Introduction to International Conflict Resolution
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Introduction to International Conflict Resolution PS Spring 2009 Montgomery College Location: TC 215 Rockville Campus |
William Primosch, MA william.primosch@montgomerycollege.edu Tel: |
Course Description
The course provides an introduction
to the design, management, theory and analysis of international conflict. It
explores the nature of international conflict and the combination of
psychological, social, anthropological, political, legal and other strategies
(including diplomatic, economic, military and institution-building) that can be
used to resolve such conflict.
Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD
120. 3 semester hours
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course,
students will:
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Mini-Quizzes on
2. Final Exam
(25%)
3. Course Paper/Oral Presentation (20%)
4. Class Participation (5% with possibility of
5 bonus points)
January
26-May 4. To obtain credit for the mini-quiz, you must submit to me before each class a short written review identifying four key points in your readings for
that class (i.e., at least two-three
complete sentences on each key point).
If there is more than one reading, the mini-quiz should identify at
least one key point in each reading.
Late submissions will be penalized.
You should submit your mini-quiz on time even if you are unable to
attend class. All mini-quizzes must be
typed in hard copy or sent by email. Please be sure to include you name, the
assignment date and the reading topic(s) on each mini-quiz.
FINAL EXAMINATION: The final exam on May 11 may include
multiple choice questions, short Identification answers, and short and
medium-length essay questions. It will also include an extra credit
question on which you can demonstrate your knowledge of the internal country
conflict or international conflict that you have selected to examine in the
course.
ORAL PRESENTATION OR ESSAY REQUIREMENT: Students will have the
option of either requesting to make an oral presentation on a particular
conflict or writing an analytical paper. Five students will have the
option, on a first-come first-serve basis, of participating in an oral
presentation on a particular conflict. Note that 20 percent of the grade
on your report will depend whether you use correct spelling, punctuation,
sentence structure and word usage.
·
The oral presentation will involve a 40-minute report to
the class accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation and a 20-minute period for
answering questions from me and your classmates. Students making the oral presentation will
also be required to submit a 1
˝-2 page double-spaced summary of “lessons learned” and a bibliography of
sources used in their presentation. Oral
presentations will be scheduled on consecutive classes from April 6
through May 4 and must be given on the assigned date.
·
Other students will be required to submit a 5-page
double-spaced paper on a specific international conflict and a list of
sources. At least one full page of your paper should include a discussion of
“lessons learned.” The papers are due on April 27. Late submissions will
be penalized. Additional information on the oral and written requirements is
attached. Note that Wikipedia is not an acceptable source for your bibliography
although it may be helpful in providing general background on your topic and
specific factual information (e.g., names, dates, etc.).
All
students should select their oral presentation or essay topic and clear it with
me no later than March 2.
ATTENDANCE
Your attendance is expected at every class. More
than one unexcused absence will result in a reduction in your numerical grade.
Class participation is an important part of the learning process. The grade for class
participation will be based on your active involvement in class discussions and
your ability to demonstrate that you have read and reflected on the required
readings. Students who consistently participate in class discussions and
demonstrate knowledge of the readings will be eligible for up to 5 bonus
points on their final course grade.
Grading Scale: A = 90-100
B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69
F < 60
Textbooks:
Contemporary Conflict Resolution, Oliver
Ramsbotham, Tom Woodhouse and Hugh Miall, Polity Press, Malden, Massachusetts,
2005 (reprinted 2006 & 2007), paperback edition
Other Required
Daily Newspaper: Students are encouraged to read daily
the international sections of the New York Times, Financial Times or
Washington Post, with a focus on articles related to course subjects and
your research topics. Class discussions will draw from current events.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Any students with disabilities or any
other special needs that are authorized special accommodations should make an
appointment to discuss them with me as soon as possible. Please note that you
must see the Disability Support Services (Room CB 122) to receive authorization
for special accommodations.
VETERANS
If you are a veteran or on active or reserve status and are interested in information regarding opportunities, programs and/or services, please visit the Combat2College website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/combat2colleg/ and/or contact a Veterans Club faculty sponsor on your campus.
