Neil H. Katz, Ph.D.

neilkatz44@gmail.com tel: 315-443-3163

Biographical Summary

Over the past 35 years, Neil H. Katz has distinguished himself as an innovator, leader, teacher, scholar and highly successful practitioner in academia and in organizational consulting. Dr. Katz currently serves as Program Manager for Training and Organizational Development for the Executive Education Programs and faculty member in the Program for the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts in the nationally renowned Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Conflict Practice at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale.  After receiving his doctorate from the University of Maryland in 1974, Neil’s academic career at the Maxwell School included service as founder and director of the Program in Nonviolent Conflict and Change, founder and director of the Annual Summer Institute on Creative Conflict Resolution, co-founder and faculty supervisor for the Campus Mediation Center and the Conflict Resolution Consulting Group, co founder and associate director of the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts and associate professor of  Social Science and Public Affairs.. In addition to these University positions, Neil also serves as President of his own consulting firm, Dr. Neil Katz & Associates.

 

Dr. Katz is the author of over 35 books, articles and book chapters on conflict resolution, interest-based negotiation, mediation, and nonviolent action, and is a board member of national organizations, He is a Danforth Teaching Fellow, a mediator, a process consultant, a facilitator, and a trainer/consultant in organizational leadership, conflict resolution and negotiation skills for business, government, education, and community groups. Katz's clients for professional consultation and training services include: Smith-Barney Financial Services, Allstom Transportation Systems, Eaton Corp.  Rural/Metro Corp., American General‑U.S. Life Insurance Co., Bristol Myers‑Squibb, Inc., Mutual of New York, the Internal Revenue Service, the Office of Personnel Management, the National Science Foundation, the Patent and Trademark Office, the Census Bureau, the Defense Security Services, Rome (N.Y.) Laboratories (U.S.A.F.), the N.Y. State Martin Luther King Jr. Institute/Commission on Nonviolence, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Onondaga County (N.Y.) Police Services, the Bergen County (N.J.) Dept .of Probation, the Danforth Foundation, the N.Y. State Council of School Superintendents, the N.Y. State Departments’ of Education, Health and Labor, the N. Y. Office of Mental Health, the N.Y. State Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, the National Association of School Board Members, The Downtown College Consortium (Oklahoma City)  the Onondaga County (N.Y.) Legislature and Office of the County Executive, and the International Red Cross, University Hospital and Mayor’s Office in Reykjavik, Iceland.  Most recently he has been involved with many school districts throughout the country in training and successfully facilitating school contract negotiations using an interest-based approach.

 

In recent years Dr. Katz headed a consulting/training team from the Executive Education Programs of the Maxwell School that has worked closely with the U.S. Social Security Administration and with the New York State Departments’ of Health, Labor and Education.  In this capacity he has directed over 150 programs in communication and conflict resolution skills, team building and group dynamics, leadership and learning, and interest‑based negotiations for members of labor‑management teams and over 8000 managers throughout the country. During his career, Dr. Katz has received many accolades, among them, the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Award from the Syracuse community for his career long commitment to nonviolent conflict resolution and the principles embodied in Dr. King’s life and work.

 

FUNDAMENTALS OF CONFLICT STUDIES

IRP 601, PPA 601, SOS 601

Fall 2009, 12:45-3:30 PM

Crouse-Hinds Hall 020

Dr. Neil Katz, 400 Eggers Hall, 443-3163
neilkatz44@gmail.com

Office hours: By Appointment

 

DESCRIPTION

 

The goals of this class are to provide students with a broad overview of the interdisciplinary field of conflict analysis and resolution, to introduce them to faculty and the work they are doing in this field, and to help them to develop a framework for diagnosing and responding to conflicts within their own area of interest.  The majority of the semester will be devoted to exploring the diverse range of (sometimes contradictory) theories of social/political conflict found across the social science disciplines.  We will also devote some attention to the applied side of conflict studies; that is, the techniques and tools used by practitioners in the field to manage conflicts across different settings and contexts.  Of particular interest throughout the course will be uncovering how our theories about the nature of social conflicts result in our making particular choices about which conflict resolution activities make sense under which conditions. Relying on a number of guest speakers, documentaries, and group projects, we will consider how conflict manifests across multiple levels of analysis (interpersonal, organizational, and international) as well as within specific topical areas (ethnic/racial, environmental, foreign policy, labor/management, etc.).  Students are encouraged to use this course as a ‘gateway’ to conflict studies and to take advantage of the one-to-three credit seminars on applied conflict management offered by the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts throughout the year.  We wish to acknowledge Professor Bruce Dayton who created the basic design for this course.

