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Term Paper Assignment

Course Schedule & Assignments

NOTE: Information about all course assignments is posted on this page. This includes reading assignments, study questions, and structured term paper assignments and due dates.  These assignments may be revised somewhat over the course of the semester.   E.-mail updates will be sent out whenever revisions are made.  Do not work ahead more than one week without checking with your instructor.

Reading Assignments and Power Points

Note: All readings are due on the first day of week in which they are list week. While you won't be quizzed on the readings, you will get more out of the class acivities if you have done the readings on time, which does reflect in your participation grades as well as your "study question" grades. So please try to keep up!

Week 1
January 12, January 14
  • Theme: Why conflict is a "global warming-class" problem. Bush, Obama, change, and the true dawn of the 21st century.
  • Topics discussed and class activities: Introductions, course overview,  the conflict frontier challenges slideshow.
  • Conflict Challenge Slideshow: .PDF
  • Required Readings (Exception to rule: These are due Wed (or Thursday) of this week)
  • Study Questions 1-1:  What do you see as the nature of the "conflict challenge?"  What arguments do you think are likely to be most effective in persuading others to support efforts to seriously address the conflict challenge?
Week 2
January 21
  • Theme: The nature of conflict and conflict "resolution" knowledge. Conflict as an information problem.
  • Topics discussed and class activities:  History of conflict knowledge, rational and emotional approaches to conflict, circles of trust, cultures of peace
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Readings
    • Emotions and Conflict
    • Limits of Rationality
    • Ethos of Conflict
    • Ripeness
    • The Darfur Region of the Sudan
    • Jody Williams
    • Study Question 2-1: How is conflict behavior learned?  What mechanisms do you think are most effective in teaching people how to improve their conflict skills? 
    • Study Question 2-2: If conflict behavior isn't rational, how (and should) one try to get people involved in destructive conflicts to look at their situation rationally, weighing the costs vs. the benefits of their behavior? (Optional addition: You can also include material from class on January 28 and consider the advantages, if any, of "gut" level approaches to conflict.)
Week 3
January 26, January 28 Week 4
February 2, February 4
  • Theme: Things that go wrong -- a systems and pathology approach to conflict.
  • Study Question 4-1: 
  • Topics discussed and class activities: Complexity and complex systems, healthy conflict dynamics vs. pathological conflict dynamics; pathology set #1: misunderstandings, fact-finding difficulties, escalation, spoilers and tyrant wannabes, the Crane Brinton effect.
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings
  • Study Question 4-1:  Based on the above readings and lecture, what do you see as the nature of the "complexity problem?" What you see as the best strategy for dealing with this problem?
  • Study Question 4-2: What are the essential elements of escalation and related dynamics, why are they so destructive, and how can they be limited?
Week 5
February 9, February 11
  • Theme: Real-world conflict dynamics
  • Topics discussed and class activities: The Boulder Comprehensive Plan Game, the Fire Next Time
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Study Questions Due February 10 (8AM)
  • No new readings or study questions this week. Work on your paper for next week.
Week 6
February 16, February 18
  • Theme:  Serious conflict threats
  • Topics discussed and class activities:  Continuation of Fire Next Time, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, failed states, deeply divided societies and civil war, economic mega-worries
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings
  • Study Question 6-1:  Based on the above readings, what are the principal factors that lead governments to fail to protect their citizens? What can be done to limit these problems? Who should be responsible for taking corrective action? (350 words)
  • Study Question 6-2:  Based primarily on lectures, what are the real threats associated with weapons of mass destruction and what steps should be taken limit those threats? (150 words)
  • Paper #1  Due February 17 (8AM)

Week 7
February 23-24, February 25-26
  • NO CLASS February 23rd -- Instructor family health emergency
  • Theme: Continuation of failed states material from last week. Beginning of a large section on solutions to conflict problems starting with the moral imagination. The discussion of small-scale interpersonal disputes and the Stop Fighting system will be delayed until next week.
  • Topics discussed and class activities:  Moral Imagination, "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" speech; 
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings
    • We will now begin focusing on solutions to conflict problems. The first step will be to examine strategies for dealing with small scale interpersonal conflict problems. For this week I would like to use the Stop Fighting Tutorial http://stop-fighting.crinfo.org/ to figure out how you would handle it interpersonal dispute with which you're familiar. (See study question below.) I would also like you to read the following shorter articles which provide additional information on strategies for dealing with interpersonal disputes.
    • Interpersonal Communication
    • Apology and Forgiveness
    • I-messages
    • Empatthic Listening
  • Study Question 7-1: To make up for the additional work associated with the Moral Imagination materials (see Study Questions 7-2) I expect you to delay half of the work on the study questions until next week. For this week's study question, I would like to do something different. Start by picking a personal conflict with which you are quite familiar. (You could either be directly involved or you could be a bystander. You should also feel free to change the names and circumstances for privacy purposes.) Based on the Stop Fighting tutorial http://stop-fighting.crinfo.org/, I want you to describe how you would recommend the parties handle the dispute. (500 words)
  • Study Question 7-2: NEW February 22.  Based upon the Lederach speech and Wednesday's class activities what do you see as the essential elements of the "moral imagination?"  In the spirit of the moral imagination, can you imagine something that someone might do to more constructively address the difficult conflict of your choosing?  (250 words)

