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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
2016-2017 University Catalog

Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA


Banner Code: CA-BA-CONF

School/Department: School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution   

The world is becoming increasingly connected and the ability to create and maintain cross-cultural connections is more important than ever. As the effects of violence and conflict are felt throughout the global community, we are seeing more and more opportunities for collaboration, problem solving, and peacebuilding in local communities and across international barriers. To prepare our students to make cross-cultural connections, Bachelor’s of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Resolution students must demonstrate intermediate level proficiency in a foreign language.

All conflict analysis and resolution majors choose an area of concentration. There are six concentrations:

  • Building Peace in Divided Societies
  • Global Engagement
  • Political and Social Action
  • Justice and Reconciliation
  • Interpersonal Dynamics
  • Collaborative Leadership

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees as stated in Academic Policies  including all Mason Core  requirements.  Students majoring in Conflict Analysis and Resolution must also complete the college-level requirements for foreign language proficiency as well as 51 major requirement credits for the BA degree.

Students pursuing a double major/degree with a program outside of the S-CAR undergraduate program will be expected to fulfill all of the Mason Core  and college requirements necessary to complete the second major. Please check with the second major department concerning additional requirements.

This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to the accelerated master’s degree program.  See Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA or BS/Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Accelerated MS  for specific requirements.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

All Mason students are required to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their major at the 300-level or above. CONF 302  has been designated “writing intensive.”

Major Coursework Grade Requirement

Students cannot use more than 12 credits of coursework within the major with a C- or D grade to count towards the Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA. If a student receives C- or D grades in excess of the allowed number, they may retake courses to meet the major coursework grade requirement for graduation. Students taking a graduate course for undergraduate credit must achieve a grade of B- or higher for graduate course credits to count towards their undergraduate degree.

Physical Education Courses

PHED, PRLS, and RECR courses offered by the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism that are activity courses cannot be counted toward the 120 credits required for a degree in S-CAR. Students may use non-activity PHED, PRLS, and RECR courses for elective credit for S-CAR degrees.

Advising

School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution advisors help students create an interdisciplinary course of study that meets their interests and career goals. All majors are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with an academic advisor from the School who will help students develop and follow a coherent plan of study and complete the degree in a timely manner.

Degree Requirements


Field experience (3 credits)


Students can choose to fulfill this requirement through an internship, service learning, study abroad, or independent study.

Students may not be approved for field experience until they have earned at least 30 credits. It is recommended that students complete at least nine credits of conflict coursework before applying for field experience credit. Prior approval by the Director of Field Experience is required for students to receive credit through any field experience options. Students interested in trips with S-CAR can find information at scar.gmu.edu/field-experience. Students interested in study abroad through the Center for Global Education can find information at globaled.gmu.edu. Please contact an S-CAR advisor with questions or for information on the opportunities, policies, and procedures for field experience credit.  

Students take a minimum of three credits from the following:

Skills and Practice (3 credits)


This three credit requirement can be fulfilled by taking (1) an additional 3 credits of field experience selected from the courses above, (2) a foreign language course at the 250 level or higher, or (3) one of the 3 credit courses or three of the 1 credit courses listed below.

Foreign Language Proficiency (0-12 credits)


Students must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language. This requirement may be fulfilled by successfully completing a course in a foreign language course numbered 202, 209, or 210 (or higher level courses taught in the language) or achieving a satisfactory score on a university approved foreign language proficiency test. Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.

Concentration courses (18 credits)


There are six concentrations: Building Peace in Divided Societies, Global Engagement, Political and Social Action, Justice and Reconciliation, Interpersonal Dynamics, and Collaborative Leadership. To fulfill the concentration requirement students select six concentration courses. Four of those six courses must be taken from within their chosen concentration. The remaining two concentration courses may be taken from any of the concentration course lists. Special topics courses relevant to the concentration and/or courses that provide regional expertise can be substituted with departmental approval. Students are encouraged to check special topics courses each semester and think creatively about the applicability of courses that support learning in their chosen concentration. At least two of the six concentration courses must be CONF courses.  Courses may not double count for the concentration requirement and the skills and practice requirement.

▲ Concentration in Building Peace in Divided Societies (BPDS)


Focuses on how divided societies with a history of conflict seek to transform relationships and situations of violence and injustice. Examines communities and societies that have experienced conflict and how individuals and groups build peace locally and globally.

Students choose at least four of their six concentration courses from the following:

▲ Concentration in Global Engagement (GLBE)


Focuses on studying the dynamics and impact of global conflict resolution.  Examines domestic and international dimensions of security, state-to-state conflict, internal wars, terrorism, migration, negotiation, and diplomacy. Explores what can be done to reduce violent conflict and increase peace and security.

Students choose at least four of their six concentration courses from the following:

▲ Concentration in Political and Social Action (PSA)


Focuses on the ways that people organize themselves to effect change in their societies. This concentration explores social action, social organization, social movements, and civil resistance to analyze and investigate the role of constructive conflict.

Students choose at least four of their six concentration courses from the following:

▲ Concentration in Justice and Reconciliation (JRCN)


Focuses on the-relationships between human rights, justice, and conflict resolution. Encompasses a spectrum of coursework including legal dimensions of human rights, trauma, memory, healing, conflict transformation, and forms of restorative justice. 

Students choose four of their six concentration courses from the following:

▲ Concentration in Interpersonal Dynamics (INTD)


Focuses on the dynamics of social interaction that lead to interpersonal conflict and the processes and skills that support the transformation of these conflicts. Issues examined include intercultural communication, psychology of groups, family relationships, and other dimensions of human relations.

Students choose four of their six concentration courses from the following:

▲ Concentration in Collaborative Leadership (CLDR)


Focuses on improving the capacity of leaders to work with conflict and manage change. Includes topics in conflict transformation, mediation, dialogue, and organizational leadership.

Students choose four of their six concentration courses from the following:

▲Individualized Concentration (IND)


Students interested in creating their own concentration can work with an advisor to decide upon a set of at least six courses that form a cohesive theme and will fulfill the requirements of the BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Individualized concentrations must be approved by the Director of the Undergraduate Program

Mason Core (40 credits)


Note: some Mason Core  requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above.  Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core  requirements.

Expand each item below for a link to specific course lists for each category.

Electives


Remaining credits needed to bring the degree total to 120 may be fulfilled with general elective courses.  PHED and PRLS activity courses cannot be counted toward elective credits required for a degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Total: 120 credits