GV906-7-FY-CO:
Conflict Resolution

The details
2019/20
Government
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2019
Friday 26 June 2020
30
13 August 2019

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
GV900 or GV903
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MA L25212 Conflict Resolution,
MA L252EB Conflict Resolution,
MA L252EK Conflict Resolution,
MSC L25212 Conflict Resolution,
MSC L252EB Conflict Resolution,
MSC L252EK Conflict Resolution

Module description

The module exposes students to different political theories and approaches within the field of conflict resolution. It provides an overview and a basic framework for studying the evolving field of conflict resolution. The focus is on conflict resolution in inter- and intra-state issues.

The students have the opportunity to explore conflict resolution methods such as mediation, negotiation, arbitration, collaborative problem solving, peacekeeping operations, and other applications. The module especially focuses on the practical as well as on the theoretical aspects of negotiation and mediation.

The students also have the opportunity to explore the applicability of various tools and techniques in problem-solving real cases of international conflict and to make use of negotiation and mediation techniques in role playing exercises and other types of simulations.

Module aims

Aims
The main aim of this module is to teach students to think and write critically about conflict analysis and resolution using theories and methods of political science. Students will develop the ability to think and make reasoned arguments using positive theories and supported by the best available empirical evidence. These aims and objectives are achieved through a variety of teaching and learning strategies such as lectures, in-depth seminar sessions, simulations, reflective essays and independently produced assignments.

Objectives

The objectives of the module are:

1. Introduce students to key concept and models in conflict research
2. Introduce students to different theories about the causes of interstate and civil conflict.
3. Introduce students to bargaining models and negotiation theory
4. Introduce students to different theories about conflict resolution, such as mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding
5. Introduce students to critical and gender-based perspectives on conflict resolution.

Module learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

1. Understand key concepts in conflict studies

2. Explore the systemic reasons that determine the choice of individuals and/or groups with respect to violence and non-violence.

3. Critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different conflict resolution approaches.

4. Evaluate the different methods of conflict resolution using case studies.

5. Experience the practice of negotiation and mediation through a series of practical exercises conducted throughout the module.

6. Relate the theory and the practice of the problems involved in the attempted resolution and/or management of international conflicts and intrastate conflicts


Key Skills
.
The module also enables students to acquire the following generic and transferable skills:

1. Library and Internet research

2. Data collection, presentation and analysis

3. Exposition and argumentation in a structured fashion

4. Working independently and as part of a group

5. Presenting verbal arguments to classroom peers

6. Production of short well-researched essays and reports

7. Working to deadlines

8. Conducting oneself in a scholarly and professional manner

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This is a 22-week module (including individual Masters advising in last teaching week) with each week's teaching taking place for 2 hours using either the format of lecture/seminar or a workshop for all students. Teaching will be in weeks 2 – 25 and week 30. There is a revision session and MA student supervision in week 31. Eight lectures will be delivered on-line, and all students should watch the videos and complete the quizzes before attending the seminars in these weeks. GV906 is a full-year module and serves PGT students. It is preferred that students have some background knowledge in the social sciences; in particular, international relations and comparative politics. PGT students need to have as co-requisite either GV900 - Political Explanations or GV903.

