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 are required. Students who have never attended a class in International Relations or Political Science, please consider reading in advance the following brief introduction:

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.

The texts will be available on Moodle. Additional texts will be uploaded for each session and a detailed literature list will be provided for each case study.
Students are expected to read the respective chapter and papers before each session. These can be found in the detailed course syllabus. Students are also expected to prepare a presentation and write a response paper.

All students will write a final exam which will account for 100 per cent of the final grade.

Students are encouraged to participate in a working group that will present a case study or prepare a case study report. Students who accept to participate in a working group will receive up to 5 bonus points, which will count towards 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 a 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 will be prepared with PowerPoint. The presentations and research reports will be uploaded on Moodle for the perusal of all course participants.

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

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Students can write only the written exam, but if they participate in a working group (presentation or research report) they can earn up to 5 bonus points, which will be added to their final grade.

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