COMMUNITY-BASED CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION

Catalog description

(Slashed with PACS 70003 ) This course is designed to expand students' knowledge of and practice competency with group- and community-level dynamics and peacebuilding techniques, giving students the skills and knowledge to turn divisive situations into strengthened and connected communities. The course begins by introducing theories of group processes, engagement and peacebuilding. It then focuses on using case studies and experiential learning to master the skills and understand the applications of group and community peacebuilding techniques. Case studies range across the areas of education, democracy, leadership, restorative justice, community conflict resolution and institutional change. Examples of topics include theories of group process, engagement, participation, efficacy, dynamics and contact; community conflict resolution process such as intergroup and race dialogue; institutional change and strategic planning including evaluation and intervention for institutions, facilitation, stakeholder identification, planning, best practices and consensus decision making, ground rules, fishbowls and debriefs; and democracy and restorative justice practices including deliberative democracy, circle process and alternatives to violence project (AVP). The final course project involves students applying these skills in partnership with a local community organization, group or neighborhood to address a community need or conflict. This course is taught in a flipped format.