Mission

The Minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution provides individuals with an understanding of conflict, its sources and dynamics. It also provides individuals an understanding of the approaches and tools available to transform and resolve different types of conflicts.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution is to:

1. Provide a clear understanding of the nature and dynamics of conflicts and the dominant theories in this field; and
2. Analyze different approaches and tools used to understand and address interpersonal, workplace, and international conflicts.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students can:

1. Define conflict and its main sources and dynamics in different contexts;
2. Show awareness regarding the role of leadership, culture, and world views in conflict;
3. Apply different conflict analysis techniques to map and analyze conflicts; and
4. Analyze major conflict resolution techniques and tools used in different contexts.

Admission Requirements

To enter the minor, students must meet the general university requirements.

Graduation Requirements

A total of 18 credits are required for the minor, based on:

Program Requirements

Minor Core Requirements (9 credits)

• PJE201 / Cross-cultural Communication and Conflict
• PJE315 / POL315 / Community Conflict and Conflict Resolution
• POL252 / Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution

Minor Elective Requirements (9 credits)

• MGT317 / POL317 Conflict Resolution Tools for the Business World
• POL213 / Mediation Skills
• POL231 / Introduction to Human Rights
• POL241 / Model United Nation: Diplomatic Skills & Simulation
• POL316 / Introduction to International Conflict and Conflict Resolution
• POL322 / Public International Law
• POL415 / Negotiation and Bargaining
• POL432 / Diplomacy and Consular Services
• PSY204 / Social Psychology
• REL318 / Religious Thought and Conflict Resolution
• SOC311 / Social Problems
• WOS312 / Women and Economic Power

Career Opportunities

A minor in conflict analysis and resolution gives the student greater knowledge and skills on how to deal constructively and effectively with differences and conflicts which will be useful for their professional career in various fields.

Course Descriptions Related to the Minor in Conflict Resolution

MGT317 / POL317 / Conflict Resolution Tools for the Business World [0-3, 3 cr.]  

This course provides an overview of the skills and tools needed to understand different types of conflicts in a business setting. It also provides students with information on how to analyze such conflicts and review techniques used for effective intervention in such conflicts. Real life examples are used to illustrate such conflicts and the processes that have helped achieve conflict resolution or transformation. Furthermore, leadership role and cultural influences are reviewed in addition to conflict resolutions skills such as facilitation, negotiation and mediation techniques. 

PJE201 / Cross-Cultural Communication and Conflict [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course examines the basic concepts, theories and issues of intercultural communication and cross-cultural human relations. The course explores how these relate to interpersonal and group conflict and conflict transformation. (Required core course)

PJE315/POL315 / Community Conflict and Conflict Resolution [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course focuses on the social dimension of conflict by looking at group dynamics and social interactions.  The course reviews concepts such as group formation, inter- and intra-group communication, group dynamics, cultural, religious and other influences as well as ways communal conflict manifest themselves and how conflicts tend to be resolved in communities.  Students would review group conflicts and analyze community conflicts that they are familiar with.  This course will be of significant relevance to Political Science, International Relations and Social Studies students.   The course will review the role of nongovernmental and governmental organizations in contributing to community conflict resolution.  (Required core course)

POL213 / Mediation Skills [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course provides students with an understanding of the role, and types of mediation.  It also provides students with an overview of how mediation is used as a means of resolving conflict.  The course discusses the relationship that exists between mediation and legal processes and gives students a solid grounding in the theoretical underpinnings of mediation.  The course also gives students the opportunity to learn some of the main skills involved in mediation through in-class exercises and simulations.

POL231 / Introduction to Human Rights [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course deals with international human rights’ policies and the moral and political issues to which they give rise. The course poses questions such as: What are human rights? Are some rights more fundamental than others, and what compelling interests, if any, justify their violation?

POL241 / Model United Nation: Diplomatic Skills & Simulation [0-3, 3 cr.] 

