Prospectus

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Negotiations and Mediation of Civil Wars

Course
2010-2011

Description

The aim of this course is to provide students with an in-depth analysis of key theoretical concepts in the study of international negotiations and international mediation and guide students to apply these concepts in interpreting specific cases of contemporary conflict management.
The course aims to improve students’ ability to analyze contemporary civil wars in order to better understand various causes of conflict, potential trigger mechanisms that lead to escalation of violence, issues at stake, relations between key stakeholders, and opportunities for managing the conflict through direct negotiations between conflicting sides or by third-party mediation.

Methods of Instruction

The course is seminar-based. The students are expected to participate actively in structured discussions on assigned readings for each class.

Study material

Literature consists of academic articles from referenced journals on particular theoretical aspects, accompanied with articles dealing with contemporary conflicts.

Detailed list of assigned readings: TBA

Examination

Students are required to prepare the readings and actively participate in each course. Students are also required to write three essays on assigned topics.

Schedule

Pieter de la Courtbuilding, Leiden:
Wednesday 2 February till 23 March, 11.00-13.00 hrs., in 1A09 (except 2 Feb, 9 Feb and 9 March: 5B04; 2 March: 1A21)