OADI 2145 - Art of Peace: Mediation & Negotiation

***UPDATED for 2024/25***

This introductory policy and practice-oriented course will examine the art of peace: mediation and negotiation. Following an overview of the evolving conflict and peacemaking landscapes, the course will explore peacemaking approaches by different actors, including states, the United Nations and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local insider mediators. It will give students a basic understanding of a range of current mediation-related topics, including local mediation, power-sharing, environmental/climate, technology/cyber, gender/inclusion, ceasefires, DDR, transitional justice, etc. The course will also cover mediation and negotiation tools and skills (conflict and stakeholder analysis, process design, crisis management, communication protocols, etc.) which students will be expected to practice during a final scenario-based role-playing simulation over the last 3/4 sessions of class. The course will be particularly useful to students interested in working in international institutions, foreign ministries, think tanks, academia, NGOs, and the media. Readings will be available online. Additional readings and resources (newsletters, podcasts, films, etc.) will be added to reflect latest developments but are not mandatory.


Learning Outcomes

At the end of the class, students will be able to:

1. Better understand, analyze and discuss conflict and peace dynamics

2. Gain useful knowledge of various actors approaches to peacemaking, mediation and negotiation as conflict prevention and resolution tools

3. Discuss and apply their knowledge to specific country case studies, including successes and failures in peacemaking

4. Develop their mediation and negotiations skills through a practical role-playing mediation and negotiation simulation

5. Demonstrate analytical thinking and gain experience in writing policy briefs (in an international professional environment)

Professional Skills

1. Research, analysis and critical thinking

2. Oral and written communication skills (through oral presentations, debates, active participation and written assignments)

3. Working effectively in a team (through group presentations and case study)

Anne SAVEY,Arthur BOUTELLIS

Séminaire

English

- In Class Presence: 4 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Online learning activities: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 3-4 hours a week / 36-48 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 4 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 50 hours a semester

None.

Spring 2024-2025

The evaluation of students' performance will be based on three types of assessments:
- a written paper due at the end of the course, with a draft outline due on week 6 (60%),
- a 10-15 min oral presentation conducted in groups of two to three (30%),
- active class participation (10%).

Feedback will be provided throughout the class. During the timeframe of the class, thorough feedback will be provided to students by email, a few days after the oral presentation and a week after submission of the policy paper's draft outline. General feedback on the final paper and class participation will be provided by email a few weeks after the end of class. Students should feel free to ask for additional feedback, if and when needed.