Bibliography

  • Dorussen, H.; Gizelis, T.-I. (2013) 'Into the lion's den: Local responses to UN peacekeeping', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 50 (6) , pp.691-706
  • Beardsley, Kyle C.; David, Q.; Bidisha, B.; Wilkenfield, J. (2006) 'Mediation Style and Crisis Outcomes', in The Journal of Conflict Resolution. vol. 50 (1) , pp.58-86
  • Glasius, Marlies. (2009) 'What Is Global Justice and Who Decides? Civil Society and Victim Responses to the International Criminal Court's First Investigations', in Human Rights Quarterly. vol. 31 (2) , pp.496-520
  • Stein, J. (2013) 'Psychological explanations of international conflict', in Handbook of international relations, London: SAGE., pp.195-219
  • Dorussen, Han; Ward, Hugh. (2010) 'Trade networks and the Kantian peace', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 47 (1) , pp.29-42
  • Gizelis, Theodora-Ismene. (2009) 'Gender Empowerment and United Nations Peacebuilding', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 46 (4) , pp.505-523
  • Walter, Barbara F. (1997) 'The Critical Barrier to Civil War Settlement', in International Organization. vol. 51 (3) , pp.335-364
  • Cunningham, Kathleen Gallagher. (2013-07) 'Actor Fragmentation and Civil War Bargaining: How Internal Divisions Generate Civil Conflict', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 57 (3) , pp.659-672
  • Princen, Thomas. (2014) Intermediaries in international conflict, Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  • Lake, David A.; Rothchild, Donald. (1996) 'Containing Fear: The Origins and Management of Ethnic Conflict', in International Security. vol. 21 (2) , pp.41-75
  • Watson, Carol. (1994-04) 'Gender versus Power as a Predictor of Negotiation Behavior and Outcomes', in Negotiation Journal. vol. 10 (2) , pp.117-127
  • Mitchell, C. R. (2014) The nature of intractable conflict: resolution in the twenty-first century, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Curran, Daniel; Sebenius, James K.; Watkins, Michael. (2004-10) 'Two Paths to Peace: Contrasting George Mitchell in Northern Ireland with Richard Holbrooke in Bosnia-Herzegovina', in Negotiation Journal. vol. 20 (4) , pp.513-537
  • Fearon, James D. (1995) 'Rationalist Explanations for War', in International Organization. vol. 49 (3) , pp.379-414
  • Melin, Molly M. (2011-09) 'The Impact of State Relationships on If, When, and How Conflict Management Occurs1', in International Studies Quarterly. vol. 55 (3) , pp.691-715
  • Howard, L.M. (2002) 'UN Peace Implementation in Namibia: The Causes of Success', in International Peacekeeping. vol. 9 (1) , pp.99-132
  • Bara, Corinne. (2014-11) 'Incentives and opportunities', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 51 (6) , pp.696-710
  • Murdie, Amanda; Purser, Carolin. (2017-07-03) 'How protest affects opinions of peaceful demonstration and expression rights', in Journal of Human Rights. vol. 16 (3) , pp.351-369
  • Stedman, S. (2001) Implementing Peace Agreements in Civil Wars: Lessons and Recommendations for Policymakers.
  • Fearon, James D.; Laitin, David D. (2003) 'Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 97 (1) , pp.75-90
  • Ramsbotham, Oliver; Woodhouse, Tom; Miall, Hugh. (2016) Contemporary conflict resolution: the prevention, management and transformation of deadly conflicts, Cambridge: Polity Press.
  • Gizelis, T-I; Dorussen, H; Dorussen, M. (2016) RESEARCH FINDINGS ON THE EVOLUTION OF PEACEKEEPING.
  • Ashenfelter, Orley; Layard, Richard; Card, David E. (1986-2011) Handbook of labor economics, Amsterdam: North-Holland. vol. 5
  • Greig, J. Michael. (2001) 'Moments of Opportunity: Recognizing Conditions of Ripeness for International Mediation between Enduring Rivals', in The Journal of Conflict Resolution. vol. 45 (6) , pp.691-718
  • Melander, E. (2010) Amnesty, Peace and Human Development in the Aftermath of Civil War.
  • Mearns, Robin; Norton, Andrew. (c2010) Social dimensions of climate change: equity and vulnerability in a warming world, Washington, DC: World Bank.
  • Fisher, Roger; Ury, William; Patton, Bruce. (2012) Getting to yes: negotiating an agreement without giving in, London: Random House Business.
  • Fisher, Simon. (2000) Working with conflict: skills and strategies for action, London: Zed Books.
