Students wishing to receive university credit or a certificate for the online course are expected to read all of the material presented on this website,* and then try to apply some of it to their own lives by writing a series of papers about the material and about their own experiences relating to difficult, prolonged, or intractable conflicts. Since the website is, indeed, a fairly complicated web, much of the material is interlinked. We suggest you go through it one unit at a time, reading the background (theoretical) material presented in Unit 1, and then moving on to Framing and Scoping Problems and Treatments in Unit 2, and so on. Read the detailed write-up on each problem and each solution, as well as the material that links to each of those write-ups. Since each problem, solution, and example is linked to several other problems, solutions, and examples, it will not take long for you to find that you are linking to things you have already read. When this happens, you don't have to read the material again (unless, of course, you want to review it in the context of what you just read).
Once you have read through all the material in a particular unit (including the full write-ups, the links to related problems, solutions, and examples), you will then need to write a five page essay about the material presented in the unit. (See below for more information).
*NOTE: Many of the problem and solution write ups have links to outside sources of information. These are links to websites produced by other people and organizations, not the Conflict Consortium. While we think you may find these sites very interesting and useful, they are not required reading for the course (they are far too extensive for that!)
(One is required for each of the eight units.)
For each unit write a five page essay summarizing, from your perspective, the principal conflict problems discussed in that unit and the most effective strategies for dealing with those problems. While this essay should initially be based upon training program materials, you are asked to focus only on those problems and treatment strategies which, from your perspective, are important and useful. (They might be particularly applicable to a conflict you know about or are involved in, or seem important to you for everyday life). You should also feel free to criticize the ideas presented in the materials and offer your own alternative approaches. Users for whom English is not their native language should not spend a lot of effort trying to get the English just right. We are very understanding about the problems of writing in multiple languages. Assignments should simply be e-mailed to crc@colorado.edu and we will respond by return e-mail.
Percentages indicate the weight that is placed on each section in the grading process.
Each of the program sections lists common conflict problems with a short description. When you click on a problem you will receive: 1) a more detailed description of the problem; 2) links to actual examples of the problem; 3) a list of possible solutions to the problem, and 4) links to closely related problems. You will get a similar list of choices if you go to the solution list for a particular problem. In this case you will see a list of possible solutions of each problem along with a two sentence description. When you click on a solution you will receive: 1) a more detailed description; 2) examples of how the solution has been implemented in an actual conflict situation; and 3) see a list of other problems that this solution helps deal with. To simplify programming, it is often necessary to go back to the previous screen to get the menu of other choices. To do this use the "go back" arrow on your browser. You can also use the menu bar if you selected it at the opening screen.
The units presented in the course are divided into four parts. The first part gives background information. This part focuses primarily on general concepts, theoretical ideas, and overarching assumptions. It provides background knowledge about the nature and functions of conflict, why and when it occurs, and how it can be approached both practically and theoretically.
This introductory unit is followed by three groups of problem and treatment units. The first problem/treatment group involves problem definition--defining what the conflict is about (framing), who is involved, and what the context of the conflict is (scoping). Without an accurate understanding of the people and/or issues involved and how the conflict relates to other situations (past and present), it is very hard to confront any conflict in an effective way.
The second problem/treatment part looks at complicating factors that often make conflicts worse than they really should be and more difficult to handle constructively, even if one takes care of all of the problems discussed earlier. These complicating factors include communication problems, fact-finding problems, procedural problems, and escalation.
The third problem/treatment section examines confrontation strategies. People involved in conflicts can do one of two things. They can withdraw from the conflict, or they can confront it in some way. When they confront it, they are trying to influence the situation in a way which will benefit themselves. They may use force, they may try to negotiate, or they may try to persuade the opponent to change his or her attitudes and/or behavior using what we call "integrative strategies." Sections address each of these three topics as well as overall treatment strategies which combine multiple approaches.
There is one variation in this structure, however, involving unit 7. This unit combines one complicating factor category (procedural problems and solutions) with one confrontation strategy category (exchange problems and solutions). We combined these because most of the procedural problems involve negotiation and related processes which are the primary exchange strategies. For this reason, we thought it most logical to combine these into one unit for the purpose of the course.
The second assignment for the course asks you to write a detailed case study (at least 20 pages) describing an actual conflict situation and applying the ideas that you have learned from reading the material presented in this program to that situation. Here you have three choices. 1) You can apply the ideas learned in the class to an actual conflict in which you are involved and then report the results. (How well did things work or not work? Why?) 2) The second possibility is for you to systematically observe an ongoing conflict in your community, reporting how the conflict is being handled and the results of that approach. You should also make recommendations suggesting more constructive ways of handling the issue. 3) Alternatively, you can do an in-depth case study based upon library research about a conflict that you are not personally able to observe.
As a further guide, you should consider addressing the following questions. In considering these questions, please feel free to disregard those that are not applicable or very important. Concentrate your efforts on those important aspects of the conflict which really seem to be making a difference.
- What are the core issues?
- Who are the parties?
- What, if any, framing problems have arisen? How might they be limited?
- What, if any, fact-finding problems have arisen? How might they be limited?
- What, if any, procedural problems have arisen? How might they be limited?
- What, if any, misunderstandings have arisen? How might they be limited?
- Has escalation emerged as a problem? How might it be limited?
- What alternatives to a negotiated agreement do the parties think that they have?
- What efforts are the parties making to persuade their opponents to change their mind?
- What negotiation efforts are being pursued? Could be pursued?
- How do you think that the conflict could be handled more constructively?
At this time the online training program does not include any exercises or role plays. We are, however, planning to add some in the near future.
Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu