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PACS 3800 Course Overview

COURSE: Peace and Conflict Studies 3800
TITLE: Topics in Peace and Conflict Studies
TERM: Self Paced, Online
INSTRUCTOR: Heidi Burgess, Ph.D. and Guy Burgess, Ph.D.
OFFICE: ARC A222
PHONE: 303-492-1635
EMAIL ADDRESS: burgess@colorado.edu

OFFICE HOURS:  Variable, but we are usually in the office (same office—we work together) 10-6 M-F. Call or email for appointment.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an upper division course that examines intractable conflicts and ways in which these conflicts can be transformed to bring about stable peace. Fundamental concepts of both conflict studies and peace studies will be examined including peace, justice, power, violence and nonviolence, peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding. All of the readings will be applied to a real world conflict in a course-long case study of the student’s choosing. The course also introduces students to Beyond Intractability, the website of the Intractable Conflict Knowledge Base Project. This project (and the website) has been under development for 5 years with a $1.2 million grant from the Hewlett Foundation. The project has involved over 200 people—expert scholars and practitioners in the conflict resolution field—from all over the world. The website has over 400 articles (only some of which are required for this course), and 100 hours of audio transcripts examining the nature, causes, consequences and potential responses to conflict. Although initially focused on serious and intractable conflict, much of this material is applicable to “regular,” tractable conflicts as well. Most of the reading and audio used in

this course comes from this website. Note: We are teaching several different courses based on this website, all of which are different, require different readings, and have different assignments. Thus students could take 2 or 3 and not be duplicating themselves. (The three proposed courses are SOCY 1051, SOCY 4021, and PACS 4500.)

REQUIRED READINGS: 

All of the readings are available online. The bulk of the readings are posted on Beyond Intractability (www.BeyondIntractability.org ) the website of the Intractable Conflict (see above).

COURSE GRADES: There are six units. Each unit has an online quiz worth 25 points and a short paper (3-4 pages) worth 25 points. Starting with Unit 2, these short papers all examine one conflict, and go together to create a major case-study of that conflict, along with an intervention plan at the end. (Guy likes to call this writing a major term paper “on the installment plan.” There is also a comprehensive final exam (given online) worth 100 points, and a required online discussion worth 100 points, for a total of 500 points.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION : Examines specific theoretical perspectives in peace and conflict studies and conducts in-depth research projects using a case-study approach. Emphasizes using critical thinking skills. Case study examples include: U.S. violence, peacemaking/keeping in ethnonationalist conflicts, environmental conflict resolution. Prereq., PACS 2500 or instructor consent.

Description of Course Units:

Readings: from Beyond Intractability, and other online sources.

Topics covered: Distinction between conflicts and disputes, role of conflict in society, the difference between tractable and intractable conflicts, and theories about the causes of each, focusing especially on why some conflicts become intractable, while others do not.

Assessment: Online quiz plus 3-4 page paper examining several “high profile” conflicts in the news. Students should also start logging into the course discussion board on a regular basis. You are expected to post at least 20 comments relating what you are learning to the day’s news or other students’ comments between the time that you turn in this assignment and when you turn in Assignment #6.

Readings: From Beyond Intractability and other online sources.

Topics covered: How to do a conflict analysis of a major, public conflict.

Assessment: Online quiz plus Part I of a major term paper which will examine one particular difficult or intractable conflict in detail and develop an intervention plan for conflict transformation (by the end of the course). In Part I, (which you do now) you will be asked to identify a particular conflict which you want to study for the rest of the course. You will do the first part of the conflict assessment, defining the parties, their positions, their interests, their values, and needs, explain the conflict stage, and at least some of the conflict dynamics.

Readings: From Beyond Intractability and other online sources.

Topics covered: Identity, emotions and relationships—how they determine conflict dynamics.

Assessment: Online quiz plus Part II of your major term paper examining the social-psychological dimensions of your chosen conflict.

Readings: From Beyond Intractability and other online sources.

Topics covered: Power, oppression, status, development and conflict, justice

Assessment: Online quiz plus Part III of your major term paper examining the socio-economic and political dimensions of your conflict.

Readings: From Beyond Intractability and other online sources.

Topics covered: Conflict theories and practices for first parties or disputants

Assessment: Online quiz plus Part IV of your major term paper suggesting a conflict strategy for use by one of the parties in your chosen conflict. (In other words, take one side, explain how you would confront the conflict, and why you would do it that way.) Also explain what you think the likely response will be from the other side and what you hope the eventual outcome will be.

Unit 6: Constructive Intervention for Third Parties

Readings: From Beyond Intractability and other online sources.

Topics covered: Conflict theories and practices for third party intervenors

Assessment: Online quiz plus Part V of your major term paper explaining how you would plan an intervention if you were asked by one of the parties to help them deal with their problem (assuming your are an outside, neutral.) What would you do? How would you do it? What would you need to be able to do this? What obstacles do you see to success? How might you overcome those obstacles? What outcomes are reasonable to hope for?

Final Exam: Comprehensive, “open book,” available online.

UNIVERSITY-RELATED COURSE POLICIES:

HONOR CODE

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions
from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at
http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/ Cheating in this class will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with in the most serious manner possible under the guidelines of the Honor Committee.

The University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and faculty. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention. It can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises or create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender and between any combination of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the OSH and the campus resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed can be obtained at: http://www.colorado.edu/sexualharassment/

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please discuss with me the specific problem before you turn in your first assignment, so that we can determine if you need any kind of special situation. If you do, you will have to submit to me a letter from Disability Services by this time so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

Disability Services' letters for students with disabilities indicate legally mandated reasonable accommodations. The syllabus statements and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices

Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Since this is a self-paced course, this should not be an issue, but if you have a question please contact me as soon as possible. See full details of the University's policy at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac-relig.html

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. See polices at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student-code.