I
will communicate with all students in the class via the
COURSE WEBSITE
We will use the course website,
accessed on MyMC, to post class announcements, study materials (e.g.,
PowerPoint presentations), course articles and other information of
interest. To access the website:
GROUND RULES FOR EXAMS,
PAPERS, ORAL PRESENTATIONS
1. Course papers that are turned in past the
deadline will be penalized with a substantial reduction in grade unless there
is a compelling reason. All oral presentations must be given on the
assigned date.
2. With respect to exams,
there will be no make-up unless there is a legitimate excuse for having missed
an exam.
3. Neither cheating nor
plagiarism will be tolerated. The penalty for cheating is a failing grade
for the course. Plagiarism includes copying
word-for-word text from other sources to use in your paper and submitting the
writing of others as your own. Plagiarism, which most instructors can easily detect, will
result in an automatic failing grade for the assignment.
Weekly
Topics and
Review of Course Requirements, Format and Grading
Segment 1—Introduction to Conflict Resolution Studies and Basic Concepts
Key issues for discussion:
Evolution of international conflict resolution studies in the 20th
century, with focus shifting from interstate conflicts to ethnic and civil
conflicts within states; goals of “conflict resolution” studies; assumptions
and biases of conflict resolution studies; innovations in theoretical tools,
including game theory, graduated reciprocation in tension reduction (GRIT)
theory, psycho-social analysis and peace movements; overview of contemporary
conflict resolution theory, including mediation tools and stages of conflict
resolution; and discussion of basic concepts in conflict resolution theory and
strategies.
Reading: Chapter 1 “Introduction to Conflict Resolution:
Concepts and Definitions” in Contemporary
Conflict Resolution, Ramsbotham et al., p. 3-31; and “The Conflict
Resolution Field” in Peacemaking in International Conflict: Methods &
Techniques, editor, I. William Zartman, p. 34-40 (To be provided)
Segment 2--The Historical Evolution of International Conflict and
Current Trends
Key issues for discussion: How international conflict
evolved over the 20th century; the impact of
Segment 3--Strategies for Preventing Conflict
Key issues for discussion:
Domestic and international structural causes of conflict; preventive
diplomacy and pre-conflict mediation
Reading: Chapter
5 “Preventing Violent Conflict”, p. 106-130 in Contemporary Conflict Resolution, Oliver Ramsbotham et al.; and
Executive Summary of “The UN Secretary
General’s Report on the Prevention of Armed Conflict,”
Segment 4--Tools for Managing Conflicts—Bilateral and Multilateral
Diplomacy and Economic Sanctions and Incentives
Key issues for discussion: Examination of how third-party
and multilateral diplomacy is used to resolve conflicts; review of other tools
used to encourage agreement among parties in conflict, including economic
sanctions and incentives.
Reading: “Sanctions
and Stability Pacts: The Economic Tools of Peacemaking” by David Cortwright, p.
385-91 and 396-406 in Peacemaking in International Conflict: Methods &
Techniques, editor, I. William Zartman (To be provided)
Segment 5--Interstate Conflict
Keys issues for discussion:
Causes of inter-state conflict, including territorial
issues and
secession; major inter-state conflicts since 1945; consequences of
war; how
interstate wars were finally settled
Segment 6--Case Study of Inter-State Conflict and
Outcomes—Ethiopia-Eritrea War (1998-2000)
Key issues for discussion:
Historical origins of conflict, how the war began, issues in dispute,
role of the UN and mediators, and resolution to date
Reading: “Secession
and Its Aftermath: Eritrea” by Sandra F. Joireman, p. 176-187 in Managing
and Settling Ethnic Conflict, editors Ulrich Schenkener et al. (to be
provided)
Segment 7--Ethnic Conflict–Nature and Causes
Key issues for discussion: Causes of ethnic conflicts and
types of conflicts that have occurred in recent years
Reading: Chapter 4 “Understanding Contemporary Conflict
(section on “Edward Azar’s Theory of Protracted Social Conflict (
Segment 8—Case Study of War in
Reading: To End a War, Richard Holbrooke, 1998, p.
21-33 and other material (to be provided)
Segment 9--Introduction to
Managing/Settling Ethnic Conflict
Key issues for discussion: Overview of range of incentive-based
and coercive approaches to managing and settling ethnic conflicts
Segment 10—Positive Approaches to Managing or Settling Ethnic Conflict:
Democratic Governance; Power-Sharing and “Consociational” Arrangements;
Federalism; and Secession
Case Study of Successful Settlement of Conflict in South Tyrol Region of
Key issues for discussion: Analysis of positive approaches
taken to stop ethnic violence and establish a long-term framework for peace and
stability, and outcomes.
p.
