Course Descriptions

Core Courses (Required for CONF Majors):

CONF 101 Conflict and Our World: Brief history of the growth of the field, survey of key conflict resolution themes and theories, and intervention methods. Overview of the field including general factors of conflict and its resolution, including the nature of conflict in interpersonal, group/organizational, and international situations.

CONF 210 Theories of Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Through this course students will utilize critical thinking and analytical skills to begin an in-depth examination of the major theories of conflict analysis and resolution. Theories and case studies will include root causes and dynamics of conflict, and methods of conflict analysis and resolution.

CONF 300 Conflict Resolution Techniques and Practice: Advanced consideration of CONF 101 topics, introduction of the core notion of reflective practice, conflict resolution techniques, practice, third party roles, and ethics.

CONF 301 Research and Inquiry in Conflict Resolution: Introduction to social science research methods at the undergraduate level. Covers basic epistemology of social research, including quantitative and qualitative methods, with an emphasis on participatory-action research and evaluation/assessment work.

CONF 302 Culture, Identity, and Conflict: Covers deeply rooted, intractable, or protracted social conflicts around core issues of identity, including race, ethnicity, religion, and nationalism. Students will explore cultural, symbolic, and discursive approaches to identity conflict.

CONF 320 Interpersonal Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Covers conflict at the micro level. Students are introduced to theories of conflict drawn from various disciplines, including psychology, anthropology, and conflict resolution. From readings, case studies, and role plays, students will develop the ability to analyze and intervene in interpersonal conflicts. Also prepares students for further coursework if they choose the interpersonal conflict concentration.

CONF 330 Community, Group, and Organizational Conflict Analysis: Covers conflict at the mezzo level. Introduces students to theories of social harmony and conflict, drawing on sociology, social psychology, community psychology, organizational psychology, administration of justice, philosophy, and conflict resolution. Through case studies, class presentations and group projects, students will develop the ability to analyze a conflict as well as make recommendations for change. Also prepares students for further coursework if they choose the community and organizational conflict concentration.

CONF 340 Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Covers conflict at the macro level. Introduces students to theories of international and global violence and conflict, drawing from the disciplines of international relations, political science, intercultural communication, and conflict resolution. Covers the impact of globalization and structural causes of conflict. From class discussions, case studies, and a final paper, students will develop analytical skills that will help in the analysis of conflict. Prepares students for further coursework if they choose the international conflict concentration.

CONF 490 Synthesis: A capstone course in which students reflect on what they have learned, integrating knowledge from all their coursework and synthesizing it to a cogent body of knowledge. Coursework includes class discussion and a final project that demonstrates understanding of conflict theory and reflective practice.

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CONF Field Experience Courses (At least one is required for CONF Majors):

CONF 370 Internship Field Experience: Internships will provide an opportunity for students to gain practical experience, reflect on those experiences, and apply academic theories outside of the normal classroom environment. Students must obtain approval and complete an internship proposal application in order to be registered for the course.

CONF 375 Special Programs Field Experience

CONF 385 International Field Experience: In-depth investigation of conflict theory through study abroad experience. Intended for participation in a GMU or other university sponsored program.

CONF 485 Service Learning Intensive: Provides students with real-world setting to link conflict theory to resolution practice. Students will engage with grassroots organizations in conflict assessment, resolution process designs, trainings, and project implementation in domestic and international settings.

CONF 499 Independent Research in Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Prerequisites: CONF 101 and permission of instructor. Readings and research conducted on individual basis in consultation with instructor. Student may not present more than 3 credits for graduation credit.

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CONF Electives, Special Topics, and Cross-Listed Courses:

CONF 314 (formerly CONF 190) Advising Seminar for Conflict Majors: This one-credit course examines issues and opportunities relevant to CONF majors to enhance their overall success in the program. Topics include academic planning, field experience process, critical thinking in course work, career exploration and readiness, and co-curricular opportunities. This course is open to any CONF major that has completed at least 15 hours, but not more than 75 hours.

CONF 325 Dialogue and Difference: Communicating effectively across differences of age, gender, language, culture, and political orientation, and in different contextual situations is a skill useful for every individual. It is also integral to the success of any attempt to resolve conflict, whether individual, group/institutional, or global. Through this course, students will gain an understanding of the challenges of communication across differences and the skills required to communicate effectively. Student will engage in preparing and analyzing communications strategies and over the term will participate in a dialogue group that explores the meaning and experience of difference on the Mason campus.

CONF 331 Simulation in Community and Organizational Conflict Resolution: Building on the theories and concepts presented in CONF 330, this one credit laboratory/simulation course focuses on the practice of community, group, and organizational conflict resolution through intensive simulations. Students practice dialogue, problem-solving, mediation and negotiation skills in their application to a conflict in the organizational setting.

CONF 341 Simulation in Global Conflict Resolution: Building on the theories and concepts presented in CONF 340, this one credit laboratory/simulation course focuses on the practice of global conflict resolution through intensive simulations. Students practice dialogue, problem-solving, mediation and negotiation skills in their application to a conflict in the international arena.

