14 Jan A discussion of how you

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 1 Forum

One of our readings discusses two distinct theoretical strands within CR scholarship: ‘‘conflict settlement’’ and ‘‘conflict transformation.’’ What are the main distinctions? Why does it matter?

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to more than 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words and include direct questions.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 2 Forum

Thai-Cambodian Border Dispute

From the perspective of various academic disciplines, there have been different explanations for conflict and war. This week we will examine a specific case study that shows that even small incidents can explode into major issues.

According to Australian News Service reports, Thailand and Cambodia have begun high-level talks aimed at resolving a military stand-off over a disputed temple on their joint border. Defense officials met in a border town about 350 kilometers from the 11th century temple that has been the focus of a decade-long dispute between the two neighbors.

Hundreds of Thai and Cambodian troops have faced each other at the Preah Vihear temple since mid-July, backed up by several thousand more troops and heavy artillery on both sides. A Cambodian government spokesman says he does not expect a swift end to the stand-off, but believes the talks will ease some of the tension. https://casebook.icrc.org/case-study/cambodiathailand-border-conflict-around-temple-preah-vihear

The temple has provoked political turmoil in Thailand after Prime Minister Samak’s government agreed last month to support Cambodia’s bid to win World Heritage status for the ruins. The World Court ruled in 1962 that it belongs to Cambodia, but its most accessible entrance lies in Thailand and the exact border is in dispute.

A Thai court invalidated the prime minister’s agreement, and foreign minister Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign in the ensuing scandal. The parliamentary opposition is mulling impeachment motions against the entire cabinet. Despite the controversy, earlier this month the UN’s cultural agency UNESCO awarded the temple World Heritage status in recognition of its importance as an example of ancient Khmer architecture.

Examine this case study in terms how conflict can arise and escalate. The discussion will probably require that you fully investigate the Thai-Cambodian case.

In this seminar discussion, you need to ensure a full exchange of ideas and comments. This means going beyond statements of “I agree with…”.

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to more than 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 3 Forum

Country Case Study

For this forum, access www.cartercenter.org. Once on the Internet site:

1. Click on Peace Programs (Top Bar)

2. Click on Conflict Resolution Programs (Top Bar)

3. On the right bar, under Conflict Resolution Program Links, click on Activities by Countries

Within this site, there are 11 country or region case studies in which the Carter Center has served as a mediator. Selecting one country, provide a brief overview of the conflict resolution situation. Additionally integrate the review with the assigned readings for Week 3. Your work is to be posted in the Forum.

Note: Please observe postings by your classmates as not to duplicate case studies.

Additionally, building knowledge about particular case studies will prepare you for the Comprehensive Examination that completes your degree program

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to more than 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 4 Forum

Negotiating an Impasse

In examining the Darfur Case Study, it definitely appears that this conflict seems “to lurch from impasse to impasse.” Why is this the case?

In addition to posting your response in the Forum for Week 4, critique the response of two other students. This requires that you go beyond “I agree with…” or “I disagree with…” statements. You need to explain the rationale for your agreement or disagreement. Remember that in formal academic writing you want to avoid using first person.

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to more than 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 5 Forum

Role Introduction

For this week, please review the Chechnya simulation at the following link:

https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/chechnya.pdf.

This provides an overview of what our 3 week simulation will look like. For this week we begin by introducing ourselves and by becoming familiar with the conflict.

To do:

Each student will select a specific role. There will be no duplicated and there needs to be at least 4 Russians and four Chechens.

Introduce yourself and please discuss – while in character – the cause of the conflict in Chechyna.

The roles for this simulation are found in the case study, The Use of Force in Chechnya: An Exploration through Track-Two Diplomacy. https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/chechnya.pdf

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to more than 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 6 Forum

Simulation Phase 2

Having noted the difference in positions on the status of Chechnya and how strongly those opinions are felt, how can the situation be resolved without the use of violence?

If you have already posted a response “in character,” feel free to do one “out of character,” that is, as an observer. In character posts can be to a broad audience (the whole board), to the press or to specific members (as private communications … although everyone will be able to see these).

Be sure to remind us, if you are in character (and which character you are) or out of character.

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to more than 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 7 Forum

Conflict Resolution Intervention Principles

What do you think should be principles of conflict intervention? Come up with at least five ideas. Draw upon course readings to support your ideas. You can use principles from other sources, just be sure to state very clearly why you support each one.

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to at least 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Week 8 Forum

Ethical dimensions

We are now in the last week of the course, and you have been exposed to a wide range of literature on conflict resolution. What do you think are the ethical issues involved in researching conflict?

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 350 words. Please respond to more than 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 150 words.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Assignment Research Paper Proposal

Assignment Instructions

Your research paper proposal is due at the end of Week 2. Please take some time to review the International Crisis Group’s research on conflict in the Central African Republic. https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/central-african-republic

The proposal should be about 250 words to include what you consider to be the three most significant challenges and obstacles to conflict resolution in the Central African Republic. You cannot know for sure what all the challenges are just yet, nor what theories of conflict resolution you will apply to solve them. We don’t expect you to know the subject in depth by the end of this week. Your true research will come between now and Week 8. Yet try to find some preliminary research of what methods and theories have been tried and their outcomes. What you are looking for is a specific research question about the topic. After you’ve read the International Crisis Group materials, what bothers you about this conflict? What questions do you have?

Do some exploring with the SAGE Research Materials in our library. Here’s a 2018 podcast that features some of the tools. This is good practice for the type of research you will do in your capstone course!

Format your proposal to include:

1. Your proposed research question. Be specific as to the three challenges that you have identified.

2. A brief summary of what the challenges are and why they are important in addressing the conflict. In the works you review in preliminary research, what are these authors missing in their studies? What gaps will you be able to fill?

3. A references list with 5 sources specific to the research question. Spend some time in the journal databases in our library to find the most current and relevant articles concerning your research question. At least 2 of the sources should be peer-reviewed journal articles.

Hint: Look at the readings for the first two weeks of the course and find some of the most relevant authors. Look at their references lists in the journal articles. Who are some of the authors that you see consistently? Search for more of their works in the databases.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Assignment Simulation Video

Video Presentation:

At the completion of the simulation exercise, each participant will submit a video debriefing to leadership. It should be about 10 to 15 minutes. The presentation will include:

An introduction that explains the purpose of the simulation and the importance of the topic.

A discussion of what you knew or suspected going in. You may discuss relevant readings that address the topic.

A discussion of critical factors that contribute to a successful resolution of a conflict.

A discussion of lessons learned from the simulation

A discussion of how you would recommend things be done differently.

Each video should have a transcript for 508 compliance. Upload a copy of the transcript as a Word document here in the assignment folder. The video should be an .mp4 file and may be uploaded to the Media Gallery.

IRLS611 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice

Assignment Research Paper

For this assignment, you will write a 7 – 9-page paper applying theories of conflict and what you have learned about identifying obstacles to conflict resolution and proposing alternative strategies to overcome such barriers to the conflict in the Central African Republic. You should enhance your argument with logic and statistical support. At least 10-12 sources are required, with at least 4 of them from peer-reviewed sources that show the basis for the theories you apply. Peer-reviewed sources include journal articles or academic monographs.