conflicts of global relevance. Participants in this course will immerse themselves in the study of the causes and dynamics of violent conflict, the role of different actors and institutions and the prospects and of and the impediments to conflict resolution. The theoretical knowledge gained in part 1 will be put into use to analyse concrete case studies of conflict and conflict resolution. The case studies will be prepared and presented by the students.

Course textbooks:

Demmers, Jolle. 2017. Theories of Violent Conflict. An Introduction. Routledge, London and New York.
Wallensteen, Peter. 2019. Understanding Conflict Resolution. Sage, London.

Introductory Reading:
Kaldor, Mary. 2012. New and Old Wars. Organized Violence in a Global era. Polity Press, Cambridge.

I testi saranno disponibili su Moodle. Per ogni sessione verranno caricati altri testi e per ogni caso di studio verrà fornito un elenco dettagliato della letteratura.
Gli studenti sono tenuti a leggere i rispettivi capitoli e documenti prima di ogni sessione. I testi sono disponibili nel programma dettagliato del corso.

There are two modes of examination. Students can choose to either

a) participate in a working group for a presentation in class or a research report that will count as their final grade, or they can
b) write an extended essay on Moodle at the end of the course that will count as their final grade,

Students who opt for participation in a working group will form a working group with 4-5 co-students in the first week, choose a case study, and prepare collectively a panel-style presentation in class or write an extended research report. They are expected to meet at least three times during the first part of the semester to read the literature together and structure the presentation or research report. The presentation in the second part of the course will be around 45 minutes, allowing for each student to speak for around 5-7 minutes, followed by a questions and answers session. The presentation should be prepared with PowerPoint or comparable presentation programs.

Lectures, obligatory readings before the sessions and presentations and discussions in class. Emphasis will be given to students' involvement and interactive discussions.

English

Students will benefit from this course most if they engage with the course material in early stages of the semester and contribute to the discussions in class.

written and oral