B020850 - INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION

english

The course presents concepts and theories related to the peaceful transformation of international violent conflicts, illustrating them with examples driven from global peace initiatives, European and Italian experiences in the field.

Lederach, J.P., The moral imagination. The art and soul of building peace. Oxford / New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.
Kriesberg, Louis / Dayton, Bruce. Constructive conflicts: from escalation to resolution. Rowman & Littlefield, 2012.
ADDITIONAL TEXTS: SEE DETAILED PROGRAM

FURTHER REFERENCE TEXTS:
Additional references for consultation
Royo Aspa, J. M., Urgell García, J., Urrutia Arestizábal, P., VillellasAriño, A., & Villellas Ariño, M. (2018). Peace Talks in Focus 2018. Report on Trends and Scenarios. Barcelona: Icaria Editorial / Escola de Cultura de Pau, UAB. http://escolapau.uab.cat/img/programas/alerta/negociaciones/18/negociaciones18i.pdf
- Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation; http://www.berghof-foundation.org/publications/handbook/berghof-handbook-for-conflict-transformation/
- Institute for Economics & Peace. Global Peace Index 2018: Measuring Peace in a Complex World, Sydney, June 2018. Available from: http://visionofhumanity.org/reports


All texts are available on the Moodle platform of the course (access at www.e-l.unifi.it ; course: International Conflict Transformation 2017/2018, password : conflict).

CONOSCENZE [Knowledge]:
Main models and theories of conflict analysis and transformation; role of international actors (International Organizations, Civil Society) in peace processes
COMPETENZE [skills]:
Negotiation, mediation, case study work.

Capacità acquisite al termine del corso [abilities gained at the end of the course]:
After completing this course, students will:
have a clear understanding of international conflict transformation, the key underlying ideas and theories
have an in-depth understanding of modes of intervention and current concepts related to peacekeeping, peacebuilding and reconciliation
have gained an insight in concrete examples of conflict transformation work performed both by global and Italian organizations.
Understand and be able to apply basic skills and strategies of conflict resolution and transformation

Classes will be held combining different forms of teaching and learning: lectures, group discussions on assigned readings, students presentations, experiential training and in class exercises, and videos shown in order to present actual case studies and encourage reflection and discussion. Handouts and other materials will be distributed in class by the instructor.

Attendance to the course is mandatory for Syracuse University in Florence students, highly recommended for UNIFI and Erasmus students.
Having good quality conversation means that you must also possess knowledge and ideas from which our discussions can be launched. Thus, every student is expected to have completed the readings for that day. A successful course is an act of “co-creation”: it is both the lecturer's and the participants' responsibility. And, so that we may better make our points and enjoy the intellectual companionship the classroom offers us, students are expected to bring the texts to class each time we meet.
Classroom Etiquette: Being a class offered by the University of Florence, the audience will be quite diverse, comprising students from Italy, the European Union (“Erasmus” program), the US (Syracuse University study abroad program) and from the global South. This enriches the learning experience, but requires at times some patience and a degree of intercultural sensitivity. Please be respectful of the opinion of others, and do not be afraid of articulating your own.
Remember to turn cell phones and similar devices off during class. Please do not leave the classroom during class time –use the restrooms or visit the bar before or after class but not during. Please refrain from using electronic devices for social media, chatting and the like in class!
Finally in order to discourage mindless consumption of plastic, student are encouraged to use refillable bottles instead of disposable ones.

EXAM - FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE COURSE (studenti frequentanti)
Students will have to complete
- short assignments during the course – participating in group work, practical exercises and role plays;
- midterm assignment: a short analysis of a specific international conflict, approximately 1200 words.
- The final exam will consist in one final paper (see below) and has to be delivered by email 4-5 days before the chosen exam date.
The final grade will reflect of your performance in each of the areas above and is divided as follows:
25% Participation and personal contribution to class
25 % Midterm assignment
50% Final Paper

FINAL PAPER
In addition to the required reading, students will submit a written paper analyzing a conflict and specific strategies, concepts and tools for its peaceful transformation. The essay has to be about 18 pages, double spaced, for MA students, and about 12 pages, for undergraduate (SUF) students.
Writing the paper you should:
- choose a relevant title and divide the text into paragraphs, with a brief introduction and a conclusion;
- formulate a guiding question you want to answer to with your work;
- use what has been written in the literature to back up your argument: concepts, theories and empirical findings;
- critically assess the quality of sources: avoid to quote Wikipedia, use partisan sources with care and discuss them critically. Avoid one-dimensional, one-sided descriptions of conflict.
- include a complete bibliography at the end. You are expected to use at least 10 different texts (7 for SUF undergraduates).
FOR STUDENTS TAKING THE EXAMS WITHOUT ATTENDING THE COURSE (studenti non frequentanti - UNIFI and Erasmus only):
Students should prepare the exam studying the texts in the reading list: Lederach, J.P., The moral imagination (2005) and the list of additional texts for all sessions. Articles are available in the internet, books are at UNIFI and SUF libraries.
In addition to the required reading, students will submit a written paper analyzing a conflict and / or specific strategies, concepts and tools for its peaceful transformation. The essay has to be about 18 pages, double spaced (see above for essential guidelines).

