COURSE UNIT TITLE

Offered By

International Relations (English)

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR DOCTOR NAZIF MANDACI

Offered to

Political Science and International Relations (English)
International Relations (English)

Course Objective

Conflict resolution is an interdisciplinary field of study that allows students and practitioners to examine and formulate effective approaches to deep disagreements. Scholars in the field link their work to the study of development, human rights and humanitarian affairs, security policy, psychology and social psychology. The course of study integrates elements of these and other approaches into a framework that allows students to sharpen their understanding of root cause of and dynamics of conflicts, and methods and toolkits required to prevent, manage, resolve and transform them. Conflict resolution is about ideas, theories and methods that can improve our understanding of conflict and our collective practice of reduction in violence and enhancement of political processes for harmonizing not only political but also economic, social, psychological and cognitive interests. The course purports to make student familiar with those involving theoretical views regarding the causes and possible solutions of inter-group (nation, ethnicity) conflicts and help them attain the skill of analysis that would enable them to figure out the root causes, parties, subjects of conflicts and ways and methodology to deal with them.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Recomended or Required Reading

Reading Material:

Main book:
Jacob Bercovitch, Victor Kremenyuk and William Zartman (eds.), The Sage Handbook of Conflict Resolution, London: Sage, 2009.

Supplementary Material:
Hugh Miall, Oliver Ramsbotham, Tom Woodhouse, Contemporary Conflict Resolution, Blackwell, 2005, chapters 1 and 3.
--------- Conflict Tansformation: A Multidimensional Task, Berghoff Handbook of Conflict Resolution, Berghoff Stiftung Press, 2004, pp. 1-20.
Keith Shimko, International Relations Perspectives and Controversies, Woodsworth 2010, pp. 115-139.
Yaacov Bar-Simon Tov (ed), From Conflict Resolution to Reconciliation, Oxford Press, 2004, pp. 11-38; 111-124; 177-198.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture seminars
2. Weekly readings
3. In-class discussions
4. Preparation of term paper proposal
5. Presentation of assignment in class
6. Preparation of term paper
7. Mid-term

Assessment Methods

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

1. The learner will define the concept of conflict, outline the resolution of conflicts between international and intra-national actors, comprehend the complexities in conflict resolution and delineate humanitarian intervention, peace keeping, international mediation and post-conflict processes.
2. The learner will conduct a case study that reflects the theoretical and empirical knowledge in the field and present this study effectively.
3. The learner will offer consistent and aforethought participations, which demonstrate knowledge and understanding of course reading.

Course Requirements:
There will be a mid-term exam. Students are obliged to prepare a term-paper as outlined below, which will be factored into the calculation of the final grade. Naturally, the quality of content, form, and style of the papers will be considered during grading.
Student Responsibilities:
a) The instructor is very firm regarding the submission deadlines for the proposal and research paper. Any transgression will impact the final grade.
b) The course is based on the reading and discussion of texts and topics determined by the instructor, through perspectives offered in academic resources provided or recommended for students.
c) Students must submit a one-page proposal (approximately 500 words) outlining the topic of their research paper and the major theoretical or substantive issues to be examined. This proposal will help the professor assess progress and development, as well as provide feedback and support for the independent study. The research proposal must be submitted to the professor within 3 weeks.
d) Students are required to write a at least 3.000-word research paper, addressing the themes and topics of the course. This paper should be an original piece of research incorporating sources beyond those directly covered in class. Students are expected to collaborate with the professor to produce a high-quality piece of academic work. The draft version of the research paper must be submitted to the professor by the 10th class in the 10th week, after which students will begin presenting their work in class. As mentioned above, the term papers are to be assessed as final-exam, hence students are obliged to submit their final form in the announced final-exam date

There will be 4 quizzes at most following the mid-term exam related to the topics handled a week prior to that class.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

1) Attending at least 70 % of lectures is mandatory.
2) Plagiarism of any type will result in disciplinary action.
3) Learners should complete course readings before the class to which they are assigned.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

nazif.mandaci@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

To be announced

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes