Course Offerings at BMC and Haverford
Students may complete a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies.Faculty
Marc Howard Ross, Political Science, Coordinator
Tamara Neuman, Visiting Assistant Professor (on leave semester I)
The goal of the Bi-College concentration is to present a range of social science theories and methods relevant to explaining human conflict and cooperation in settings ranging from local small communities to the international system.
Concentration Requirements
The concentration is composed of a six-course cluster centering around conflict and cooperation within and between nations. Of these six courses, no more than three may be in the student’s major. The peace and conflict studies concentration draws upon the long-standing interest in war, conflict and peacemaking, and social justice, as well as questions derived from work in the fields of anthropology, economics, history, political science, social psychology, and sociology. It draws on these fields for theoretical understandings of matters such as bargaining, social, economic, and political sources of conflict, cooperative and competitive strategies of negotiation, intergroup relations, social justice, human rights, post-conflict peacemaking, and the role of institutions in conflict management.
Students meet with the coordinator in the spring of their sophomore year to work out a plan for the concentration. All concentrators are required to take three core courses: the introductory course, POLS 111 (offered as ICPR 111 at Haverford); either POLS 206 or ANTH 322; and POLS 347. It is advised that concentrators complete at least two of these three courses by the end of their junior year.
Students are required to take three additional courses chosen in consultation with the coordinator, working out a plan that focuses this second half of their concentration regionally, conceptually, or around a particular substantive problem. These courses might include international conflict and resolution; ethnic conflict in general or in a specific region of the world (e.g., South Africa, the Middle East, Northern Ireland); a theoretical approach to the field, such as nonviolence, bargaining, or game theory; an applied problem, such as reducing violence among youth, minority-majority relations, the arts and peacemaking, community mediation, or post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Peace and conflict studies courses currently available at Bryn Mawr include:
ANTH B111/POLS B111 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
ANTH B200/HIST B200 The Atlantic World: Indians, Europeans, and Africans
ANTH B206/POLS B206 Conflict and Conflict Management: A Cross-cultural Approach
ANTH B235/POLS B235 Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Societies
ANTH B347/POLS B347 Advanced Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies: Utopias, Dystopias, and Peace
HIST B126 Immigration and Ethnicity
POLS B141 Introduction to International Politics
POLS B316 The Politics of Ethnic, Racial, and National Groups
POLS B358/PSYCH B358 The Political Psychology of Ethnic Conflict
Peace and conflict studies courses currently available at Haverford include:
ENGL H286 Arts of the Possible: Literature and Social Justice Movements
HIST H240 History and Principles of Quakerism
ICPR H111 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
ICPR H281 Violence and Public Health
ICPR H301 Human Rights: Development and International Activism
POLS H151 International Politics
POLS H235 African Politics
POLS H242 Women in War and Peace
POLS H256 The Evolution of the Jihadi Movement
POLS H357 Conflict in the Middle East
POLS H358 The War on Terrorism
SOCL H235 Class, Race, and Education
BMC Peace and Conflict Course Descriptions
ANTH B111/POLS B111 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
A broad and interdisciplinary overview of the study of conflict management. Areas to be introduced will include interpersonal conflict and conflict management, alternative dispute resolution and the law, community conflict and mediation, organizational, intergroup, and international conflict, and conflict management. This course will also serve as a foundation course for students in or considering the peace and conflict studies concentration. (Neuman, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B111)
ANTH B200/HIST B200 The Atlantic World: Indians, Europeans, and Africans
The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the way in which peoples, goods, and ideas from Africa, Europe. and the Americas came together to form an interconnected Atlantic World system. The course is designed to chart the manner in which an integrated system was created in the Americas in the early modern period, rather than to treat the history of the Atlantic World as nothing more than an expanded version of North American, Caribbean, or Latin American history. (Gallup-Diaz, Division I or III; cross-listed as ANTH B200)
ANTH B206/POLS B206 Conflict and Conflict Management: A Cross-culturalApproach
This course examines cross-cultural differences in the levels and forms of conflict and its management through a wide range of cases and alternative theoretical perspectives. Conflicts of interest range from the interpersonal to the international levels and an important question is the relevance of conflict and its management in small-scale societies as a way to understand political conflict and dispute settlement in the United States and modern industrial settings. Prerequisite: one course in political science, anthropology, or sociology. (Ross, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B206)
ANTH B235/POLS B235 Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Societies
This course explores the successes, challenges, and future of transitional justice, where post-conflict societies use formal institutions to address the legacy of political violence to build sustainable peace. Case studies of countries which have used a variety of approaches will help us consider concepts like human rights, justice, reconciliation and peace, and how these principles might be achieved through initiatives such as UN-directed tribunals, national courts, truth commissions and/or locally-based systems deriving from ritual or customary law. Prerequisite: One course in Anthropology, Political Science or Peace and Conflict Studies. (Doughty, Division I; cross-listed as POLS B235)
ANTH B347/POLS B347 Advanced Issues in Peace and Conflict Studies: Utopias, Dystopias, and Peace
An in-depth examination of crucial issues and particular cases of interest to advanced students in peace and conflict studies through common readings and student projects. Various important theories of conflict and conflict management are compared and students undertake semester-long field research. The second half of the semester focuses on student research topics with continued exploration of conflict-resolution theories and research methods. Prerequisite: POLS 206, 111, or Haverford’s POLS 247. (Neuman, Division I; cross-listed as ANTH B347)
HIST B126 Immigration and Ethnicity
POLS B141 Introduction to International Politics
How we understand the history of immigration to the territory now known as the United States has been transformed by recent explorations of the notions of “whiteness.” Framed by the ways this powerful lens has recast the meaning of ethnicity, we will focus on individual immigrant groups and the context which they entered and created from the 17th century to the present. (Shore, Division III) Not offered in 2008-9.