1. 13.09 Introduction to the course – themes, methods and requirements
2. 13.09 (15.00 – 17.00) Rescuing human lives in the Mediterranean
a meeting with humanitarian workers of the NGO SOS Méditerranée
19.09 No Class
3. 20.09 The global context: climate change, resource depletion, conflicts
Ehrlich, P. R., & Ehrlich, A. H. (2013). Can a collapse of global civilization be avoided? Proc. R. Soc. B, 280(1754), 20122845.
Bardi, Ugo, World Mineral resources and the Limits to Economic Growth, 2014
4. 26.09. Conflict - Definitions of conflicts - conflict constellations
Kriesberg, L. Constructive Conflicts: From Escalation to Resolution, Rowman & Littlefield, Ch. 1.
“Conflict” in: Berghof Glossary on Conflict Transformation
5. 27.09 Conflict: typology and sources
Sandole, D., “Typologies”, in: Cheldelin et al. Conflict, 39-54
Rubenstein, R., “Sources”, in: Cheldelin et al., Conflict, 55-67
6. 03.10 Conflict: escalation and de-escalation
Kriesberg, L. Constructive Conflicts: From Escalation to Resolution, Rowman & Littlefield, Ch. 6, 7.
7. 04.10 A closer look at contemporary armed conflicts: protracted social / ethnopolitical conflicts, “new wars”, “Long War on Terror”, “Jihadist terrorism”
“Conflict”, in: Berghof Glossary on Conflict Transformation, p. 10-16 (required reading for all.)

“jig saw” discussion in class:
One text chosen among the following:
1. Pettersson, T., & Eck, K. (2018). Organized violence, 1989–2017. Journal of Peace Research, 55(4), 535–547. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343318784101

2. Kaldor, M. (2013). In Defence of New Wars. Stability: International Journal of Security and Development, 2(1), 4. doi:10.5334/sta.at
3. International Crisis Group (2016). Exploring disorder. Al Qaida and the Islamic State. Brussels: ICG

8. 10.10 Conflict resolution, conflict transformation
“Introduction to Conflict Resolution: concepts and definitions”, in Ramsbotham, O., Woodhouse, T., & Miall, H. (2011). Contemporary Conflict Resolution. Polity, p. 3-31.

“Conflict Transformation”, Berghof Glossary on Conflict Transformation, p. 22-27.
Miall, H. “Conflict transformation: A multi-dimensional task”, Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation, Berlin: Berghof Center for Constructive Conflict Management (2004)

9. 11.10 Guest lecturer: Anthony Foreman (Peaceful Change Initiative)
What do peacebuilders do?
10. 17.10 Conflict transformation skills: active listening
Rogers, C. R., Farson, R. E., (1957). Active listening. Industrial Relations Center of The University of Chicago.
11. 18.10 Negotiation theory and practice
Patton, B. (2005). Negotiation. In M. L. Moffitt & R. C. Bordone (Eds.), The handbook of dispute resolution (pp. 279–303).
12. 24.10 Negotiation exercise

13. 25.10 Guest lecturer: Emanuele De Girolamo (PhD cand. Università di Firenze)
International Political Economy and Armed Conflict
Reading: TbA
14. 31.10 Conflict transformation skills: Mediation and problem solving
Fisher, R. (2001). Methods of third-party intervention. The Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation. Berlin: Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management.

01.11 NO CLASS (Italian holiday)
07.11 International Mediation – concepts and cases
Reading:
Kriesberg, L., & Dayton, B. W. (2012). Constructive conflicts: from escalation to resolution (4th ed). Ch. 9 – Mediation. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield 2012.
DEADLINE to hand in first written assignment
08.11 Introducing the moral imagination
Lederach, ch. 1 , 2, 3, 4
14.11 “Track two” diplomacy – Peace constituencies and the role of civil society
Jones, P. L. (2015). Ch. 1 What is Track Two Diplomacy?, in: Track two diplomacy in theory and practice. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, p. 7-31.
Lederach, ch. 8, 9
“Peace Constituencies”, The Berghof Glossary on Conflict Transformation
15.11 “Track three” and unarmed peacekeeping
Schweitzer, C., & Carrière, R. (2010). Civilian peacekeeping a barely tapped resource. Belm-Vehrte: Sozio-Publ.
p. 7-34, 53-64
21.11
Peacebuilding and education:
Bush, K. D., & Saltarelli, D. (2000). The two faces of education in ethnic conflict. Firenze: UNICEF - Innocenti Research Centre
Novelli, M., Lopes Cardozo, M. T., & Smith, A. (2017). The 4RS Framework: Analyzing Education’s Contribution to Sustainable Peacebuilding with Social Justice in Conflict-Affected Contexts. Journal of Education in Emergencies, 3(1), 14–43.
22.11 Gender and conflict transformation – UN SC Resolution 1325 and beyond
Harders, C. (2011). Gender relations, violence and conflict transformation. Advancing conflict transformation: The Berghof handbook II. Opladen: Barbara Budrich Publishers.
28.11 Peace accords: realities and challenges Lederach, ch. 5
Royo Aspa, J. M., Urgell García, J., Urrutia Arestizábal, P., VillellasAriño, A., & Villellas Ariño, M. (2018). Peace Talks in Focus 2018. Report on Trends and Scenarios. Barcelona: Icaria Editorial / Escola de Cultura de Pau, UAB. http://escolapau.uab.cat/img/programas/alerta/negociaciones/18/negociaciones18i.pdf
Please read p. 15-30 and two case studies of your choice
29.11 Nonviolence and conflict transformation
Dudouet, V. (2008). Nonviolent resistance and conflict transformation in power asymmetries. Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation. Berlin: Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management.

05.12 The challenge of lasting peace and reconciliation
Lederach Ch. 12,13,14


06.12 The challenge of lasting peace and reconciliation
General discussion
Conclusion of the course ; evaluation
11.12 Deadline to hand in term paper (for students taking the exam on 12.12)
All other students: please hand in final paper 4 days before your chosen exame date. Exame dates for January and February 2018 will be announced before December
14.12 Final exam (for SUF and Erasmus students )
20.12 Final exam (for UNIFI students)