Courses

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Conflict Analysis and Resolution Courses

CAR201 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution

[3–0, 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.

CAR202 Cross-Cultural Communication and Conflict

[3–0, 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.

CAR213 Mediation Skills

[3–0, 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.

CAR231 Introduction to Human Rights

[3–0, 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?

CAR241 Model United Nations: Diplomatic Skills & Simulation

[3–0, 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.

CAR311 Social Problems

[3–0, 3 cr.]

The course surveys key political ideas primarily from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment up to the beginning of the 20th century. Analysis and discussion of original texts and political ideas related to the general philosophy of each author’s historical and political background.

Prerequisite: POL201.

CAR312 Women and Economic Power

[3–0, 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.

CAR315 Community Conflict and Conflict Resolution

[3–0, 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.

CAR316 Introduction to International Conflict and Conflict Resolution

[3–0, 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.

CAR317 Conflict Resolution Tools for the Business World

[3–0, 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.

CAR318 Religious Thought and Conflict Resolution

[3–0, 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 reviews the contribution of religious thought to building tolerance, encouraging dialogue and initiating processes for conflict resolution and transformation.

CAR415 Negotiation and Bargaining

[3–0, 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 Advanced Academic English

CAR432 Public International Law

[3–0, 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 Advanced Academic English

Prerequisite: POL201 Introduction to Political Science

POL315 Community Conflict and Conflict Resolution

[3–0, 3 cr.]

CAR204 Social Psychology

[3–0, 3 cr.]

Social Psychology 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.

Prerequisite: PSY201 Introduction to Psychology