University of Essex

GV217-5-SP-CO:
Conflict Analysis

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Government

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Spring

Level: Undergraduate: Level 5

Status: ReassessmentOnly

Start date: Monday 15 January 2024

End date: Friday 22 March 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 19 May 2022

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

This course aims to provide an overview and a basic framework for understanding the evolving field of conflict analysis. It examines theories that attempt to explain the causes, dynamics and management of conflicts, be they international or domestic. We will focus on the various strategies of conflict management ranging from direct negotiations to the role of third parties such as mediation, humanitarian intervention, as well as conflict transformation strategies such as prosecution, reparations, and institutional reforms.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

1. To introduce students to the major theoretical, conceptual and methodological issues associated with the study of conflict analysis; and
2. To provide students with the tools to understand, evaluate and respond to domestic/international issues.

Module learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Understand key concepts in conflict studies.
2. Understand the dynamics of conflicts and the role of key actors.
3. Evaluate the different methods of conflict management, resolution, and transformation

Module information

The module also enables students to acquire the following generic and transferable skills:

1. Library and Internet research
2. Evaluate critically arguments and evidence
3. Exposition and argumentation in a structured fashion
4. Presenting oral arguments to peers in an effective manner
5. Production of short well-researched reports/memos
6. Working to deadlines
7. Conducting oneself in a scholarly and professional manner

This module is part of the Q-Step pathway. Q-Step is an award which you can gain simply by enrolling on specific modules and will signal to employers your capability in quantitative research. Learn more about the Q-Step pathway and enhance your degree now.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered as a 2-hour seminar that will involve an interactive lecture, class discussions, as well as breakout discussion groups.

Bibliography

Arend, A.C. and Beck, R.J. (2014) International Law and the Use of Force: Beyond the U.N. Charter Paradigm. Routledge.
Anthony Clark Arend (no date) ‘International Law and the Recourse to Force: A Shift in Paradigms’, Stanford Journal of International Law, 27(1). Available at: http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?public=false&handle=hein.journals/stanit27&id=13.
Gareth Evans and Mohamed Sahnoun (2002) ‘The Responsibility to Protect’, Foreign Affairs, 81(6). Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20033347#metadata_info_tab_contents.
‘War Don Don | Kanopy’ (no date). Available at: https://www.kanopy.com/en/essexuk/video/144283.
Ohlson, T. (2008) ‘Understanding Causes of War and Peace’, European Journal of International Relations, 14(1), pp. 133–160. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066107087765.
Fisher, S. (2022) Working with Conflict. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
Hudson, V. (no date) ‘Linking Security of Women and Security of States.’ Available at: https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/wp-content/uploads/FWV_blueprint_1-Evidence.pdf.
Kydd, A.H. and Walter, B.F. (2006) ‘The Strategies of Terrorism’, International Security, 31(1), pp. 49–80. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1162/isec.2006.31.1.49.
Julia Bacha: How women wage conflict without violence | TED Talk (no date). Available at: https://www.ted.com/talks/julia_bacha_how_women_wage_conflict_without_violence.
Jennifer Jackson Preece (1998) ‘Ethnic Cleansing as an Instrument of Nation-State Creation: Changing State Practices and Evolving Legal Norms’, Human Rights Quarterly, 20(4). Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/762790#metadata_info_tab_contents.
Caprioli, M. and Trumbore, P.F. (2005) ‘Rhetoric versus Reality’, Journal of Conflict Resolution, 49(5), pp. 770–791. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002705279335.
Gleditsch, K.S. and Pickering, S. (2014) ‘Wars are becoming less frequent: a response to Harrison and Wolf’, The Economic History Review, 67(1), pp. 214–230. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0289.12002.
Reid, L. (2017) ‘Finding a Peace that Lasts’, Journal of Conflict Resolution, 61(7), pp. 1401–1431. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002715611231.
Duursma, A. (2020) ‘African Solutions to African Challenges: The Role of Legitimacy in Mediating Civil Wars in Africa’, International Organization, 74(2), pp. 295–330. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818320000041.
Walter, B.F., Howard, L.M. and Fortna, V.P. (2021) ‘The Extraordinary Relationship between Peacekeeping and Peace’, British Journal of Political Science, 51(4), pp. 1705–1722. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S000712342000023X.
Putnam, R.D. (1988) ‘Diplomacy and domestic politics: the logic of two-level games’, International Organization, 42(3), pp. 427–460. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300027697.
Fisher, R. and Ury, W. (2012) Getting to yes: negotiating an agreement without giving in. New ed. London: Cornerstone Digital. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/264763.
Ury, W. (1993) Getting past no: negotiating your way from confrontation to cooperation. Rev. ed. New York: Bantam Books. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/696688.
Fisher, R. (1995) Getting Ready to Negotiate. Penguin Books. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6077816.
Kaminski, S., Beres, S. and Hayes, R. (2003) ‘Negotiating the Non-Negotiable: Dealing with Absolutist Terrorists’, International Negotiation, 8(3), pp. 451–467. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1163/1571806031310824.
Crocker, C.A., Hampson, F.O. and Aall, P.R. (1996) Managing global chaos: sources of and responses to international conflict. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press.
The Story: An Overview of the Experiment — Stanford Prison Experiment (no date). Available at: https://www.prisonexp.org/the-story.
Milgram Experiment: Summary, Results, Conclusion, & Ethics (no date). Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html.
Smiley, C. and Fakunle, D. (2016) ‘From “brute” to ”thug:” The demonization and criminalization of unarmed Black male victims in America’, Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 26(3-4), pp. 350–366. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2015.1129256.
The War For Kindness | The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos (no date). Available at: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/the-war-for-kindness.
What Is Transitional Justice? | International Center for Transitional Justice (no date). Available at: https://www.ictj.org/what-transitional-justice.
Graybill, L.S. (2004) ‘Pardon, punishment, and amnesia: three African post-conflict methods’, Third World Quarterly, 25(6), pp. 1117–1130. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/0143659042000256922.
Faten Ghosn & Joanna Jandali (2020) ‘The Price of Prosecution: The Reality for Syrian Transitional Justice’, Penn State Journal of Law and International Affairs, 8(1). Available at: http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?public=false&handle=hein.journals/pensalfaw8&id=5.
Brounéus, K. (2010) ‘The Trauma of Truth Telling: Effects of Witnessing in the Rwandan Gacaca Courts on Psychological Health’, Journal of Conflict Resolution, 54(3), pp. 408–437. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002709360322.
Powers, K. (2007) ‘The Globalization of Reparation Movements’, NAACP Special Edition (July-August): 1-17 [Preprint]. Available at: https://moodle.essex.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/1890462/mod_resource/content/1/Powers%202008.pdf.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Reassessment without attendance 2022-23 ONLY IF REQUIRED BY EXAM BOARD

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Prof Faten Ghosn, email: f.ghosn@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Professor Faten Ghosn

Contact details: Module Supervisor: Prof. Faten Ghosn - f.ghosen@essex.ac.uk / Module Administrator: Jasini Hobbs - govquery@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: Yes

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Max Gallop

Institution: University of Strathclyde

Academic role: Senior Lecturer

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 100 hours, 91 (91%) hours available to students:
9 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).

Further information

Department website: Government

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Module Directory

GV217-5-SP-CO:Conflict Analysis