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Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution
FacultyAvruch, Blechman, Cheldelin, Cobb (director), Druckman, Jeong, LeBaron, Lyons, Mitchell, Pearson d'Estree, Rubenstein, Sandole, Warfield Other FacultyAssefa, Black, Brown, Gortner, Katz, McFerson, Paden, Scimecca, Stone, Taylor, Wilkins Administrative FacultyDrake Course WorkThe Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) offers all course work designated CONF in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog. Graduate ProgramsConflict Analysis and Resolution, M.S.The Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, offered by the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, is a two-year professional program that prepares students for practice by integrating conflict analysis and resolution theory, research, and practice. Students study the theory, methods, and ethical perspectives of the field and In addition to meeting all admission requirements for graduate study, an applicant to the M.S. program must submit the following: 1. All undergraduate and graduate transcripts 2. Three letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a faculty member in the applicant's undergraduate or graduate major field 3. A four- to five-page essay stating the applicant's goals and reasons for seeking admission to the program The GRE is not required. Background courses in the social sciences, as well as prior work experience, are desirable. Prior graduate academic work is evaluated on an individual basis for possible transfer credit and fulfillment of program requirements; normally, the university does not permit any reduction in the total credits required for the degree. Although students may enroll on a full- or part-time basis, entry into the program is in the fall semester only. A total of 41 credits is required: 15 credits are required core courses, 15 credits are selectives (students can choose from a defined list), and 11 credits are electives (students may choose appropriate graduate courses that expand their education relevant to their areas of interest). The choice of electives can vary significantly according to each student's individual goals or needs. Therefore, each student should develop a program of study that should be discussed once each semester with his/her advisor and updated as appropriate. Required Courses Students take 15 credits of required course work. These courses are usually offered in the fall semester:
Usually offered in the spring semester:
Selective Courses Students must select at least two courses (six credits) from the following list:
Students must complete two courses (six credits) of integrative work:
Elective Courses Students must complete 11 credits of relevant elective course work. ICAR supports three primary areas of study: 1. 72X series: Courses numbered 72X focus on conflict related to diversity, cultural, and regional issues. 2. 73X series: Courses numbered 73X focus on aspects of structural or institutional conflict. 3. 74X series: Courses numbered 74X focus on practice and application of conflict analysis and resolution to various situations. Once students have taken CONF 720, 730, or 740, they may construct plans of study that cross these emphases and may choose approved graduate courses from related disciplines. CONF 695 and CONF 795 may be repeated for credit as electives. Courses not used in the selective blocks may be used as electives. Directed Readings Only two directed readings (CONF 697) may be applied toward requirements for a master's degree. Internship. The internship is intended to provide students with opportunities to use and further develop applied conflict resolution skills; integrate theory and practice of conflict analysis and resolution; apply theory through practice; and network with professionals in the field to enhance employment opportunities. Experience does not necessarily have to be explicitly "hands on": interns need not actually be intervenors, because such opportunities may not be readily available; rather, the goal is to get as close to analysis and resolution practice as possible. It is George Mason policy that internships for which academic credit is received cannot be paid. Students taking CONF 694 are required to register and pay for three credits of CONF 694 during Summer Term. Internships consist of at least 160 hours of supervised work on a project involving the analysis and/or resolution of conflict. Such work must be spelled out in a Memorandum of Agreement to be signed by the student, the site supervisor, and the internship coordinator, Dr. Dennis Sandole, before the internship begins. At the conclusion of the internship, the student must submit a 25- to 40-page paper on the experience, analyzing it in light of conflict and conflict resolution theories. In effect, the internship is an opportunity to apply theory or to test models, hypotheses, or processes; the internship paper is an opportunity to integrate the field experience with corresponding theory and research in the field. Also, upon completion of the internship, the site supervisor submits to Dr. Sandole a report describing what the intern did, how well he/she did it, and a grade for the student's work. Students are encouraged to arrange their own internships; however, Dr. Sandole is available to discuss internship possibilities and requirements. Additionally, an internship binder is kept in the Student Resource Room. Students are also encouraged to contact ICAR alumni for internship possibilities. Students meet with Dr. Sandole as required. APT. The Applied Practice and Theory (APT) program is a six-credit course running yearlong. It is designed to take the concepts presented in class and practiced in labs into real situations with conflict and consequences. Students work in teams integrating research and practice with theory development and applied ethics. Certificate in Conflict Resolution for Health ProfessionalsICAR jointly offers a certificate program for health professionals. For more information, see the "College of Nursing and Health Science" chapter. Introductory Courses for Non-Majors Introductory courses in conflict studies for non-majors will also be offered each semester on the Arlington Campus. Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Ph.D.The doctoral program, the first of its kind in the United States, provides advanced study for students in the fields of conflict and conflict resolution. Students are prepared for careers as researchers, theoreticians, and teachers in higher education, and as policy administrators, analysts, and consultants in both the public and private sectors. The program stresses a close link between knowledge of theory and of process in the resolution of conflict. For this, training in the methods of research and analysis is necessary and is emphasized. In addition, students are expected to obtain a background in a substantive area of conflict, usually related to the topic of the dissertation. In addition to the three requirements listed for applicants to the M.S. program, requirements for the Ph.D. program include a written sample of work that shows the applicant's potential for completing dissertation research in a doctoral program. Although students may enroll on a full- or part-time basis, entry into the program is in the fall semester only. For students with a master's degree, a total of 57 credits is required. The semester in which courses are usually offered is indicated in parentheses.
Selective Courses Students must take two (six credits) of the following:
Elective Courses A total of 15 credits of electives from among any appropriate graduate courses is required, provided that one is in the diversity, cultural, and regional area of study (72X series), one is in the structural or institutional conflict area of study (73X series), and one is in the conflict analysis and resolution area of study (74X series). The intent is for students to build an area of study and skills that will be needed in their dissertation work. These courses are to be completed before comprehensive exams.
Directed Readings Only two directed readings (CONF 897) may normally be applied toward doctoral elective requirements. Dissertation Units
* CONF 811 has a prerequisite, "demonstrated competence in social statistics." This means that the entering student may be required to take an advanced course in statistics, STAT 510 (fall) or STAT 550 (spring), before registering for CONF 811. Such a course is not, however, counted toward the total credits needed for the degree. ** All CONF 998 courses are graded In Progress (IP) until completion of the proposal. At that time an appropriate grade is issued. ***All CONF 999 courses are graded In Progress (IP) until the dissertation defense is successfully completed. At that time an appropriate grade is issued. Students with an M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University may apply up to 18 credits toward the doctoral degree. The actual number of applied credits is determined in consultation with the student's advisor and the program coordinator, after a review of courses taken. Students entering with an M.S. in a related field or a J.D. may apply up to 15 credits of electives. The actual number of applied credits is determined in consultation with the student's advisor and the program coordinator, after a review of courses taken. ENTERING THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM WITHOUT A MASTER'S DEGREE In some cases, students may be admitted to the doctoral program directly without completion of a relevant master's degree (in conflict analysis and resolution or a related field). Such students are required to take the following 15 additional hours of credit at the beginning of their doctoral course of study, including: CONF601, 720 or 730 or 740, and 799. Every doctoral student must show competence in a foreign language (that is, a language other than the native tongue), preferably before "comps." This requirement must be completed before beginning the dissertation. On no account are dissertations accepted without evidence of meeting this requirement. Overseas students may use English as their foreign language and the TOEFL examination as a demonstration of competency. The Department of Modern and Classical Languages has ruled that American Sign Language or computer languages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
George Mason University: 2001-2002 University Catalog: Catalog Index: Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||