 

READING MATERIALS

 

Most of the reading material listed in the syllabus is available on the class website. In addition, a few books are required, including the main textbook for the course.  These books will be located at the Follette Bookstore on the Marshall Street Mall.  Good news:  The 4 “Little Books” should only be in the range of $5 each!

 

Conflict Resolved? by Alan C. Tidwell (Continuum Publ. Or Pinter Publ. 1998) Each student should have a copy of this book as we will refer to it often throughout the course.

 

The Little Book of Conflict Transformation by John Paul Lederach.  Good Books Press., 2003

 

The Little Book of Strategic Negotiation: Negotiating During Turbulent Times by Jayne Seminare Docherty.  Good Books Press., 2005

 

The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr.  Good Books Press., 2002

 

The Little Book of Strategic Peacemaking by Lisa Schirch.  Good Books Press, 2004.

 

 

 

To access the class website go to http://faculty.maxwell.syr.edu/nkatz/

Remember when accessing class readings via the blue colored hyperlinks below you will be asked to enter the log in and password which was emailed to you

  

We will work with you individually to identify additional reading materials related to a particular domain of conflict studies that you are interested in.

 

 

CLASS REQUIREMENTS

 

1.  Reports on Two External Activities: 40% of final grade

 

The field of conflict studies is impossibly large to cover in one short semester.  Accordingly, each student is required to attend 2 events at the Maxwell School, SU, or the community related to conflict and/or conflict management. These may include Maxwell or SU lectures, trainings, or seminars, meetings on community concerns, or an other conflict-related activity that you become aware of.   After attending the event you will write-up a 4-5 page overview that: 1) briefly describes the event (topic, goal, content), 2) concretely relates the event to the course content (readings [with appropriate citations] and discussion), and 3) comments on new insights you gained as a result of the activity. Due dates for the two reports are listed on the syllabus.  

 

External Activity Report, Example 1

External Activity Report, Example 2

Readings/External Activity Report Example 3.pdf

 

2.  Research Paper: 40 % of final grade

 

Each student will write a 16-18 page (use 12 font, Times New Roman, double spaced) case-study research paper in the form of a major proposal for foundation funding. The paper will: 1) analyze a conflict of your choice (in consultation with me); 2) develop a set of goals for a project to transform that conflict from a negative to a more positive state; 3) outline a specific conflict management plan that flows from your expressed project goals, 4) describe how you will evaluate the impact of your project.  The paper is due in two parts. A full description of this project is available at the back of this syllabus.

 

Research Paper, Example 1

Research Paper, Example 2

Readings/Research Paper, Example 3.pdf

Readings/Research Paper, Example 4.pdf

 

3.  Group Facilitation and Individual Participation:  20% of final grade

 

Each student will be placed in a small group of 3 or 4 students.  Each group will work together outside of class to prepare some opening remarks to extend the learning by initiating dialogue with the lecturer and by facilitating class discussion on the assigned readings and lecture. Your small group should highlight:

A. Significant insights from the readings (you might want to have a brief PowerPoint presentation and/or handout for this)

B.  Observations on how the readings and the lecture connect with one another and with the central  

      framework of the course.

You need to check in with me or my assistant on the Friday prior to your presentation on your plans for the group facilitation. 

 

In addition, each member of your group needs to complete a Group Processing Exercise form and discuss the results with your group.  You will then write a 3-4 page paper about your group process and ideas for improvement. (to be handed in the week after your presentation).

 

Conflict Mapping Guide

Group Processing Exercise

Readings/Group Presentation - Processing Exercise.pdf

 

 

The class participation portion of your grade will be based on: 1) my evaluation on whether or not you have read the assigned material and prepared for class, 2) the degree to which you are an active and constructive participant in the class, 3) the degree to which you regularly attend all class sessions. 4) Your group presentation and group processing paper.

 

     

Topic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 4, 2009

  

General Class Overview,  Introductions, and Personal Time-line.

