The Graduate School Bulletin
Conflict and Peace Studies Program
127 McIver Street
(336) 334-4781
http://www.uncg.edu/cnr
Graduate Programs:
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Conflict and Peace Studies, 18 hours
Master of Arts (MA) in Conflict Resolution, 39 hours
Admissions Information
Graduate Faculty
CNR Conflict Resolution Courses
Graduate Faculty
Program Director
Cathie J. Witty, PhD, MFT, Conflict theory and practice, cultural dimensions of conflict, advocacy, program evaluation, conflict analysis and transformation, integrative colloquium.
Professor
Cathryne L. Schmitz, Ph.D, LCSW, Organizational conflict, cultural dimensions of conflict, peace and community building, gender and peacebuilding, integrative colloquium.
Assistant Professors
Sherrill Hayes, PhD, Family conflict, conflict and education, social policy, community engaged research, community conflict practice, integrative colloquium.
Thomas G. Matyok, PhD, Peace and community building, crisis management, building peace through health, conflict resolution in groups, integrative colloquium.
PBC - Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Conflict and Peace Studies
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Conflict and Peace Studies prepares students for the changing nature of professional development, organizational knowledgge and change through scholarship and research. The certificate program can be beneficial to those who have already received a graduate degree in their current area but would like to specialize in conflict studies. It is also appropriate for those who possess an undergraduate degree and are seeking to obtain broad knowledge of the conflict and peace studies field or for professionals who have already earned a graduate degree in their professional field and would benefit from research and theory and additional practice skills in a range of conflict studies.
The certificate requires 18 semester hours. A maximum of 6 semester hours from graduate courses taken in or transferred from other programs may be applied to the requirements of the certificate program upon the approval of the Program Director and in accordance with policies of The Graduate School. Courses taken for the certificate program may be used to meet requirements in a degree program in accordance with the policies of The Graduate School.
Online Certificate Program
Both the certificate program and the master’s program are available online; all web based courses run parallel to residential courses on campus and the curriculum is identical. Classes meet via web connection each week on the scheduled day of class and all lectures, discussion, assignments, supplementary materials, feedback, and assessments are accessed online. See the website at conflictstudies.uncg.edu for more information.
Application and Admission
Applicants must submit all application materials required by The Graduate School by March 1 to be considered for Fall admission. Students may be admitted for Spring in openings remain..
Certificate Requirements
It is generally recommended that students without conflict resolution experience enroll in the core sequence of courses, plus one elective of their choice, as illustrated below. However, given their goals or experience, students may design their own program with the advice and written approval of their advisor.
Suggested Certificate Curriculum
Core Courses (12 hours)
CNR 600 Concepts and Processes of Conflict Resolution (3)
CNR 601 Cultural Dimensions of Conflict (3)
CNR 605 Skills and Techniques of Conflict Resolution (3)
CNR 610 Conflict Transformation: Reconciliation and Healing (3)
CNR 636 Organizational Conflict (3)
Electives (6 hours)
Two electives are selected from conflict and peace studies courses with the approval of the student’s advisor.
MA - Master of Arts in Conflict and Peace Studies
The MA in Conflict and Peace Studies is dedicated to providing high quality, professional training in multiple conflict intervention and prevention skills such as mediation, negotiation, facilitation, violence prevention, and collaborative problem solving. The program focuses on pragmatic approaches to solving personal and social problems in a variety of social settings. Students are exposed to an array of techniques and strategies to achieve nonviolent solutions to conflict that arises in diverse family, organizational and community environments.
The program promotes a systemic and critical perspective to the challenges facing individuals, families, organizations and communities in both a global and local analytical perspective. With an interdisciplinary commitment to social justice and human rights, we train professionals to seek collaborative, constructive and conciliatory methods for resolving human conflict. Our goal is to mold reflective conflict professionals—practitioners with a critical understanding of theory, research and a range of methods, local and global perspectives, and an appreciation of diversity, peace development and social justice.
The MA in Conflict and Peace Studies requires completion of 39 semester hours and is built on a comprehensive core curriculum of nine academic courses and seminars. Flexible course schedules in the day, evenings and summer allow students of all ages, challenges, job requirements, technology, and delivery needs to participate in the learning process.
Concentrations
The program offers three concentrations which students may choose to focus their research, theory and practice areas; concentrations are voluntary and are not required for graduation. The areas are Professional Conflict Practice, Education, and International Peace Development. Students must take one required course from the concentration list below and select from the remaining course cluster list to complete a concentration of nine semester hours or three semester courses. Concentrations must be declared by students by the end of the first year and declared in CNR 607 Professional Research Seminar since a concentration track will affect course selection in the second year.
Online Master's Degree
The master’s program is available completely online and is identical in content and focus with the residential program; all courses are offered simultaneously in residential and online formats. A few courses, such as Integrated Colloquium are offered in combination, with residential and online students meeting on the same time and day for joint discussion, feedback and collaborative team projects. For more information, visit conflictstudies.uncg.edu or email for information at conflictstudies@uncg.edu.
Student Exchange with University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
The Conflict and Peace Studies Program will launch a student exchange program with the University of Konstanz in Germany in Fall 2012. The Konstanz focus on public policy and international public administration is a valuable curricular addition for UNCG students interested in study and potential internships in international affairs, peacebuilding, and postconflict policy and administration, EU and NATO policy in Europe, conflict assessment, and postwar recovery programs.
