In this course you’ve been asked to deepen your knowledge of conflict theories, frameworks and models (i.e., social identity theory, human needs theory, social movement theory,

This is a conflict resolution class.
Introduction
In this course you’ve been asked to deepen your knowledge of conflict theories, frameworks and models (i.e., social identity theory, human needs theory, social movement theory, structural violence and so forth), explore three contexts of practice (international/civil war, organizational, and community/local), and practice your analytical, critical thinking and writing skills in assignments such as the literature assessment & critique activities, the case analysis and the scenario planning exercise. In this final assignment you are asked to synthesize and integrate your learning. You are asked to draw on the skills, tools and knowledge you’ve developed in this course and the program to research and frame an issue, conduct an analysis, identify opportunities to shift the conflict dynamics, and identify implications of action. As a final paper, your work covers all of the learning objectives.
Paper Formatting
Please prepare your paper using APA formatting: double spacing, Times New Roman Font, one-inch margins, in-text citations, reference list, cover page and abstract. Body of report should be 10 – 12 pages. Cover page, figures and tables, and references may add additional pages for a paper of more than the 10 – 12 pages noted. Please include page numbers.
Please submit no later than Wednesday, April 13, 11:59 pm, (EDT). This is a firm deadline.
Details
Choose Your Topic Area and Topic
For this final analysis paper, please select from one of the three broad topic areas below. International Affairs/Civil Wars
Suggested topics. Please go to the UCDP database (https://www.ucdp.uu.se/) (Links to an external site.) and choose a conflict from Yemen, Nicaragua or Darfur (Sudan). Choose one aspect of the conflict to investigate. (Note: if you Sudan/Darfur for your Scenario Planning Assignment, please be sure to address a different aspect of the conflict.) Please do not cover the entire conflict spectrum. As in your capstone project, narrowing the focus will make your project manageable and feasible.
Organizational
Suggested topics. Well known organizations have come under the spotlight for their lack of diversity and/or issues related to reports of sexual harassment not being addressed. The Google employee walkout on November 1, 2018 (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/technology/google-walkout-sexual-harassment.html) and Susan Fowler’s open letter (https://www.susanjfowler.com/blog/2017/2/19/reflecting-on-one-very-strange-year-at-uber.) about her year at Uber are two examples among many. Research and analyze one organization (one of these listed or one of your choice) to explore diversity related dynamics and processes and to identify opportunities for intervention. Please be sure to use a conflict resolution lens in your analysis.
Alternate topics. If you would like to research/analyze another conflict within the Organizational context, prior approval is required. Please submit your topic to the instructor no later than Sunday, March 29, 11:59pm for consideration. Community/Local Context
If you would like to research/analyze a conflict in a community/local context, topic approval is required. Please submit your topic to the instructor no later than Sunday, March 29, 11:59pm for consideration. Identify your role and perspective
As you did for the scenario planning exercise, assume you are working for an organization who has engaged you to explore a conflict. Please be explicit about your role and the work you are doing as well as the type of organization you work for. This will aid in anchoring your perspective and provide focus. For example, have you been engaged by an international peace NGO working in country or are you part of the UN or a national department of state? Or for an organizational context, are you internal to the organization or an external third party who has been engaged to research internal conflict dynamics and identify points for change? Who is paying you? What are their goals and objectives? Or, are you a leader of a local community-based organization or movement working to build support for an initiative important to your community’s goals?
Assume that your paper is the basis for a final report of your research and analysis to be presented to your client or other stakeholders. Your report will define the conflict/issue of interest, an analysis, and target points of intervention to facilitate the work of decision makers and drive their work forward. The client recognizes that the report must be completed on a short timetable with electronically available resources. If your have open questions, you may want to make them explicit. Note: In this paper, you are identifying and addressing your issue as a conflict resolution professional. Consider the perspectives and expertise (e.g., psychological and social processes and dynamics) that you bring to the project. REMINDER: This is an evidenced based analysis, not an opinion piece. Use of “I” statements are inappropriate. Citations and references are required. While stories may help to describe the issue, empirically based research is valued.
Conduct your Analysis and Complete Your Paper
After you’ve identified your topic and, as with your Case Analysis Assignment in Module 5, it is recommended that you follow a two-step process to complete your analysis and your paper:
Step 1: EXPLORE THE CASE
Address/consider the following as you complete your analysis prior to drafting your paper.
Focus of your work. What conflict/question you are you analyzing or are you curious about? Place a boundary around the scope of your analysis. Consider the length of the paper and resource availability. Define the problem/issue you are addressing and why the issue is important. Client Interests.
What are your client’s interests, goals and objectives? Why is your client undertaking the analysis?
Analysis. What is the history, context, and background of the case? What are the dynamics holding the conflict in place, worsening the situation and supporting constructive change? What tools may be helpful to apply for your initial analysis? Deeper analysis?
Are there any theoretical lenses to aid your analysis?
Referring to the list of prompts in Module 5’s case study assignment will be helpful here. Entry points.
Where might the client focus to shift the dynamics of the conflict/issue? Identify 2-3 points of intervention that your client could focus on. Identify assumptions you may be making. The points may address individuals or group groups; structures, strategies, and/or processes; one-time intervention points and/or points that will require intervention over time. For each point, please consider:
The purpose (goals) of intervening at this point How does the option work toward achieving the identified goals and/or objectives of your client?
With the information available, what are the strengths and limitations of the alternative (i.e., ease of addressing, cost, time, efficiency, legal implications, ‘political’ acceptability)?
What are the possible unintended consequences?
What may happen if an intervention is not pursued (best case, worst case, status quo)?
Please do NOT provide a full intervention strategy. Next Steps.
What next steps do you recommend to your client? Is additional research required? Is there sufficient information available to recommend further exploring one or more of the intervention points identified? What is the rationale for your recommendation?
Step 2. PREPARE YOUR REPORT
Please use the following section titles to support organizing and writing your report and to provide clarity for your reader. Use diagrams and images to support your analysis as appropriate.
Executive Summary or Abstract
Introduction
Problem or Issue Statement and Objectives.
Define the problem/issue you are addressing and and why the issue is important. Identify the goals and objectives of your client (the country, alliance, firm, organization or organ) that is seeking the solution.
Context, Background and Analysis.
Provide a summary of your research, analysis and results including theoretical lenses applied. In addition, you may also want to note your approach (or methodology) to gather data/information to complete your analysis; identify information/data you could not gather or was not available within the limits and constraints of the study.
Potential Intervention Points
Recommendations
Summary and Conclusion
Assessment
The following criteria will be applied to the final research paper:
Establishing the problem/issue and objectives (Learning Objective 1)
Context, background, and conclusions (L2, L3, L4)
Intervention options, alternatives, and recommendations (L5)
Clarity, response length and APA formatting