 

Readings:

Katz, Neil.  Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies. In special issue on Peace Studies: Past and Future.  The Annals of the American Academy of  Political and Social Science. July 1989.

 

Lopez, George.  Preface. Special issue on Peace Studies: Past and Future. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. July 1989.

 

Tidwell, Allen, (1998) Chapter 1, “The Challenge of Conflict Resolution” in Conflict Resolved? A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution. London: Pinter, Continuum.

 

Tidwell, Allen (1998) Chapter 2 “Popular Conceptions of Handling Conflict” in Conflict Resolved? A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution.

 

Tidwell, Allen, (1998) Chapter 3 “Assumptions and Meanings in Conflict Resolution” in Conflict Resolved? A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution.

 

Tidwell, Allen, (1998) Chapter 4 “Theories and Theorists in Conflict Resolution” in Conflict Resolved? A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution.

 

 PowerPoint

 

September 11, 2008

 

The Past, Present, and Future of Peace and Conflict Studies and Practice

 

Guest Speaker:  Louis Kriesberg, Professor Emeritus, Social Conflict Studies

 

Papers Due: Conflict Style Survey and Time-line

 

READINGS: (readings will always be due on the assigned class date)

 

Fisher, Simon and Lada Zimina. "Just Wasting Our Time?  Provocative Thoughts for Peacebuilders." In, Peacebuilding at a Crossroads? Dilemmas and Paths for Another Generation. Edited by Beatrix Schmelzle and Martina Fischer. Berlin: Berghof Research Center, 2009.

Kriesberg, Louis. Response, "Making Good Use of the Time: Contributions and Dilemmas of Non-governmental Actors in Peacebuilding." In, Peacebuilding at a Crossroads? Dilemmas and Paths for Another Generation. Edited by Beatrix Schmelzle and Martina Fischer. Berlin: Berghof Research Center, 2009.

 

Kriesberg, Louis.  The Evolution of Conflict Resolution. SAGE Handbook of Conflict Resolution. Ed. By Jacob Bercovitch, Victor Kremenyuk, and I William Zartman (forthcoming)

 

Kriesberg, Louis.  Long Peace or Long War:  A Conflict Resolution Perspective. In Negotiation Journal. April 2007. Vol. 23, Issue 2.

 

Explore CRINFO.org website and read at least 2 summaries of articles/books on issues of Timing and Ripeness for Conflict Intervention.

 

September 18

 

Social Identity Theory and Framing

 

PowerPoint for the lecture

 

GUEST SPEAKER: Bruce Dayton, Associate Director, Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs

 

Eight Assertions About Identity (prepared by Prof. Bruce Dayton)

 

 Group 1 Presentation PowerPoint

 

READINGS:

 

Rothman, J. and Marie Olson, “From Interests to Identities”, Journal of Peace Research, 2001

 

Maoz, Ifat, “An Experiment in Peace: Reconciliation-Aimed Workshops of Jewish-Israeli and Palestinian Youth,” Journal of Peace Research, 2000

 

Dayton, B. “Policy Frames, Policy Making and the Global Climate Change Discourse.” In Addams and Proops, Social Discourse and Environmental Policy, 2000

 

Pinkley, R. and Gregory Northcraft, “Conflict Frames of Reference: Implications for Dispute Processes and Outcomes,” Academy of Management Journal, 1994.

   

September 25

 

The Importance of Cultural Variables in the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts

 

GUEST SPEAKER:  Peter Castro, Associate Professor of Anthropology

 

Lecture PowerPoint

Group Presentation PowerPoint

Presentation_on_Culture_and_Conflict.pptx

 

READINGS: 

 

Avruch, Kevin.  Introduction and Chapter I pgs. 3-21 in Culture and Conflict Resolution, United States Institute of Peace Press, 1998.

 

Pankhurst, Alula. Conflict Management over Contested Natural Resources:  A Case Study of Pasture, Forest, and Irrigation in South Wello, Ethiopia. In Natural Resource Conflict Management Case Studies.

 

Castro, Alfonso Peter and Erik Nielsen. Indigenous People and Co-management: Implications for Conflict Management. In Environmental Science and Policy 4 (2001) pgs. 229-239.

 

Castro, Alfonso Peter and Engel, Antonia. Negotiation and Mediation Techniques for Natural Resource Management: Case Studies and Lessons Learned. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "Introduction" (pp. 1-11) and "Findings & Lessons Learned" (pp. 53-63).