Week 8
March 2-3, March 4-5
  • Theme: Principled Negotiation and a Primer on Mediation
  • Topics discussed and class activities:  Failed States How to stop fighting -- strategies for better handling your own interpersonal conflicts. Negotiation, BATNA, consensus building, third-party interventions (mediation, facilitation, arbitration, etc.)
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings
  • Study Questions 8-1 --  What are the key elements of interest-based approaches to disputes? What would you say are the benefits and shortcomings of this approach? (500 words extending into next week).
Week 9
March 9-10, March 11-12
  • Theme: Large-scale, complexity-oriented peacebuilding, the "third side,"
  • Topics discussed and class activities: Consensus building; third side; third sider or negotiation / consensus exercise.
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings
  • Study Question 9-1: Consider the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or another ver complex and difficult conflict you know more about. Explain how each third-side role could be helpful in this situation. If you think one wouldn't be helpful or needed, explain why. (350 words)
Week 10
March 16-17, March 18-19
  • Theme: 
  • Topics discussed and class activities:  Mari Fitzduff / peace movement vs. peace workers exercise; truth, justice, peace, and mercy exercise.
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Readings
  • Study Question 10-1: Based on class activities and readings how would you respond to the following question: In cases where conflicts  revolve around extreme individuals and groups that have committed terrible crimes, how would you balance the often competing goals of truth, justice, peace, and mercy? (250 Words) 
  • Study Questions Weeks 6, 7, 8, 9 Only Due March 18 -  8AM
Spring Break -- March 23-26

Week 11
March 30-31, April 1-2
  • Theme: Understanding the military--transforming an adversary into a partner
  • Topics discussed and class activities: NAFTA Blockade Game; DoD Directive 3000.05, the firm power, SSTR,  Truman military 101, patriotism, 3-D security
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings
    • No readings this week. Work on your paper.
  • Paper #2 Due April 1 - 8AM
Week 12
April 6-7, April 8-9
  • Theme: Continuation of understanding the military; non-violence
  • Topics discussed and class activities: Continuation of Week 11 activities; nonviolent protest (what works, what doesn't).
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings: 
  • Study Question 12-1: Why do people join the armed forces and engage in military combat? To what extent is this desirable? Undesirable? Would you? Why or why not? (250 Words) 
  • Study Question 12-2: Based on class activities and, especially, readings, why do you think that liberals/progressives are generally not trusted on national security issues by the larger society?  To what extent is this mistrust based on misunderstandings of liberal policies? To what extent is this mistrust based on the inability of liberal policies to defend against real national security threats? (250 Words)
Week 13
April 13-14, April 15-16
  • Theme: Conflict and peace building contributions to the big policy debates: Iraq, Afghanistan? 
  • Topics discussed and class activities: complex operations, very large-scale peacebuilding game, AFRICOM, Afghanistan video
  • Slides: .PDF
  • Readings:
  • Study Question 13-1:  Under what circumstances are specific types of nonviolent protest likely to be helpful? Useless? Counterproductive?  (250 Words)
Week 14
April 20-21, April 22-23
  • Theme:  Loose ends,
  • Topics discussed and class activities:  Non-violence, peace songs,  culture,  political manipulation of psychological images of war and peace.
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings: 
  • Study Question 14-1:  In what ways must approaches to conflict be modified when multiple cultures are involved? (250 words)
  • Study Question 14-2:  What five governmental and nongovernmental organizations (or types of organizations) you think are making the strongest contribution to the peace building efforts? Why? (250 words)
Week 15
April 27-28, April 29-30
  • Theme: Summing up, making personal make-a-difference decisions.
  • Topics discussed and class activities: Conflict careers, education, training, and internship paths, 
  • Slides 1: .PDF
  • Slides 2: .PDF
  • Readings: No new readings this week, work on your final paper.
  • Study Question: No new study questions this week, work on your final paper.

