College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Catalog 2016

229 process and introduces different models and related theoretical foundations. The integration of theory and practice will emphasize the various stages including identity framework, narrative, needs assessment, goal setting, and feedback, utilizing a relational and systems orientation. The course develops coaching skills, strategies, and knowledge, and uses a practice-based approach, including role- plays and case studies. MACS 6658 – Transformational Narratives Across cultures, people effectively communicate about their conflicts and issues through narratives. In any helping profession, it is effective to create useful change with a clear understanding of the strategies of transformational narratives. By understanding what creates change in stories, we can help people rewrite their own accounts in ways that redefine their possibilities. This course offers analyses of narratives from traditions of conflict resolution and other interdisciplinary perspectives, promoting the ability to re- frame, refocus, and creatively intervene in stories of a personal and social nature to open useful possibilities for people who carry stories of unresolved struggle. Offered Summer. MACS 6659 – Conflict and Peace Building in Africa This course examines conflict and peace building dynamics in the African continent. Its content includes a survey of contemporary macro-level conflicts in Africa and an examination of their historical and more immediate causes. Class participants will explore the causes and effects of such conflicts and investigate prospects for constructive transformation. Past and ongoing resolution and peace building efforts will be discussed, and class members will propose a peace building strategy for a case of their choice. MACS 6660 – Conflict Management in Groups: Overt and Covert Dynamics The purpose of this course is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be effective in groups with an emphasis on analyzing and managing overt and covert conflict. The course also examines issues of communication, leadership, power and authority in relation to group and interpersonal effectiveness. This course enables participants to cope with complex issues as they emerge in the natural life of small groups, large groups and organizations. Learning about group life is gained through direct experience in a temporary learning organization created in the course. The course is designed as a living laboratory where members can experience and explore group life as it occurs. MACS 6661 – Middle Eastern Conflict This graduate seminar explores the many different types of conflict found in the Middle East. It seeks to provide students with the analytical tools and skills required to explain the causes, understand the actors, and analyze and/or predict the outcomes of specific Middle Eastern conflicts. To meet these objectives we will evaluate broad types of Middle Eastern conflict such as religious, ethnic, and cultural, militarized conflicts, civil wars, and occupations. We will also evaluate Middle Eastern conflict negotiation, the Middle East peace process, why negotiation and peace has failed, and what needs to be done so that Middle East peace could be achieved. Finally, we will look at the future of Middle Eastern conflicts. MACS 6662 – Political Violence Political Violence is a graduate seminar that explores the many different types of political violence; specifically looking at revolutions, terrorism, and transitional- institutional political violence. This seminar examines a wide range of topics in order to provide the student with a deeper understanding of political violence. We will engage in a thoughtful and in-depth examination of the definitions, causes, and consequences of political violence, as well as consider the different means to countering political violence. MACS 6663 – Introduction to Peace Studies This graduate seminar explores theories of peace and war, as well as the promotion of peace. This seminar provides students with an in-depth understanding various depictions of peace, emphasizing the concepts of positive peace, social justice, and international development. Peace will be examined systemically, highlighting connections between the experience of peace at the personal, community, national, and international levels. Students will therefore also investigate the relationships that human nature and culture have with peace, war, and violence. In addition, the course will investigate how international bodies promote peace and mitigate the effects of war. Students will also examine the causes of war and just war theory. The field of peace studies will be outlined as well, including a brief history of the field. MACS 6664 – Restorative and Transitional Justice This graduate seminar explores the theory and practice of both restorative justice and transitional justice. This seminar provides students with an in-depth understanding of the theory upon which restorative justice and transitional justice practice rest. Various forms of practice, stemming from diverse practice settings, are also examined, including: victim- offender mediation, victim-offender dialogue in cases of severe violence, family group conferencing, peacemaking circles, and restorative justice practice in schools. The seminar offers students opportunities to role-play and practice restorative justice skills. Forms of transitional justice are also surveyed, particularly truth and reconciliation commissions and their work around the globe. MACS 6665 – Irish Social Conflict