 

October 2

Social Movements and Relationship to Conflict Management

 

GUEST SPEAKER: John Burdick, Professor of Anthropology

 

READINGS:

 

Sharp, Gene. Nonviolent Action. Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict. 2008

Weigert, M Kathleen. Structural Violence. Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace and Conflict. 2008.

 

Kenneth T. Andrews, "Social Movements and Policy Implementation: The Mississippi Civil Rights Movement and The War on Poverty, 1965 to 1971," American Sociological Review, 2001.

 

Hirsch, Eric L. "Sacrifice for the Cause: Group Processes, Recruitment and Commitment in a Student Social Movement."  American Sociological Review, 55(2) 1990.

Gamson, William A. "Commitment and Agency in Social Movements."  Sociological Forum, 6(1), 1991.

 

October 9

Role of Protest in Conflict Resolution

 

GUEST SPEAKER: Don Mitchell, Professor of Geography

 

READINGS:

 

Mitchell, Don and Staeheli, Lynn. "Permitting Protest: Parsing the Fine Geography of Dissent in America." International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, December 2005.

 

Mitchell, Don. "Property Rights, the First Amendment, and Judicial Anti-Urbanism: the Strange Case of Virginia V. Hicks." Urban Geography, pp556-586, 2005

 

Mitchell, Don. "The S.U.V. model of citizenship: floating bubbles, buffer zones, and the rise of 'purely atomic' individual." Political Geography, 2005

 

The Little Book of Strategic Peacemaking by Lisa Schirch.  Good Books Press, 2004

Weigert M, Kathleen. "Structural Violence: Structural Violence in Peace Research and Peace
Action."
Georgetown University, Washington, DC. 2008

 October 16

Peace Building and Emotional Healing in South Africa and Sierra Leone

 

GUEST SPEAKER:  Gearoid Millar, Ph.D. student, PARC

 

Student Presenters' PowerPoint

Gearoid Millar's PowerPoint

 Reconciliation_presentation.pptx

READINGS:      

 

Tutu, Desmond.  No Future Without Forgiveness.”  In Approaches to Peace: A Reader in Peace Studies, Second Edition, edited by David P. Barash.  New York, NY: Oxford University Press.  2000.

Rosenberg, Sarah. "Victimhood." Beyond Intractability, 2003

Linder, Evelin Gerda. "Healing the Cycles of Huliliation: How to Attend to the Emotional Aspects of "Unsolvable" Conflicts and the Use of "Humiliation Entrepreneurship." Peace Psychology, 8 (2), 125-139.

Nadler, Arie, Malloy, Thomas. E & Fisher, Jeffrey D. "The Social Psychology of Intergroup Reconciliation." Oxford University Press. 2008

Furedi, Frank. "Therapy Culture: Cultivating vulnerability in an uncertain age." Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. London and New York. 2004

 

 October 23, 2009

Peace Agreement and Conflict Resolution in Guatemala Crises

 

GUEST SPEAKER: Ambassador Donald Planty, Chair of IR Program

 

READINGS:

 

PowerPoint for the lecture

Conflict_Resolution_in_Guatemala .pptx

 

Schlesinger, Stephen and Kinser Stephen. Chapter 15: the Aftermath. Bitter Fruit, Anchor Books, 1983.

 

Stoll, David. Between Two Armies in the lxil towns of Guatemala, Chapter 1 La Situacion, pp1-21. Columbia University Press, 1993.

 

Tidwell, Allen, (1998) Chapter 5, “Communication and Conflict Resolution”  and Chapter 6, "History and C.R." in Conflict Resolved? A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution. London: Pinter, Continuum.

Kriesberg, Louis. Conflict Transformation. Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace & Conflict. Vol. 1, 2nd Edition. 2008

 

October 30

Issues of Identity in Social Conflicts

 

GUEST SPEAKER:  Terrell Northrup, Assistant Professor of International Relations

 

Lecture PowerPoint

Readings/Identity_Presentation[1].pptx

 

READINGS:

 

Northrup, Terrie. “The Dynamics of Identity in Personal and Social Conflicts.” In L. Kriesberg, Intractable Conflicts and Their Transformation (1989). Syracuse: Syracuse University Press

 

Tidwell, Allen, (1998) Chapter 7, “Enemies” in Conflict Resolved? A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution. London: Pinter, Continuum.

