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Major

Conflict Studies

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  • Program requirements
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A complementary major is taken in addition to a student’s main program. There is no direct admission in a complementary program; the choice is made after admission and registration in a bachelor program.

Compulsory Courses (30 units)

ECS2103 Negotiation
ECS2104 Mediation
ECS2111 Research Methods in Conflict Studies I
ECS2112 Research Methods in Conflict Studies II
ECS2191 Introduction to Conflict Studies
ECS2192 Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice
ECS2201 Political Conflicts and their Resolution
ECS2321 Listening and Interaction in Conflict Resolution
ECS3125 Peaceful Resolution of Violent Conflict
ECS3140 Gender Relations and Conflict

Optional Courses (12 units)

6 units from:
ECS3101 Introduction to Technical and Legal Aspects of Conflict Resolution
ECS3110 Internship I
ECS3123 Psychological Impacts of Conflicts
ECS3124 Conflict in Organizations
ECS3127 Group Processes and Conflicts
ECS3128 Consultation and Coaching in Conflicts
ECS3130 Special Topics in Conflict Studies
ECS3323 Dialogue

6 units from:
ECS4101 Causes of Conflict I: Biological and Psychological Approaches
ECS4102 Causes of Conflict II: Sociological and Rationalist Approaches
ECS4130 Advanced Topics in Conflict Studies
ECS4999 Advanced Internship in Conflict Resolution / Stage avancé en résolution de conflits

ECS 2103 - Negotiation

Concepts and foundations. Difference between mediation and negotiation. Case Studies. Ethical considerations. Role playing and practical exercises. Specificities of negotiation among ethnic and religious groups. A minimum of ten laboratory hours will be required in this course.

Prerequisite or concomitant: ECS2321.

ECS 2104 - Mediation

Concepts and foundations. Objectives of mediation, importance of third parties. Mediation and post-modernity. Ethical considerations. Role playing and practical exercises. Specificities of mediation among ethnic and religious groups. A minimum of ten laboratory hours will be required in this course.

Prerequisite: ECS2103.

ECS 2111 - Research Methods in Conflict Studies I

Introduction to the philosophy of science. Research Ethics. Development of research projects: questions, hypotheses, variables, data and analysis. Textual and qualitative research methods: bibliographic research, historical research, interviews, case studies, and observation. Problems related to the study of ethnic and religious conflicts.

Prerequisite or concomitant: ECS 2191.

ECS 2112 - Research Methods in Conflict Studies II

Preparation of comparative and quantitative research projects. Use of data sets, surveys and polls. Statistical analysis: correlation, regression analysis, trends, statistical inference. Examples taken from the study of ethnic and religious conflicts.

Prerequisite or concomitant: ECS 2191.

ECS 2191 - Introduction to Conflict Studies

A multidisciplinary introduction to research in the evolving field of peace and conflict studies, with emphasis on ethnic and religious conflict. Cases are drawn from local to global levels. Includes anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, political science, law, labour relations, theology, philosophy, gender studies and security studies.

ECS 2192 - Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice

This course consists of two components: (1) the examination of the variable linkages between inequality (economic, social, political), injustice, and violent conflict; and (2) the examination of efforts to create environments characterized by equality, equity, justice and peace.

ECS 2201 - Political Conflicts and their Resolution

Explorations of the political sources of conflict, including power and ideologies. Respective roles of the state, public institutions, parties, and interest groups in conflicts. Management and resolution of conflicts in different political regimes.

ECS 2202 - Causes and Dynamics of International Conflicts

Broad review of many international conflicts, their causes, and the factors that may contribute to their escalation. Roles of diverse international actors in the aggravation or the resolution of conflicts. Analysis of violent conflicts. Ethical and moral questions related to the use of violence.

Prerequisite: ECS2201.

ECS 2321 - Listening and Interaction in Conflict Resolution

Theory and practice of the listening skills crucial for participating in conflict resolution processes. Development of synthesis, reframing, and appropriate responses to difficult situations. Attention to non verbal communication, emotions, and communication styles. Exploration of some of cultural differences in communication. A minimum of ten laboratory hours will be required in this course.

ECS 3101 - Introduction to Technical and Legal Aspects of Conflict Resolution

Introduction to some concepts pertaining to the analysis and resolution of conflict: judicial norms, contracts, binding character of judicial decisions, judicial organization and structures, formal processes of mediation and negotiation. The course also includes consideration of some aspects of international law, as well as principles of conflict management in key fields areas such as labour, social services, etc.

Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192.

ECS 3123 - Psychological Impacts of Conflicts

A multidisciplinary examination of trauma: Disruption of responsive mechanisms. Decision making in crises. Contributing factors affecting the impact of trauma. Conflict and psychological transformation.

Prerequisites: PSY1101 and PSY1102 or IPA1121 and IPA1122.

ECS 3124 - Conflict in Organizations

Introduction to the resolution of conflicts related to labour relations and policy differences in large organizations, especially in the public sector, with emphasis on ethnic and religious conflict. Roles of employers, workers, unions, third parties, mediation mechanisms, arbitration, and administrative tribunals.

Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192.

ECS 3125 - Peaceful Resolution of Violent Conflict

This course compares and contrasts different approaches to the pacific resolution of violent conflict, such as peace building, peacemaking, and peace operations. Contribution of religions to peace building. An effort is made to understand when, why, and how such approaches are effective or ineffective for managing and resolving conflicts.

Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192.

ECS 3127 - Group Processes and Conflicts

Introduction to the intervention toward groups in order to manage and resolve conflicts. Study of group dynamics and underlying behaviours. Review of different approaches to group processes. Exploration of the requirements and abilities for the leadership and facilitation of groups. Case studies. Practical in-class exercises.

Prerequisites : ECS2103, ECS2104.

ECS 3128 - Consultation and Coaching in Conflicts

Initiation to personal support to people involved in conflicts. Presentation of various models of personal and group coaching. Development of some basic abilities in this kind of intervention (including self-awareness, emotional intelligence, active and empathic listening, communication, overcoming resistance, etc.) through simulations and exercises.

Prerequisites: ECS2103, ECS2104.

ECS 3130 - Special Topics in Conflict Studies

Prerequisites: ECS2191, ECS2192.

ECS 3140 - Gender Relations and Conflict

Social and philosophical theories of gender. Feminist theories of discrimination and power relations as they apply in conflict situations. Ethnic and religious factors in gender-related conflict issues. Constructive responses and social movements.

Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192. This course was previously ECS2125.

ECS 3323 - Dialogue

Examination of dialogue as a means of exploring hidden beliefs and the exchange of ideas between participants. Practical exercises that explore the use of dialogue as a means of resolving and transforming conflicts. Training in the use of structured dialogue in professional activities. Specificities of dialogue among ethnic and religious groups.

Prerequisite: ECS2321.

ECS 4101 - Causes of Conflict I: Biological and Psychological Approaches

Examination of the many possible causes of conflict and violence such as aggression, instinct, character traits, learned behaviours, socialization, personality disorders, group influences, mob behaviour, and perceptual issues.

Prerequisites: ECS 2111, ECS 2112, ECS 2192, PSY 1101 or IPA1121, PSY 1102 or IPA1122.

ECS 4102 - Causes of Conflict II: Sociological and Rationalist Approaches

Examination of the many factors affecting conflict and violence including social classes, unequal resource distribution, culture, religion, institutions, decision making. Introduction to game theory in conflict studies.

Prerequisites: ECS 2111, ECS 2112, ECS 2192, ECS2201.

ECS 4130 - Advanced Topics in Conflict Studies

In depth study of particular topics related to conflict studies.

Prerequisites: 51 university credits. Reserved for students registered in Conflict Studies.

ECS 4999 - Advanced Internship in Conflict Resolution

Internship in a reputed institution for a minimum of 150 working hours in conflict prevention, management or resolution. Graded S/NS.

Prerequisite: 24 ECS credits and a cumulative grade point average of B+.





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