Course Overview

Welcome to the exciting world of conflict management. In the rapidly changing and global context we live in, conflict is a feature of our current reality. Private and public sector organizations, find that they have to be more equipped to deal with different types of conflict. Personal conflicts, inter-personal conflicts and structural conflicts all point to the need for more effective tools for lasting problem solving. Conflict management and negotiation skills are critical skills for any manager to be effective in the workplace.

Conflict situations are common in the work situation. It is thus important for managers to become familiar with the principles, processes, and techniques of conflict management and negotiations.

This course will focus on understanding and analyzing selected theories and practice methods of  peacebuilding and conflict transformation as seen through a social justice lens. Participants will be given a cross?disciplinary perspective on processes that lead toward progressive violent conflict prevention through peacebuilding endeavours, as it relates to the individual, society (local / global) and the environment.  

It provides a comprehensive introduction to the issues dominating the study of contemporary conflict and conflict resolution processes.  It explores the pattern and trajectory of conflict and the processes of resolution at a range of levels from small-scale disputes to international crises.

Course Objectives

1. Recognize how our own attitudes and actions impact on others
2. Find new and effective techniques for managing negative emotions in others and self
3. Describe the main sources of conflict
4. Describe appropriate techniques to manage conflict
5. Explain the appropriate techniques in inter-personal conflict management
6. Describe the appropriate action plan and strategies to manage inter-group conflict
7. Explain the attributes of an effective conflict manager
8. The steps needed to resolve conflict
9. Negotiations and other strategies to resolve conflict
10. Prepare for, engage in and conclude negotiations
11. Analyze critically, theoretical approaches to understanding the relationship between conflict, peace, and social justice;
12. Explore diverse models of social change, including the distinctions between conflict? oriented and peace oriented social change;
13. Identify processes and skills of peacebuilding and conflict transformation;
14. Develop their own peacebuilding and conflict transformation skills; and
15. Demonstrate their ability to resolve conflicts peacefully.