  

Smith, A.D. (1984). Ethnic identity and World Order. Millennium: Journal of International Studies Vol.12, No.2

  November 6

 

Interest based Negotiation and interactive Conflict Resolution

 

GUEST SPEAKER: Neil Katz, Emeritus Associate Professor, Public Affairs

Lecture Powerpoint

Readings/Interactive Conflict Resolution.pptx

 

READINGS:

 

Katz, Neil.  "The Potency of Interest Based Negotiations:  School Contract Negotiations in Sandy Creek, NY."

 

Fisher, Roger and Ury, William.  Chapter 1 pgs. 3-14 & Chapter 6 pg. 101-111 in  Getting to Yes:  Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In.  Penguin Group, 1991

 

Fisher, Ronald J.  Introduction pgs. 1-15 and Conclusion pgs. 253-270 in Interactive Conflict Resolution, Syracuse University Press, 1997.

 

Katz, Neil and Pattarini, Nancy. Interest-Based Negotiation: An Essential Business and Communications Tool for the Public Relations Counselor."

 

 The Little Book of Strategic Negotiation: Negotiating During Turbulent Times by Jayne Seminare Docherty.  Good Books Press., 2005

 

 November 13, 2009

 

US-North Korea Relationship

 

GUEST SPEAKER: Stuart Thorson, Professor of Political Science and International Science

 

Group Presentation PowerPoint

Readings/Track Two Diplomacy Presentation.pptx

 

READINGS:

1. Wu, Anne. Denuclearization of the DPRK—A Role for the United Nations. Korea Economic Institute, 2008.

2. Thorson, Stuart. Harblin, Thomas and Carriere, Frederick. US-North Korea Trust Building through Academic Science Cooperation. Journal of the World Universities Forum, November 3, 2008.

3. Haggard, Stephan. Noland, Marcus. and Weeks, Erik. North Korea on the Precipice of Famine. Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2008.

4. Smith, Hazel. North Korea Policy--If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It...Pacific Forum CSIS, 2008.

5. Hecker, S. Siegfried and Perry, J. William. The Right Path with North Korea. Policy Forum Online 08-040A: May 20th, 2008

6. Paik, Haksoon. The Way We Should Deal with North Korea. policy Forum Online 08-071 A: September 17th, 2008.

7. Luse, Keith. Trip report to DPRK. 2008

8. Gurkaynak, Esra Cuhadar and Dayton, Bruce. Intractable Conflicts and Track Two Diplomacy: Perspectives from Political Psychology.

November 20

 

Dispute Resolution and System Design

 

GUEST SPEAKER:  Christina Merchant, Professor of Practice, Public Administration

                                     

Chris's Lecture PPT

 

Lecture document

 

READINGS:

 

Merchant, Christina., Costantino, Cathy A.  Foreward (by Bill Ury), Chapters 2, 7, and 13, and Epilogue in Designing Conflict Management Systems:  A Guide to Creating Productive and Healthy Organizations.  San Franciso: Jossey-Bass, 1996.

 

Merchant, Christina.  "Preventing, Preempting, and Resolving Conflicts in the Workplace." National Head Start Bulletin, Issue 61.

 

Merchant, Christina.  "The Manager's Role in Alternative Dispute Resolution."  The Bureaucrat to the Public Manager, Fall 1996.

 

Fact Sheet on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Techniques.  Prepared by Christina Merchant, Issue 19, 2000.

 

December 4, 2009

 

Dialogue Groups and Restorative Justice

 

GUEST SPEAKERS: Beth Broadway, Syracuse Interreligious Council and Tina Nabatchi, Assistant Professor of Public Administration

                                 

 

READINGS:

 

Zehr, Howard.  The Little Book of Restorative Justice Good Books Press., 2002

 

Baruch Bush, Robert A.; Folger, Joseph P.  Introduction and Chap. 1 in The Promise of Mediation:  Responding to Conflict Through Empowerment and Recognition.  Jossey-Bass Publishers.

 

Nabatchi, Tina; Napoli, Lisa Marie. "Evaluating Restorative Justice:  A Literature Review."  Indiana Conflict Resolution Institute

 

Tidwell, Allen, (1998) Chapter 8 in Conflict Resolved?  A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution.

 

   

December 11

 

Putting It All Together: A Case Study Using Our 4-Frame Model

 

GUEST SPEAKER:  Neil Katz, Emeritus Associate Professor, Public Affairs

READINGS:

 

Tidwell, Allen, (1998) Chapter 9 in Conflict Resolved?  A Critical Assessment of Conflict Resolution.

 

Katz, Neil.  "Enhancing Conflict Consulting Practice:  Lessons From the Field."  Paper presented at the 20th Anniversary Conference of the Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts, September 27-28, 2007

 

The Little Book of Conflict Transformation by John Paul Lederach.  Good Books Press., 2003

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conflict Analysis and Management Proposal / Research Paper

Fundamentals of Conflict Studies, Fall 2009

 

IMPORTANT DUE DATES

  •  First external activity due October 2 
  • 2nd external activity due November 6
  • Research proposal and bibliography due November 6
  • Conflict Analysis (part 2) due on November 20
  • Entire paper due in my office by 12:00 Noon.  Monday, December 14.

 

 

SCENERIO: You are applying to a major foundation in support of a conflict management project that your organization (imaginary) will carry out. This research paper should be presented as a formal proposal to that foundation.  It should consist of the following elements:

 

1. COVER LETTER

 

Research and select an actual foundation/agency that you think would consider supporting your project. When you turn in your final paper on December 10, attach a cover letter which introduces your organization, very briefly outlines the project, and discusses why you have chosen the foundation you selected.  

 

2.  CONFLICT ANALYSIS

 

Conduct a comprehensive conflict analysis that includes the following (along with any additional information that you deem to be important):

  • An analysis of the origins, bases, roots of the conflict you are addressing.  
  • Conflict history: Important political and historical milestones that have shaped the course of the conflict
  • Stakeholder analysis: a) Who are the current stakeholder groups involved in the conflict? B) What are their positions and the interests, motivations, beliefs, conflict frames, etc. that lie ‘behind’ these?  c) How have these variables impacted the course of the conflict and its prospects for constructive management?

 

3.  PROJECT GOALS

 

  • What aspect of the problem/conflict will you try to address?
  • Why focus on this/these problem and not others?
  • What are your ultimate project goals; that is, what are you trying to transform (attitudes, conditions, quality of justice, ability to communicate, access to decision making, separation)?

 


4. PROJECT METHODOLOGY AND EXPECTED RESULTS

 

  • Detailed description of a proposed conflict management / intervention strategy (activities, participants, tools and methods, duration, location, etc.)
  • Detailed schedule of activities
  • Explicit description of expected results of the activity that links back to your stated goals

 

5. EVALUATION DESIGN

 

  • What do you intend to evaluate as evidence of the success of your project?
  • How will you evaluate it?
  • What barriers might you face as you carry out your evaluation and how will you overcome these barriers?

 

GRADING will be based on:

  • Your ability to integrate significant aspects of the literature we have reviewed in this class into your paper
  • The breadth and depth of your conflict analysis
  • The creativity of your proposed management strategy & evaluation design
  • Your ability to connect each section of the paper with the previous section
  • Clarity / writing style

 

 

ON-LINE RESOURCES

 

For ideas of topics to study, approaches to conflict management, etc. you can link to the following organizations:

 

European Center for Conflict Prevention www.euconflict.org

Colorado Conflict Research Consortium www.colorado.edu/conflict

INCORE www.incore.ulst.ac.uk

Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/

Minority Rights Group International www.minorityrights.org

One World Online www.oneworld.org

Association for Conflict Resolution http://www.acrnet.org/

US Institute of Peace www.usip.org

Carter Center www.cartercenter.org

Study Circles Resource Center www.studycircles.org

Heidelberg Institute of International Conflict Research www.hiik.de

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute www.sipri.se

National Association for Community Mediation http://www.nafcm.org/

Human Rights Watch www.hrw.org

US State Department www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/

Conflict Prevention Center www.osce.org

International Crisis Group www.intl-crisis-group.org

Saferworld www.saferworld.co.uk/conflict/

 

 

 



Conflict Prevention Center www.osce.org

International Crisis Group www.intl-crisis-group.org

Saferworld www.saferworld.co.uk/conflict/