POLS B141 Introduction to International Politics
An introduction to international relations, exploring its main subdivisions and theoretical approaches. Phenomena and problems in world politics examined include systems of power management, imperialism, war, cold war, bargaining, and peace. Problems and institutions of international economy and international law are also addressed. This course assumes a reasonable knowledge of modern world history. Enrollment is limited to 35 students. (Allen, Division I)
POLS B316 The Politics of Ethnic, Racial, and National Groups
An analysis of ethnic and racial conflict and cooperation that will compare and contrast the experiences of regional and immigrant minorities in Europe. Particular attention is paid to the processes of group identification and political organization; the politicization of racial and ethnic identity; patterns of conflict and cooperation between minorities and the majority population over time; and different paths to citizenship. The course will examine the experiences of white ethnic groups, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans as well as Islamic, African, Asian, and regional national groups in Europe. (Ross, Division I)
POLS B358/PSYCH B358 The Political Psychology of Ethnic Conflict
This seminar will explore the common interests of psychologists and political scientists in the phenomena of group identification. The focus will be identification with ethnic and national groups, with special attention to the ways in which research on small-group dynamics can help us understand identification and conflict for these larger groups. The seminar will review major theories of group identity and examine several historical or current cases of successful and unsuccessful development of national identity. Prerequisite: PSYC 208 or two semesters of political science. (McCauley, Ross; cross-listed as POLS 258)
Haverford College Peace and Conflict Course Descriptions
ENGL H286 Arts of the Possible: Literature and Social Justice Movements
T.Tensuan
We will examine memoirs, essays, and poetry by American writer/activists whose works illuminate the formation of -- and tensions between -- civil rights struggles, peace movements, feminist organizing, and LGBT movements. Readings include Baldwin, Rukeyser, King, Rich, Malcolm X, Lorde, Moraga and Stringfellow. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)
HIST H240 History and Principles of Quakerism
E.Lapsansky
The development of Quakerism and its relationship to other religious movements and to political and social life, especially in America. The roots of the Society of Friends in 17th-century Britain, and the expansion of Quaker influences among Third World populations, particularly the Native American, Hispanic, east African, and Asian populations.
ICPR H111 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies
Staff
A broad overview of the study of conflict, peace and peace-building. Topics include: militarization, nuclearization, ethnic conflict, genocide, social movements, and non-violence, with special emphasis on understanding the historical and cultural contexts of conflicts and peacebuilding efforts. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)
ICPR H281 Violence and Public Health
ICPR H301 Human Rights: Development and International Activism
K.Edwards
An interdisciplinary seminar course analyzing the advantages and limitations of a public health perspective on violence. We will examine how every-day violence, direct political violence, and structural violence effect public health, as well as evidence that violence is preventable and amenable to public health strategies. Prerequisite: One of the following: ANTH 111, ICPR 221, or ICPR 222 Does not count toward the major.
ICPR H301 Human Rights: Development and International Activism
Staff
(Satisfies the social justice requirement.)
POLS H151 International Politics
B.Mendelsohn
An introduction to the major issues and trends in world politics, especially since World War II: realism and idealism, bi-polarity and multi-polarity, emergence of the Third World, role of force and diplomacy, the post-Cold War era, foreign policy-making, the United Nations, and humanitarian intervention.
POLS H235 African Politics
S.Wing
Analysis of political change in Africa from the colonial period to contemporary politics. Selected case studies will be used to address central themes including democracy, human rights, gender, interstate relations, economic development, and globalization. Prerequisite: A course in political science or consent of instructor. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)
POLS H242 Women in War and Peace
S.Wing
Analysis of the complex issues surrounding women as political actors and the ways in which citizenship relates to men and women differently. Selected cases from the United States, Africa, Latin America, and Asia are studied as we discuss gender, domestic politics, and international relations from a global perspective. Prerequisite: One course in political science or consent of instructor.
POLS H256 The Evolution of the Jihadi Movement
B.Mendelsohn
This course explores the evolution of the jihadi movement, focusing on its ideological development throughout the twentieth century, and the structural changes it has gone through since the jihad to drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan during the 1980s. Prerequisite: Political Science 131, 151, or 161 or consent of instructor.
POLS H357 Conflict in the Middle East
B.Mendelsohn
Conflicts in the Middle East since World War I. Cleavages are discussed that have contributed to the emergence of violent conflicts in the region and discusses particular conflicts. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor.
POLS H358 The War on Terrorism
B.Mendelsohn
Exposes students to the broad range of activities undertaken within the framework of the global war on terrorism and to enhance understanding of the diverse military and political challenges comprising this confrontation. The seminar surveys the multiple components of the war on terrorism and examines them through several relevant analytical prisms. The course also discusses the implications of the war on terrorism for foreign policy and international relations theory. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing, or consent of instructor
SOCL H235 Class, Race, and Education
M.Gould
An examination of the effects of class and race on educational and occupational outcomes, emphasizing the contemporary United States. (Satisfies the social justice requirement.)