  • Powell, Robert. (2006) 'War as a Commitment Problem', in International Organization. vol. 60 (1) , pp.169-203
  • Doyle, Michael W.; Sambanis, Nicholas. (2000) 'International Peacebuilding: A Theoretical and Quantitative Analysis', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 94 (4) , pp.779-801
  • Celestino, Mauricio Rivera; Gleditsch, Kristian Skrede. (2013-05) 'Fresh carnations or all thorn, no rose? Nonviolent campaigns and transitions in autocracies', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 50 (3) , pp.385-400
  • Beardsley, Kyle; Schmidt, Holger. (2012) 'Following the Flag or Following the Charter? Examining the Determinants of UN Involvement in International Crises, 1945-20021', in International Studies Quarterly. vol. 56 (1) , pp.33-49
  • Bakaki, Zorzeta. (2016-01) 'Deconstructing Mediation: A Case Study of the Cod Wars', in Negotiation Journal. vol. 32 (1) , pp.63-78
  • Autesserre, Séverine. (2008) 'The Trouble with Congo: How Local Disputes Fuel Regional Conflict', in Foreign Affairs. vol. 87 (3) , pp.94-110
  • Harbom, Lotta; Wallensteen, Peter. (2005-09) 'Armed Conflict and Its International Dimensions, 1946-2004', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 42 (5) , pp.623-635
  • Karim, Sabrina; Beardsley, Kyle. (2016-01) 'Explaining sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping missions', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 53 (1) , pp.100-115
  • Collier, Paul; Hoeffler, Anke. (2004) 'Greed and Grievance in Civil War', in Oxford Economic Papers. vol. 56 (4) , pp.563-595
  • Fearon, James D. , David D. Laitin. (2000) 'Review: Violence and the Social Construction of Ethnic Identity', in International Organization. vol. 54 (4) , pp.845-877
  • Bercovitch, Jacob; Jackson, Richard. (c2009) Conflict resolution in the twenty-first century: principles, methods, and approaches, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
  • Hartzell, Caroline; Hoddie, Matthew. (2003-04) 'Institutionalizing Peace: Power Sharing and Post-Civil War Conflict Management', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 47 (2) , pp.318-332
  • Gartzke, Erik. (2007) 'The Capitalist Peace', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 51 (1) , pp.166-191
  • Wetlaufer, Gerald B. (1996) 'Limits of Integrative Bargaining, The', in Georgetown Law Journal. vol. 85, pp.369-
  • Salacuse, Jeswald W. (1998-07) 'Ten Ways that Culture Affects Negotiating Style: Some Survey Results', in Negotiation Journal. vol. 14 (3) , pp.221-240
  • Hensel, Paul R.; McLaughlin Mitchell, Sara; Sowers, Thomas E.; Thyne, Clayton L. (2008-02) 'Bones of Contention', in Journal of Conflict Resolution. vol. 52 (1) , pp.117-143
  • Bakaki, Z. (2017) Mediation via International Organizations (Oxford Bibliographies - International Relations).
  • Stephan, Maria J.; Chenoweth, Erica. (2008) 'Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict', in International Security. vol. 33 (1) , pp.7-44
  • Bakaki, Zorzeta; Böhmelt, Tobias; Bove, Vincenzo. (2016-10) 'Barriers to Coordination? Examining the Impact of Culture on International Mediation Occurrence and Effectiveness', in Political Studies. vol. 64 (3) , pp.492-512
  • Pinker, Steven. (2011) The better angels of our nature: the decline of violence in history and its causes, London: Allen Lane.
  • Paris, Roland. (1997) 'Peacebuilding and the Limits of Liberal Internationalism', in International Security. vol. 22 (2) , pp.54-89
  • Beber, B. (2012) 'International Mediation, Selection Effects, and the Question of Bias', in Conflict Management and Peace Science. vol. 29 (4) , pp.397-424
  • Mearsheimer, John J. (1995) 'The False Promise of International Institutions', in International Security. vol. 19 (3) , pp.5-49
  • James D. Fearon and David D. Laitin. (no date) 'Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War', in The American Political Science Review: American Political Science Association.
  • Carothers, Thomas. (1998) 'The Rule of Law Revival', in Foreign Affairs. vol. 77 (2) , pp.95-106
  • Wall Jr, James A.; Druckman, Daniel. (2003) 'Mediation in Peacekeeping Missions', in The Journal of Conflict Resolution. vol. 47 (5) , pp.693-705
  • Böhmelt, Tobias. (2011-10) 'Disaggregating Mediations: The Impact of Multiparty Mediation', in British Journal of Political Science. vol. 41 (04) , pp.859-881