CONF 345 Social Dynamics of Terrorism, Security, and Justice: Terrorism is a significant factor in conflict worldwide, yet the underlying causes and conditions that give rise to terrorist activity are often misunderstood and misrepresented. Through case studies of terrorist groups around the world, this course presents students with an analytic framework to account for terrorist acts and organizations. Course lectures and materials will also explore the various social dynamics underlying the development of terrorism and responses to it. Topics include, but are not limited to, defining terrorism, recruitment into violent groups, dynamics of terrorist organizations, counterterrorism and human rights concerns, the role of religious and political ideologies in terrorism and counterterrorism, media coverage of terrorism, and effects of terrorism on social structures and processes.

CONF 393 Philosophy, Conflict Theory, and Violence: This course examines causes, sources, and origins of group violence with particular attention to group violence of ethnicity conflict. Explores alternative proposals that explain why violence becomes primary, or at least visible, form of revolving conflict in some societies.

CONF 394 Human Rights and Inequality: This course examines inequality, social justice, and human rights in an age of globalization. Topics may include international law and order, welfare and social policy, regionalism and multilateralism, environmental protection, gender equality, terrorist and transnational criminal networks, human trafficking, modern slavery, world poverty, corporate military firms, governance of global financial institutions, security, and transnational social movements.

CONF 398 Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution Practice: Selected topics relating to the practice of conflict resolution. Topics vary but may include the somatic skills, physiological aspects of conflict and the human body, interpersonal conflict awareness, mediation skills and processes, and conflict intervention techniques. May be repeated for up to nine credits if topics vary.

CONF 399 Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Examination of selected topics relating to analysis or resolution of conflict. Topics vary but may include historical examination of a conflict, social issues stemming from conflict, ethical issues in intervention, globalization, human rights, sources of conflict, or the relationship of particular identity domains to conflict. May be repeated for up to nine credits if topics vary.

CONF 425 Mediating Conflict: A skill development course connecting conflict resolution theory and practice to the mediation process through lectures, discussion. self-reflection, experiential learning, and role-plays. This course has been approved to meet the 20-hour basic education requirements for mediation certification by the Judicial Council of Virginia and the Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia.

CONF 435 Building Peace in Divided Societies: A major challenge to peacebuilding efforts domestically and globally are the boundaries that communities believe separates themselves from others. The boundaries have ethnic, racial, religious or cultural roots, often with long histories of division and violence. This class will examine case studies and strategies from around the globe of peacebuilding in complex communities.

• Building Peace in Divided Societies
• Global Engagement
• Political and Social Action
• Justice & Reconciliation
• Interpersonal Dynamics
• Collaborative Leadership

Building Peace in Divided Societies
CONF 325 Dialogue and Difference
CONF 435 Building Peace in Divided Societies
COMM 305 Foundations of Intercultural Communication
CULT 320 Globalization and Culture
ECON 360 Economics of Developign Areas
GGS 307 Sustainable Development
GOVT 342 Diplomacy
HIST 373 The Civil War and Reconstruction
INTS 305 Conflict Resolution and Transformation
SOCI 320 Social Structure and Globalization

Global Engagement
CONF 345 Social Dynamics of Terrorism, Security & Justice
CRIM 405 Law & Justice around the World
EVPP 337 Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries
GGS 301 Political Geography
GGS 307 Sustainable Development
GOVT 322 International Relations Theory
GOVT 342 Diplomacy
GOVT 446 International Law & Organization
INTS 416 Refugee & Internal Displacement
SOCI 388 Violence & Religion

Justice & Reconciliation
CONF 394 Human Rights & Inequality
CONF 435 Building Peace in Dividded Societies
CRIM 307 Social Inequality, Crime & Justice
CRIM 404 Crime Victims & Victimization
CRIM 406 Family Law & the Justice System
INTS 300 Law & Justice
INTS 314 Conflict, Trauma, & Healing
INTS 362 Social Justice & Human Rights
SOCI 308 Race & Ethnicity in a Changing World
SOCI 355 Social Inequality

Interpersonal Dynamics
CONF 325 Dialogue & Difference
CONF 425 Mediating Conflict
COMM 301 Foundations of Interpersonal Communication
COMM 305 Foundations of Intercultural Communication
INTS 317 Issues in Family Relationships
PSYC 231 Social Psychology 
PSYC 379 Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC 417 Science of Well Being
PSYC 467 Psychology of Working in Groups & Teams
SOCI 309 Marriage, Families & Intimate Life
SOCI 315 Contemporary Gender Relations

Collaborative Leadership
CONF 325 Dialogue & Difference
COMM 201 Small Group Communication
COMM 335 Organizational Communications
GOVT 351 Administration in the Political System
INTS 351 The Nonprofit Sector
INTS 404 Ethics & Leadership
INTS 435 Leadership in a Changing Environment
MBUS 301 Managing People & Organizations
PRLS 316 Leadership & Outdoor Education
PSYC 333 Industrial & Organizational Psychology
PSYC 335 Psychology of Creativity & Innovation

Individualized

Students interested in creating their own concentration can work with the director or advisor 

to decide upon a curriculum that will fulfill the BA/BS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.