57-70 in Managing and Settling Ethnic
Conflicts Ulrich Schneckener et al
(to be provided
Segment 11— Approaches to Managing Ethnic Conflict Based on Controls, Coercion and
“Co-optation”
Key issues for discussion: How control policies and
“co-optation” can help manage ethnic conflicts and the negative aspects of such
policies.
Segment 12—Case Review of Israeli
Policies Toward Ethnic Arabs in
No Class. Spring Recess March 16-21
class
presentations
Segment 12--Psychological, Social and Political Dimensions of Ethnic
Conflict and Resolution
Key issues for discussion: Theoretical analysis of how
psychological, social and political dynamics affect the nature of ethnic
conflicts and prospects for peaceful resolution
Segment 12A—Class Exercise Part
I—Small Group Discussions on New Initiative to Resolve Conflict in Darfur (
Key Issue for discussion: The class will break up into
groups to discuss the conflict in
Segment 14--Principles of International Conflict Mediation
Key issues for discussion:
Requirements for effect mediation of international conflicts, drawing on
the success of the
Reading: Chapter
7 “Ending Violent Conflict: Peacemaking” (section on “Challenge of Ending
Violent Conflict”) p. 160-176 in Contemporary Conflict Resolution, Oliver
Ramsbotham et al.;: “Northern
Ireland: The Good Friday Solution” by Colm McKeogh in New Zealand International
Review, 1998 (7 pages); and “Building
a Negotiating Strategy” p. 96-115 only in Taming
Intractable Conflicts: Mediation in the Hardest Cases by Chester Crocker et
al. 2002 (to be provided)
Segment 15—Class Exercise Part
II—Panel Debates on New Initiative to Resolve Conflict in Darfur (
Key Issues for Discussion: The four
groups will present their case to each other to see whether there is common
ground for a path toward resolution.
Segment 16—Peacekeeping--Role of UN Missions in Limiting Conflict and
Promoting Conflict Resolution and
Key issues for discussion: review of the different kinds of
UN peacekeeping missions that have been employed to resolve conflicts; the
challenges of organizing peacekeeping missions and making them effective; the
limitation of UN peacekeeping missions; case study of failed UN peacekeeping
mission in
Student Presentation #1
Segment 17—Peace Enforcement--Assessing Military Intervention in
International Conflicts—Key issues for discussion:
Examination of when military intervention is necessary and appropriate under
international law and norms; review of the kinds of military intervention that
have been used; consideration of how intervention often leads to unexpected
consequences; the moral dilemma of conforming with international legal norms
and the ethical need to stop mass violence; case study of NATO intervention in
Bosnia (1995-96).
Segment 18--Review of
Student Presentation #2
Segment 19- Peacebuilding--Review of Post-War Reconstruction Issues
Key issues for discussion: examination of challenges in
ensuring a lasting peace after the violence is halted, including maintenance of
security, strengthening the democratic process, institution building, economic
reconstruction and protection of ethnic rights.