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Quizzes     20% 
Coursework   Reflective Assignment 1     10% 
Coursework   Essay 1    20% 
Coursework   Reflective Assignment 2    10% 
Coursework   Essay 2    30% 
Practical   Presentations/Posters    10% 

Additional coursework information

• Reflective Assignment 1 (Due on Week 11): 2 pages where you reflect on the simulation on week 10. You should reflect on how you used the available information to formulate a strategy and what type of constraints you were facing. Also, briefly assess the performance of your team. • Essay 1: (Due on Week 16) Essay #1 consists of a conflict analysis of a current (on-going post 1989) international conflict of your choosing, drawing on relevant negotiation literature and theory. It will include identifying primary and secondary parties, positions, interests, options, strategic environment etc. The next step is to develop a strategy briefing for one of the parties in the conflict you have analysed. In the briefing, you will be providing advice as to how that party should proceed with the negotiation, given the data in the conflict analysis. It should also include attention to preparation, power dynamics, culture and gender issues where relevant, and coalitions. • Reflective Assignment 2 (Due on Week 25): 2 pages where you reflect on the online negotiation exercise. You should reflect on the outcome of the simulation. Reflect on your participation in the simulation and discuss whether your approach to negotiation has changed since the beginning of the module. • Essay 2: (Due on Week 30) Essay #2 is a research paper that examines a particular example of conflict resolution, for example (international) negotiations, mediation or peacekeeping, with special attention to the processes at work. The task is to identify an appropriate instance of international or civil conflict, and – using the materials of the module – to analyse the reasons why it was or was not settled. The conflict should be post 1945. If a "successful" method of conflict resolution is chosen, the paper might reasonably focus on the reasons for this success and the critical turning points, as well as missed opportunities that might have led to an even more successful outcome. If the paper's focus is on a "failed" attempt to conflict resolution, then the analysis should consider the reasons for this failure, and possible missed opportunities. Also, comment on what kind of lessons can be learned from the failure or success of the conflict resolution process. It is acceptable to focus on the same conflict as studied in Essay #1. • Eight Quizzes: As part of new teaching innovation you are expected to watch a number of 30-45 minute videos before the scheduled lecture. You will also take an online quiz based on the video presentation. The selected weeks are indicated with an asterisk. The quizzes are part of the assessment of student participation. • On-line negotiation exercise: Our on-line simulation will focus on a contemporary civil conflict. Student teams will portray various actors within the chosen conflict and negotiate online with peers in the other universities to develop solutions to the real life conflict. The simulation will provide an overview of the policy interactions among actors engaged within a civil conflict and provide the students an opportunity to put their diplomatic negotiation skills into action. Depending on numbers of students enrolled, participants will negotiate individually or as a part of small teams. The simulation will occur in an online environment, generated by open source software provided by the United States Institute of Peace. The online discussion will occur continually via email for a two-week period, allowing students to fully immerse themselves into the simulation. Within this two-week period students will have opportunities to plan, develop, debate, and vote on specific proposal plans to address the issues in the scenario. In addition to the continual discussions students will also participate in two real-time online conferences. Thus, while most interactions will occur in a setting that gives time for thought and consideration, the real time conferences will add more of a high pressured environment for the students to overcome. The starting date for the simulation is scheduled on week 22, but the starting date might be subject to change. • Autumn & Spring negotiation simulations: Detailed scenarios and group briefing packs will be provided to students to prepare for the simulation. This pack will be based upon a real ongoing conflict, but adapted to enhance the learning experience. These packs will be provided to the students 2 weeks before the start of the simulation to allow them to familiarize themselves with the details, but more importantly to give adequate time for a strategy to be developed. Thus, one of the key aims of the project will be to help the students develop strategic, rather than tactical, thinking. • Presentation and Posters: Participation will be assessed via group presentations & posters during the seminars. More details will be provided in Moodle.

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Zorzeta Bakaki, email: zbakak@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Han Dorussen, email: hdorus@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Ismene Gizelis (Autumn Term) Professor Han Dorussen (Spring Term)
Module Supervisors Professor Han Dorussen hdorus@essex.ac.uk or Dr Zeta Bakaki zbakak@essex.ac.uk or Module Administrator: Jamie Seakens (govpgquery@essex.ac.uk)

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Dr Nicholas Walter Vivyan
University of Durham
Senior Lecturer
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 130 hours, 86 (66.2%) hours available to students:
44 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

 

Further information
Government

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