PECOS2110 – International Negotiations/Conflict Resolution

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

As the world becomes more interconnected, states increasingly find themselves in relationships of interdependence where the welfare of each depends on the actions of all. International negotiation constitutes an important tool to peacefully manage such relationships of interdependence and to prevent or end violent conflict. But when do actors engage in negotiations to resolve their disputes and under what conditions do they succeed?

Taking the point of view of the practitioner of negotiations, this course gives you knowledge about the negotiators’ rationale for different types of strategies and tactics, how different types of strategies and tactics may generate different types of negotiation dynamics and which implications different types of dynamics may have for the negotiation outcome. The course also gives you insight in key approaches to deal with post-conflict challenges

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Having completed the course, students

  • Are familiar with key perspectives in negotiation theory
  • Can explain basic concepts characterizing a negotiation situation
  • Understand parties’ choice to negotiate and the strategies and tactics they employ in the negotiation process
  • Can give an account of main types of negotiation dynamics and reflect on how they are linked to negotiation parties’ choice of strategies and tactics
  • Are familiar with key post-conflict governance and power-sharing arrangements and understand the conditions under which they may promote peace

Skills

Having completed the course, students can apply

  • Basic analytic perspectives to negotiation dynamics and identify main causes of negotiation success and failure
  • Theoretical models to understand key types of negotiation behaviour
  • Information about a negotiation situation to write negotiation strategy and policy recommendations

Competences

Having completed the course, students have acquired

  • A general understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with negotiations
  • Insight into basic mechanisms that often cause negotiation failure and key conditions under which negotiations are likely to succeed.

Teaching

Online lectures and seminars.

Online teaching activities are not mandatory, but we advise you to follow them if possible. Recorded lectures will be made available on Canvas.

Examination

Written take home assignment on given topic, 2000-2500 words.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Bachelor
Teaching
Spring 2020
Examination
Spring 2020
Teaching language
English