NO Final Exam -- Final Paper and Study Questions Due by E-Mail May 7

Structured Term Paper I: Conflict Mapping

  • See Due Date in Schedule Above
  • All papers should be sent to crc@spot.colorado.edu and should include PACS2500 Term Paper #1 in the subject line.
  • If, for any reason, you are not able to hand this paper in on time please contact me before the paper is due about making alternative arrangements.
  • More information about this assignment has been provided in class. Contact the instructor if you have questions.
  • The focus of the paper should be on  a society-wide conflict of your choice (You will probably want to focus on the same conflict for Papers II and III, so pick something that you are interested in.)
  • Target length approximately 2000 words
  • Essay test style (light wordsmithing)
  • Goal: demonstrate understanding of class concepts
  • At least 15 citations (50% class / 50% readings) -- Use numbered footnotes in text with listing at the end of the assignment -- Informal footnote style is OK just so I can understand what you mean. Cite all direct quotes!
  • Use section headings
  • Include the following sections:
    • Description of your primary conflict -- Note: this is not a social issue report!
    • Description of the primary dispute episode on which you are focusing (should be at an intense stage)
    • Description of related conflicts / disputes (maybe coalition, proxy, or subsidiary conflicts)
    • Description of the important parties and their goals and interests (consider both grassroots citizens and leaders)
    • Description of destructive conflict dynamics (pathologies) that are making it difficult to address the core issues
    • Description (in principle) of any opportunities for resolving the core issues and a mutually acceptable way that may exist

Structured Term Paper II

  • See Schedule above for due date
  • Development of a complex peacebuilding (or society-wide conflict handling) operation plan that identifies a range of specific intervention projects.
  • For this paper, develop and describe (in broad overview form) a complex peacebuilding (or society-wide conflict handling) operation plan.
  • You paper should consist of summary profiles of at least eight specific projects.
  • Target length approximately 2000 words
  • Essay test style (light wordsmithing)
  • Goal: demonstrate understanding of class concepts
  • At least 15 citations (50% class / 50% readings)
  • Use section headings
  • Sample project write-up
    • Project Title: Sierra Leone Independent Radio Network
    • Conflict: Sierra Leone Civil War
    • Conflict Stage: Post-Conflict Recovery
    • Project Goal: Dramatic strengthening of an independent news network that is widely accessible and provides full coverage of local issues.
    • Theory of Change: In a poor society with high illiteracy rates people cannot read and cannot afford newspapers. Cheap portable radios are, however, widely available and widely understood. They are the most effective form of mass media in the country. Low power AM transmitters are also inexpensive and easy to operate. Local community leaders can easily be trained to operate these systems and serve as critically needed independent reporters. An effective, "free press" is an essential element of democratization efforts and efforts to strengthen the civil society institutions that provide an alternative to authoritarian rule.
    • Objectives: We are asking European and American foundations interested in promoting democracy in Africa to provide the funds needed to hire and train 400 reporters from Sierra Leone. We are also asking for funds to purchase and operate a network of 15 low-power AM radio stations. This will include transmitting equipment; power generators; easy-to-use, computer-based sound editing equipment; and digital recorders for reporters to take into the field. Project costs will be minimized by using people from Sierra Leone to fill as many project roles as possible.
    • Sources: Something close to this basic approach was used successfully in Rwanda (INSERT URL or REFERENCE). In this case we would be adapting the idea by adding the following features: BRIEFLY DESCRIBE ANY ADAPTATIONS.
  • Examples of types of projects you may want to include
    • Mutual understanding / stereotype breaking projects
    • Crisis anticipation and response
    • Humanitarian rescue (refugee assistance)
    • Directed sanctions against human rights violators
    • Back channel negotiations
    • Disarmament programs
    • Reintegration of soldiers
    • Economic revitalization
    • Democratization
    • Defense of against terror and intimidation
    • Defense against large scale military and paramilitary action
    • Transitional justice including truth and reconciliation commissions or war crimes tribunals
    • Leadership level negotiations
    • Civil disobedience and non-violent direct action
    • Disarming actions

The Assignment for Papers III Subject to Revision 

Structured Term Paper III

  • Due May 7 NO EXTENSIONS!!!
  • More information about this assignment will be provided in class. Contact the instructor if you have questions.
  • For this paper, describe, in detail, a specific project that could be undertaken improve the way in which a particular large-scale conflict is being handled. Possibilities include, for example:
    • Crisis response teams
    • Truth commisions
    • Multi-party consensus building efforts
    • Peacekeeping operations
    • Refugee repatriation programs
    • Conscientious Objector support programs
  • Target length approximately 2000 words
  • Essay test style (light wordsmithing)
  • Goal: demonstrate understanding of class concepts
  • At least 15 citations (50% class / 50% readings) -- Use numbered footnotes in text with listing at the end of the assignment -- Informal footnote style is OK just so I can understand what you mean. Cite all direct quotes!
  • Use section headings
  • Include the following sections:
    • Description of the conflict and dispute you are addressing
    • Description of the intervention that you are proposing (which may be based on the account of an actual intervention).
    • Description of your theory(s) of change) -- why do you think this will work in your particular situation. (Focus on particular conflict problems and pathologies.)
    • Focus on as many conflict problems as possible (at least 5) and your strategy for overcoming them. For example:
      • Cultural misunderstandings
      • Escalation
      • Unrightable wrongs


Peace and Conflict Studies
Guy Burgess -- burgess@colorado.edu -- 303-492-1635