The course explores the workings of the United Nations and expands the students’ global awareness on issues ranging from international disputes to cooperation towards development. The course initiates students to international diplomacy by letting them simulate various UN member states and investigate multilateral issues from a national perspective. The students would develop public speaking, debating, and negotiation skills; all while engaging in consensus building and learning prejudice reduction mechanisms.

POL252 / Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution [0-3, 3 cr.]

This introductory course explores the nature of conflict and a variety of tools that can be used to analyze conflict at its different levels. Drawing from broad theoretical bases, the course examines the complex causes of conflict within the framework of human rights and needs. The course introduces students to models for analyzing conflict and practical ways for responding to conflict, including skills of interpersonal communication, negotiation and mediation. (Required core course)

POL316 / Introduction to International Conflict and Conflict Resolution [0-3, 3 cr.] 

The course is designed to introduce students to the causes and dynamics of international conflict and ways they are addressed at the international level.  The course begins by reviewing the different theories that explain the emergence of international conflict.  It then studies the various factors that lead to international conflict and the dynamics that encourage conflict escalation.  Finally, the course reviews the various techniques used to intervene in such conflicts including early warning systems, first and second track diplomacy, sanctions and military intervention among others.

POL332 / Public International Law [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course examines the nature of international law sources, the differences between international law and municipal law and the international systems’ legal organization, states (their territory and jurisdiction) as subjects of international law, as well as international treaties and agreements, diplomatic and consular agents, laws of war, neutrality, belligerent occupation, and war crimes. Through case studies, this course examines the principle laws of nations.

Co-requisite:ENG202/ Sophomore Rhetoric

Prerequisite: POL201 / Introduction to Political Science

POL415 / Negotiation and Bargaining [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course explores negotiation and bargaining from the individual to the international level, including both public and private sector examples.  It covers the context of negotiation, proceeds to the structure of negotiations and to the dynamics, strategy and tactics for persuading, coercing, and bargaining through to conclusion.  Group and national differences and approaches will be highlighted and demonstrated using intra-cultural negotiating exercises.

Prerequisite: POL201 / Introduction to Political Science and ENG202/ Sophomore Rhetoric   

POL432 / Diplomacy and Consular Services [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course covers the structure, functions, and procedures of diplomatic and consular services. It also covers the recruitment of diplomatic and consular personnel, diplomacy and diplomatic theory, and diplomatic privileges and immunities. This course will include interactive activities with diplomats and consulates through field trips to the Lebanese Foreign Ministry and to selected embassies in Lebanon.

Prerequisite: POL201 / Introduction to Political Science and ENG202/ Sophomore Rhetoric

PSY204 / Social Psychology [0-3, 3 cr.] 

Focuses on how individual motives, cognitions, attitudes are affected by groups, organizations and institutes. These influences will be explored in domains such as interpersonal attraction, prejudice, conformity, attitudes, aggression and motivation.

REL318 / Religious Thought and Conflict Resolution [0-3, 3 cr.] 

Religion has offered people a framework to deepen and organize their beliefs, thought and practice; they have also offered believers norms by which to live and to interact with others.  While many consider religion to have often been at the source of conflicts, others look at religion as the way of diffusing conflict and overcoming them.  Among other things, the course looks at decisions made by religious leaders and institutions that helped reduce conflicts at key moments in history and review the contribution of religious thought to building tolerance, encouraging dialogue and initiating processes for conflict resolution and transformation.

SOC311 / Social Problems [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course provides an analysis of the various causes, and types of social problems in modern society, notably in the Middle East. Selected social problems are studied, including various theories related to such problems, and the appropriate solutions are designed and critically analyzed.

WOS312 / Women and Economic Power [0-3, 3 cr.] 

This course aims to explain the economic role played by women at both the household and national levels. The main topics include the participation of women in the labor force, wage differentials, and occupational distribution by gender, as well as determinants of women’s active economic participation, and their contribution to national development.