Advanced Seminar in Development and Conflict (DHP P225)
FLETCHER SCHOOL

FALL
Instructors:
Diana Chigas
617-627-3329
Peter Uvin
617-627-2731

This course will examine the emerging field of cultural conflict analysis and conflict resolution, and will critically evaluate its usefulness in confronting contemporary global political and humanitarian challenges. One of the most baffling challenges to contemporary efforts at international cooperation in a broad range of pursuits is the profound diversity of human cultural expressions. This cultural diversity is often ignored in the hopes that compelling globalizing trends in economics, politics, and culture will simply overwhelm these “inconvenient” regional and ethnic peculiarities. But these “peculiarities” are often at the heart of numerous conflicts, sometimes very deadly conflicts. Systematic attempts to understand the relationship of cultural difference, conflict, and methods of peacemaking, are a recent analytic undertaking, and they raise fundamental questions about prevailing methods of globalization and international diplomacy. Simulations will be utilized. (Friday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)

Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution

TUFTS UNIVERSITY (UEP 0230)

FALL

Instructor:
Robert Burdick
Department of Urban and Environmental Policy
617-627-3394

Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution is a course in which students study theories of negotiation and apply theories in simulated disputes and transactions, which are then debriefed in class. The course focuses on 1) negotiation planning, 2) case preparation and evaluation, 3) analysis of the bargaining range and principled concession patterns, 4) gender and race, 5) competitive, cooperative, and problem-solving strategies, and 6) information bargaining. All students are observed multiple times in negotiation session and receive feedback from the instructor. Students are required to keep weekly journals, reviewed by the instructor, addressing their experiences in and thoughts about negotiations. Limited to 24 students. (Thursday 6:00-9:00 p.m.)

Seminar on Peace Operations (ILO L224)
FLETCHER SCHOOL

FALL
Instructor:
Ian Johnstone
Fletcher School
617-627-4172
ian.johnstone@tufts.edu

Enthusiasm for peacekeeping has waxed and waned in recent years, from exuberance in the early 1990s to disappointment and disinterest in the mid-90s, back to cautious enthusiasm at the end of the decade, to what is now almost universal recognition that peace operations are an important strategic tool for the management of international peace and security. Between 1999 and 2008, 13 major UN peacekeeping missions were established, along with regional operations undertaken by NATO, the European Union, African Union, ECOWAS and various other organizations and coalitions. There were more than 40 UN and non-UN peace operations deployed in the year 2007. This course combines a thematic and case study approach to this complex aspect of contemporary international affairs. We will look at UN and non-UN peace operations, broadly defined to include peace-keeping, peace enforcement and post-conflict peace-building. We begin with a number of sessions on fundamentals: the UN Charter framework, history and types of peace operation, doctrine, functions and capacity. Select cases are studied to draw out common themes and concerns, such as the problem of ‘spoilers’, the peace v. justice debate, the dilemmas of humanitarian action and the challenges of state-building. The focus is on post-Cold War operations, examined in light of past experience and official attempts to reflect on the evolving nature of peacekeeping. The course concludes with a series of student-led presentations on recent missions, designed to draw on knowledge garnered from the cases, themes and issues studied earlier. (Monday 3:20-5:20 p.m.)

Seminar on International Mediation (DHP D 221)
FLETCHER SCHOOL OF LAW AND DIPLOMACY

SPRING
Eileen Babbitt
Fletcher School
617-627-3796

This seminar focuses on the role and functions provided by mediators in the international arena. Mediation is located within the broader family of international intervention approaches, as practiced by individuals, international and transnational organizations, small and large states, and in bilateral or multilateral contexts. Topics to be covered include: exploring the role of international mediation in preventing, managing, or resolving conflicts; understanding the perspective of a mediator as opposed to other parties in a dispute; analyzing strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of international mediators; understanding the strategies and tactics that have been adopted in previous mediation efforts; and exploring how mediation might be used in current conflicts. Students must have completed DHP220 or have permission of instructor. (Monday 3:20-5:20 p.m.)

Seminar on Crisis Management and Complex Emergencies (P 245)
FLETCHER SCHOOL OF LAW AND DIPLOMACY

FALL
Instructor:
Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr.
Fletcher School
617-627-2738

Consideration of crisis management in theory and practice, drawing from the period since World War II and selected earlier crises as well as the post-9/11 world; attacks of September 11, 2001; theories of crisis prevention, escalation, management, de-escalation, termination, and post-crisis management; decision making processes; crisis bargaining and negotiation; the role of third-parties; the National Security Act of 1947 and decisional frameworks in successive US administrations; crisis management in the 21st century. Emphasis on theoretical literature, as well as crisis management from the perspective of actual participants in recent crises and complex emergencies and utilization of case studies on a comparative basis. The seminar includes a major weekend crisis simulation exercise with outside participants invited from the official policy community. (Tuesday 3:20-5:20 p.m.)