For the Spring 2010 IPCR Courses Schedule, click here

For the Fall 2009 IPCR Course Schedule, click here

IPCR offers a diverse array of courses that engage students in the current topics of the field. The courses bridge theoretical and practical approaches to conflict analysis, conflict resolution, and nonviolent approaches to peace. The roles of gender, religion, identity, environment, and human rights are also highlighted and explored.

The Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution is the core degree option within IPCR. The 39-credit program explores the following critical issues: theories on the causes of war and organized violence at the international and intra-national levels, alternative approaches to resolving and preventing conflict, approaches to peacemaking, the formation of cooperative global relationships, cross-cultural negotiation, crisis management and response, and individual and community transformation.

New Courses in Spring 2010!

HNRS 302-012H Localizing Peace: Community-Embedded Capacities

This course is premised on a comprehensive understanding of peace that explores local capacities for peacebuilding and sustainable development in a multitude of diverse cultural and religious contexts. Peace at global, regional and national levels is unlikely to take root unless such capacities are established – for ultimately peace must be made and practiced on a local basis. This course addresses the vital need to make active use of local peace resources and to pursue forms of local-international collaboration that sustainably yield locally valid and effective solutions—currently an emerging area in the field of Conflict Resolution. Localizing Peace seeks to develop practical frameworks and raise critical questions for identifying, eliciting and tapping local resources to enhance capacity for local solutions to conflict.

SIS 696/496 Ethics and Peacebuilding

This graduate-level course explores ethical dilemmas in international peacebuilding. It will seek to answer the questions: What ethical dilemmas arise in peacebuilding? How can we assess these dilemmas? And, are ethical peacebuilding interventions possible? The course will divide ethical dilemmas into three categories of analysis: dilemmas that arise within peacebuilding paradigms, policies, and on-the-ground practices. Students will be introduced to a number of core ethical theories, concepts and frameworks which they will apply to case studies. Through the course, students will broaden their understanding of ethics in peacebuilding, acquire theoretical and conceptual tools for analyzing ethical dilemmas and develop skills in designing ethical responses to the challenges that arise in peacebuilding practice.

IPCR Core Courses

The following four course descriptions are required courses for master's students in IPCR. These courses are usually offered in both fall and spring semesters.

Peace Paradigms (SIS 607)

This course examines the history and development of contending approaches to peace, their basic assumptions and methodologies, and their application to current conflict situations, with particular emphasis upon the following: peace through coercive power; peace through nonviolence; peace through world order; and peace through personal and community transformation.

Conflict Analysis and Resolution (SIS 609)

This course explores conflict resolution as a field of inquiry and research; perspectives, theories, and assumptions underlying conflict analysis and conflict resolution; and contending approaches to conflict resolution training and practice. A case analysis approach is used to examine the role of contemporary issues in conflict situations.

Theory of Conflict, Violence and War (SIS 610)

Survey of the theoretical and empirical literature on the causes and conditions of conflict, particularly conflict which is expressed violently at all levels. Includes analyzing violence at the individual level, defining violence (physical, economic, social, cultural, systematic) and why societies support violence.

Culture, Peace and Conflict Resolution: Alternatives to Violence (SIS 606)

This course examines the complex role of culture in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Historically grounded conceptualizations of culture are reviewed in terms of their international relations application. The course identifies core patterns of cultural differences in values and beliefs, interpretive frames, and behaviors that impact on peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts. Also examines specific conflict intervention approaches in terms of their cross-cultural applicability.

Additional Courses in IPCR

The following list includes other IPCR courses, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. For more information about these courses, please visit www.american.edu/registrar.

Confronting Our Differences/Discovering Our Similarities: Conflict Resolution (SIS-220) 

This course on conflict resolution examines our interdependent world and fosters greater intercultural awareness and communication. It encourages students to explore their own sense of identity, attitudes and behavioral choices, and how they affect and are affected by differences and similarities encountered with others. The course employs experiential learning activities. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite for General Education credit: ECON-110 or GOVT-130 or HIST-120 or SIS-105 or SIS-110.

Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution (SIS-308)  

Conflict and violence, as well as cooperation and peaceful change, within and among individuals, cultures, and systems. Effective means for diminishing the level of violence, for increasing the potential for non-exploitative cooperative coexistence, and for collaborative conflict resolution are explored. Usually offered every term.

Introduction to Human Rights (SIS-322)  

This course provides a broad overview of international human rights, beginning with an exploration of the philosophical and political foundations and then turning to the main principles of international human rights law and policy. The course also provides a solid grounding in the main United Nations and regional systems for human rights protection and promotion. In addition, students are introduced to the methodology of human rights fact-finding, including interview techniques and planning investigations Throughout the course, students are encouraged to think as both advocates and critics, and to explore whether and how they could make a productive contribution to this dynamic field. Usually offered every term.

Principles and Practice of Peace (SIS-349-003)  

This course examines the successes of non-violent conflict resolution as practiced by both the world's well known peacemakers and obscure peacemakers. The course readings range from Gandhi, Tolstoy, and Dorothy Day and also includes class discussions on current conflicts. This course is discussion-based with ample room for dissent and agreement.

Human Rights and the Media (SIS-396)  

Through the close study of documentary films and other audio-visual material, this course introduces the concept of human rights issues. The course features close study of films and readings, with guest speakers drawn from the fields of documentary and human rights to explore specific human rights issues, such as the development of human rights strategies in U.S. foreign policy, the use of military force in the name of human rights, the role of the United Nations in human rights promotion, and the changing nature of human rights activism, and examines how audio-visual material, especially the documentary form, play a global watchdog role and both inform and persuade human rights stakeholders.

Kurds: Social, Cultural, Political Identities (SIS-511) 

This course focuses on Kurds in the international context. It examines the relationship among the Kurds and Turkey and Iran and also explores superpower policies with regard to the Kurdish issue.