Reading: Chapter 9 “Peacebuilding” p. 215-230 in Contemporary Conflict Resolution by
Oliver Ramsbotham et al; and “Relating Human Rights, Minority Rights and
Self-determination to Minority Protection” by Kristin Henrard p. 51-54 only
(Beginning with “Self Determination Reconsidered) in Managing and Settling Ethnic Conflict ed. Ulrich Schnekener et al
(latter article to be provided)
Segment 20—Case Review of
“Interim
Notions of Statehood in Bosnia-Herzegovina” by Mark Baskin p. 277-286 in
Interim Governments: Institutional Bridges to Peace & Democracy? Karen
Guttieri and Jessica Piombo, editors, 2007 (to be provided)
Student Presentation #3
Class essays due on April 27
Segment 21—Reconciliation--Long-Term
Structural Changes to Promote Peace
Key issues for discussion: Social, political, economic and
security changes needed to ensure fundamental reconciliation and long-term
peace and stability; strategies for fostering these changes, including
confidence-building measures, community empowerment, more equitable
distribution of economic benefits, “truth commissions”, trials of war criminals
and reparations
Student Presentation #4
Student Presentation #5
Segment 22--Lessons Learned from
Managing International Conflicts and Strategies for the Future
Key issues for discussion: Addressing the security dilemma,
assessing control policies, considering the role of military force, devising an
incentive-based participatory framework and implementing a broad post-conflict
peacemaking and reconciliation strategy
Reading: “Future Directions: Towards Cosmopolitan Conflict
Resolution” (Starting with “International Intervention”) p. 324-331, in Contemporary Conflict
Resolution by Oliver
Ramsbotham et al.; “Managing and Settling Ethnic Conflicts: the Context-Design
Nexus” p. 271-284 in Managing and
Settling Ethnic Conflicts by Ulrich Schneckener et al. (latter article to
be provided)
Final Exam
Note: The scheduled time for the
final exam is 7:15-9:15 pm
PS 250 Introduction to
International Conflict Resolution
Essay Requirements
Students
writing an essay for the course should select a conflict from one of those
listed below. Please pre-clear the topic
with me so that we don’t have more than one student researching the same
topic. The essay should be 5
double-spaced pages in length and include a bibliography on a separate
page. See the attached style sheet for
further guidance on format and editing.
The deadline for submitting the essay is our class on Monday, April
26. Late submissions will receive a
minimum reduction of one letter grade. Note that 20 percent of the essay grade
will depend on whether
Essays should address the
following questions to the extent they are relevant to the particular conflict:
The essays will be graded for both
your presentation of factual knowledge and your ability to analyze relevant
issues. Grammar and correctness of spelling and punctuation will also be
considered so you should proofread you essays carefully. Students who have difficulty writing essays
or are still learning English as a second language should take advantage of the
MC Writing Center to get help. Remember
that improving your writing and oral communications skills is also an important
course objective.
Plagiarism will result
in an automatic failing grade for the assignment. Plagiarism includes copying material directly
from sources and submitting the work of others as your own. Most instructors can easily detect
plagiarism because they can compare your writing style in quizzes and exams
with that of your essay.
You should submit your essay topic
to me for approval no later than March 2. Please arrange a time to meet outside of class
if you would like to discuss your topic in more detail or need help in finding
sources of information.
PS 250 Introduction to
International Conflict Resolution
Oral Presentation
Requirements
Five students will have the
opportunity to make an oral presentation to the class in place of an
essay. The presentations will be made in
the five consecutive classes beginning on April 6 and ending May
4. If more than five students are
interested, a selection will be made by lot.
Students making an oral
presentation should select a conflict from one of those listed below. Please pre-clear the topic with me no later
than March 2 so that we don’t have more than one student
speaking on the same topic. The oral
presentation should be approximately 40 minutes in length
and include a Microsoft PowerPoint slide show that highlights key points.
(Montgomery College computers all have Microsoft PowerPoint software installed
so you can type your presentation here at the campus if you do not have
PowerPoint software in your computer at home.)
After the oral presentation, the presenter will answer questions from
the class on their topic for about 20 minutes.
In addition to preparing the PowerPoint
presentations, students must submit after the class a 1 ˝-to-2 page essay on
“lessons learned” from the case study that might be applicable to resolving
other international conflicts. Students
must also submit with this summary a bibliography of sources used for the
report.
The presentation should address
the following questions to the extent they are relevant to the particular
conflict:
List of Conflicts for
Student Essays and Oral Presentations
Other international conflicts may be analyzed if they are relevant to our
analysis and receive prior approval.
Sample
Research Paper Cover Page
TITLE OF
PAPER
BY
Introduction
to International Conflict Resolution
PS 250
Thursday
Class
Date
FORMAT FOR
YOUR BIBLIOGRAPHY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(In
alphabetical order by last name of author. Use this exact format—
Use this style with books
Goldstein, Joshua (2007). International relations, 8th
Ed. New York: Pearson Longman.
Use this style with articles
Huntington, Samuel (1988). The U.S.—Decline or renewal. Foreign
Affairs. 67(2),76-92. (Last numbers
are the volume of the journal and page numbers)
NOTE: Wikipedia is not an acceptable bibliographic
source for a research paper.
·
Contact me well before the due date to discuss
your ideas if you are having difficulty selecting a specific topic and writing
your analysis.