Peace & Conflict Resolution

Certificate Program Director: Marc Pilisuk, Ph.D.

In a historically troubled world peace doesn's happen by accident - it takes the effort of many people working together to resolve deep-rooted conflicts.

Overview

The past century left a legacy of violent international conflict, genocidal wars, massive casualties among civilians and soldiers, the dislocation of people, and the usurpation of resources for destruction. The new century has so far continued that destructive force and the danger of destroying all life as we know it. Conflicts may be inevitable and may sometimes be a force for constructive change, but only if we are able to understand and to affect the causes of violence and the potential of non-violent efforts for resolving them.

Many of the founders of humanistic psychology and, indeed, many of the Saybrook faculty have recognized the futility of seeking fulfillment of human potential without attending to the destructive forces that preclude its development and what we can do to build a culture of peace. This certificate is designed to provide information and skills for individuals seeking an understanding of issues related to peace and conflict and who wish to work in international settings for peace building, conflict resolution, and assistance to victims of violence and displacement. This certificate provides the learner with the social science knowledge about violent conflict and about the requirements for peace. It introduces some of the practical skills needed to be effective in conflict resolution and to be a peace practitioner.

Certificate Description

The Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies certificate at Saybrook requires 16 credits of coursework. Required Courses: STR 6590, 6550, STR 7085, and one approved elective.

The certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution consists of four three-credit courses. Students must also complete a practicum demonstrating applied work in the field. This may be accomplished either as a free-standing three-credit practicum in Peace and Conflict studies, or within the requirements of an additional course that includes supervised practical experience in peace-related activities or in conflict resolution.

The certificate must conclude with a one-credit certificate integrative seminar including a capstone paper integrating the work completed for the certificate. Course substitutions must be agreed upon in advance with the certificate coordinator.

Practicum

A practicum equivalent to one month of full-time effort is required. While each learner is responsible for creating his or her own practicum, the Saybrook faculty members are available to provide ideas and guidance. The practicum must be directly involved with enhancing peace and conflict resolution.

Integrative Paper or Project

The final activity in the certificate program is the writing of a culminating paper that integrates and advances the learning gained from the four courses and the practicum.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this certificate, students will:

• Understand the breadth and depth of contemporary global challenges to a world at peace
• Be able to evaluate existing theories and models of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation
• Be able to work with some of the tools, techniques, and practices now available to peace practitioners
• Be more skilled and knowledgeable about one or more areas of practical application, such as teaching about peace, promoting non-violent resolutions of conflict, and assisting those who have been displaced or otherwise harmed by war
• Appreciate the cultural, ethical, political, economic and psychological aspects of violent conflict and of its alternatives

Learning/Teaching Approach

The student may complete the Peace and Conflict Resolution certificate in a cohort of learners who work together on the various aspects of the certificate (if there are several signing up for the certificate at the same time) or in an independent study format.

Cohort Format

LLearners in the cohort format complete the two core courses together in a virtual classroom, web-based approach. For each core course, this entails reading the assigned texts, spending an hour a week online adding to the cohort conversation, and writing and posting a minimum of one paper on which other cohort members' comment.

Independent Study Format

Learners in the independent study format download a syllabus, complete the assigned reading, and write three essays for each course.

All learners in the certificate are welcome to attend a seminar at a Saybrook Residential Conference dealing with a topic related to the certificate. This provides an opportunity to meet in smaller groups with faculty members and students who share similar interests. Such participation is not, however, a requirement for the certificate.

The next section of the certificate, the practicum, is planned with a faculty advisor. The practicum is tailored to the professional needs of the student. For example, the practicum may involve hands-on training and practice in skills of conflict resolution with a group specialized in such training. It may also include work with a governmental or NGO agency providing assistance in peace-building projects or refugee assistance, or it may focus upon projects of cross-cultural communication or in peace education.

The final part of the certificate is an integrative paper. Its purpose is to give the learner an opportunity to draw together the most important aspects of the four courses and the practicum experience, to assess strengths and identify further learning needs, and to develop a specific plan for continuing personal and professional development in the area of promoting a peaceful world.

The Value of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies

Making the transition from a world beset by violent conflict requires the informed concern of many people. Their immediate concern may be in helping the soldier or the civilians who have been seriously harmed by war. They may work on peace brigades or conflict resolution activities that help to prevent violent outbreaks. They work in peace education to teach the skills for non-violent resolution of conflicts and to build cultures of peace. They work also to inform people about the costs and dangers of war and of weapons development and the alternatives for peacekeeping without violence. They also work on projects for economic and social justice, which address the root causes of violence.

Professionals with specialized training in peace and conflict resolution might hold the following jobs: executive director of a non-profit organization providing non-violent action for peace, cultural exchange, or assistance to those victimized by war; mediator for inter-group and inter-ethnic conflicts; consultant on alternatives to violence in schools and communities; pastor, counselor; or psychotherapist for individuals or groups who have been harmed or displaced by violent conflict; organizer of creative art projects for the expression of the human desire for peace; teacher or researcher of the political, economic, and psychological causes of war.