Islamic Peace Paradigms (SIS-515) 

The ideal of peace is deeply embedded in the religious vision of Islam, but ideas for achieving peace have differed. This course explores the interpretive foundations, history, and practice of four major Islamic paradigms: tradition, reformism (islah), renewalism (tajdid), and Sufism (tasawwuf). The origins, value structure, and methodology of each paradigm are examined in light of the challenges facing contemporary Islamic societies. Usually offered every fall.

Peacebuilding in Divided Societies (SIS-516) 

This course explores the various methods and techniques of peacebuilding and conflict resolution that have been applied in conflicts in multiethnic and divided societies. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the primary case studies, but other examples of deep-rooted conflicts are also integrated into the class. Usually offered every fall.

Post-Saddam Iraq (SIS-519-004) 

The objective of this course is to understand as best as possible the complexities of post-Saddam Iraq, as they affect Iraqis. Through class discussions, documentary films, required readings and guest lectures, the course considers current political, social, and cultural trends in Iraq and amongst the Iraqi Diaspora that has fled Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party government. The course also reviews seminal events in Iraq's history since 1921.

U.S. Iran Relations (SIS-519-005) 

This course reviews the state of U.S.-Iran relations in the context of historical changes from the end of World War II to the present, including the politics of oil, the fall of Mossadeqe, the emergence of a Cold War partnership with Iran, the effect of U.S. policy on the Iranian revolution of 1979, the hostage crisis, and the Iran Contra scandal. Contemporary issues and problems such as Iran's nuclear program and challenges to U.S. foreign policy are also discussed. The course examines the historical and contemporary relationship, presenting both challenges and opportunities to American foreign policy and national security interests, to provide an understanding of U.S.-Iran relations in cultural, economic, and social as well as political terms.

International Negotiation (SIS-611) 

Survey of the theoretical literature on the communicative dimensions of negotiating international conflicts and an examination of conflict settings such as hostage/terrorist situations, diplomatic crises, and protracted social conflicts. Also examines a communication-based approach that focuses on "face" needs, interest/demands, and relationships among the contending parties. The role of emotion is highlighted and specific communication skills central to effective negotiation and mediation of intense conflicts are practiced. Usually offered every term.

Research Seminar: Peace and Conflict Resolution (SIS-612) 

Integrative seminar to test theories and assumptions raised in contemporary venues of peace and conflict resolution research. Seminar focuses on peace and conflict resolution research as distinct from research into war and violent conflict. Theoretical and methodological approaches to peace and conflict resolution studies are examined in detail. Usually offered every spring.

Reconciliation and Justice (SIS-613)  

This course exposes students to the complex and multi-dimensional aspects of the relationship between reconciliation and justice in a post-conflict context. It also develops a deeper understanding of the challenges involved in applying and designing a reconciliation project in a development context. The course addresses the tension between the request for reconciliation, coexistence, and peace and the demand for justice. Usually offered every fall.

Applied Conflict Resolution (SIS-617) 

Examines a variety of theories for analyzing conflict and a range of methods for addressing it at various levels of social interaction. Through interactive learning methods, students see the strengths and limitations of concepts and methods, as well as their potential applications. Usually offered every term.

Dialogue: Approaches and Applications (SIS-619-005) 

This course explores different theories and approaches to dialogue as a conflict transformation framework. It focuses on various types of identity-based conflict and the use of dialogue approaches and tools to transform and change the dynamics of ethnic, religious, and cultural conflicts. Interfaith, interethnic, and intercultural dialogue processes and case studies are explored and examined, especially their design, process, and possible impact. Meets with SIS-419-021

Human Rights in Latin America (SIS-619-016) 

Drawing on theory and case studies, this course examines alternative answers to questions such as what explains the horrific human rights abuses that took place in Latin America during the Cold War, and how and why have patterns of human rights abuse changed since then, including after 9/11. It examines the role of the United States, international and national NGOs, and of other actors in the region's observance of political, socio-economic, indigenous, and women's rights. Meets with SIS-419/-018

U.S. Experiments in Peacebuilding (SIS-619-017) 

Since 1990 the U.S. government has played a central role in international efforts to resolve a number of international civil conflicts, with limited results. Relative success in Bosnia, Peru-Ecuador, and Liberia stand alongside Haiti, Darfur, Lebanon, and Iraq. This course explores the theories behind official U.S. peacebuilding and the range of mechanisms and programs deployed by U.S. government agencies, including the State and Defense Departments, USAID, and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Key questions are addressed including: is the U.S. an empire; does its sole superpower status hinder or enhance its peacebuilding role; why was stabilization and reconstruction initially ignored in Iraq; what lessons can be drawn from the American experience in Afghanistan; and what reforms are desirable? Prerequisite: completion of 70 credit hours. Meets with SIS-419-020

Human Rights (SIS-622) 

This course explains the main principles of international human rights law and provides a solid grounding in the main United Nations and regional systems for human rights protection and promotion. In addition, students are introduced to the methodology of human rights fact-finding, including interview techniques and planning investigations The course also considers the political, sociological, and ethical dimensions of human rights advocacy. Students consider the ways in which human rights address human society and how we treat one another, how authority is used, and issues of basic justice and fairness. Usually offered every fall.

Conflict in Africa (SIS-696) 

This course is a historical and analytical overview of conflict in Africa. The course begins with conflict in pre-colonial Africa and the advent of colonialism. The bulk of the course is concerned with an exploration of theories regarding the causes of conflict in Africa, ranging from the economic and social impact of colonialism, political culture, ethnic divisions, greed and grievance, etc. Two recent major conflicts in Africa are analyzed with respect to these theories. Finally, possibilities for peace in Africa are addressed.