Application and Admission
In addition to the application material required by The Graduate School, applicants must must submit a personal essay on their interest and expectations of the MA in Conflict and Peace Studies and complete an interview with members of the admissions committee. Applications are accepted through June but should be received by March 1 for full consideration for Fall admission and available assistantships. Applications will be reviewed until July 1 if space remains. Students need to specify residential or online status at the time of admission.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses (24 hours)
CNR 600 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies (3)
CNR 601 Cultural Dimensions of Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies (3)
CNR 602 Professional Practice Seminar (1.5)
CNR 605 Skills and Techniques of Conflict Resolution (3)
CNR 606 Organizational Conflict: Theories and Practices (3)
CNR 607 Professional Research Seminar (1.5)
CNR 609 Community Engaged Research (3)
CNR 610 Conflict Transformation: Reconciliation and Healing (3)
Practicum Requirement (3 hours) (Capstone Experience)
CNR 690 Integrated Colloquiom (3)
The capstone course is designed to facilitate the integration of theory, research, analysis, practice skills, and application. Through individually designed capstone projects or research papers, students will analyze and synthesize what they have learned throughout the curriculum, exploring issues individually and within learning communities, to deepen their experience in the evaluation of practice and the process of ongoing knowledge building.
Electives (12 hours)
Electives are selected with the approval of the Program Director to encompass a student’s selected concentration or individual pathway through the program. Students pursuing an optional concentration will complete 9 of the 12 semester hours as follows:
Education Concentration (9 hours)
CNR 625 Conflict Resolution in Education (3) or CNR 626 Conflict Resolution in Higher Education (3)
and two of the following courses:
CNR 631 Crisis Management: Response and Resolution (3)
CNR 633 Restorative Justice: Theory and Practice (3)
CNR 637 Program Evaluation in Conflict Studies (3)
International Peace Development Concentration (9 hours)
CNR 676 Peace Development and Community Building (3)
and two of the following courses:
CNR 677 Advocacy Theory and Practice (3)
CNR 679 Gender and Conflict Peacebuilding (3)
CNR 683 Social Violence: A Systemic View (3)
CNR 685 Conflict Resolution in Health Care Systems (3)
Professional Conflict Practice Concentration (9 hours)
CNR 645 Conflict Practice (3)
and two of the following courses:
CNR 640 Negotiation Theory and Practice (3)
CNR 647 Mediation Theory and Practice (3)
CNR 652 Conflict Resolution in Groups (3)
CNR Conflict Resolution Courses
600 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies (SVL)
Introduction to the interdisciplinary theory, research conflict analysis and intervention strategies which form the foundation of peace and conflict studies.
601 Cultural Dimensions of Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies (3:3) (SVL)
Explores multiple dimensions of diversity in creating and resolving conflicts. Students will explore their own culture beliefs and values as well as diverse conflict models and systems around the world.
602 Professional Practice Seminar (1.5:1.5)
Pr. 600 and 601
Introductory seminar. Students learn and apply the seven competencies required for conflict and peace studies: theory, global and cultural competence, collaboration, practice skills, public policy, and project management.
605 Skills and Techniques of Conflict Resolution (3:3)
Theory and practice to develop a foundation of interpersonal skills and techniques needed by conflict professionals such as communication, negotiation, mediation, assessment, and presentation. Service learning project required.
606 Organizational Conflict: Theories and Practices (3:3)
Pr. 600 and 601 or permission of instructor
Theories, methods, and practices in assessing and transforming conflict in modern organizations.
607 Professional Research Seminar (1.5: 1.5)
Pr. 602
Introductory research seminar. Within the context of the interdisciplinary theory and research underlying peace and conflict studies, students are exposed to research design, interviewing skills, and data analysis methods.
609 Community Engaged Research (3:3)
Pr. 602, 606 and 607 or permission of instructor
Students research, design, and conduct a piece of community based research focusing on relationships, conflict, mechanisms for resolution, and transformation.
610 Conflict Transformation: Reconciliation and Healing (3:3)
Pr. 602, 605 and 607 or permission of instructor
Nonviolent responses to conflict and violence that are oriented to the restoration of relationships damaged by crime, war, community and workplace violence.
618 Qualitative Research Design in Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Programs (3:3)
An introduction to qualitative research methods and design from a social, organizational, and conflict studies, restorative justice and peacebuilding program perspective.
621 Family Conflict (3:3)
Explores family conflict theory, research, and methods across the lifespan through readings, case studies, and role plays. Topics include divorce, parent-child, dependency, older adults, and family violence. (Same as HDF 675A)
625 Conflict Resolution in Education (3:3)
Pr. 600 or permission of instructor
Explores conflict resolution theory, practice, and programming in educational settings and community organizations from early childhood through secondary education (B-12). Peer, professional, and systemic conflicts examined.
626 Conflict Resolution in Higher Education (3:3)
Explores conflict resolution theory, practice, and programming in higher education settings. Student, staff, faculty, administrative, and organizational conflicts will be examined.
631 Crisis Management: Response and Resolution (3:3)
Overview of critical incident response, management and resolution in relation to individual, family, community, and organizational perspectives.
633 Restorative Justice: Theory and Practice (3:3)
Examines the theory of restorative justice in indigenous and modern societies, with program applications to cmmunity building, safer schools, violence and hate reduction.
637 Program Evaluation in Conflict Studies (3:3)
An introduction to program evaluation strategies such as needs and benefit assessment, sampling, interviews, use of records and related issues in conflict assessment and intervention programs.
640 Negotiation Theory and Practice (3:3)
Introduction to negotiation strategies, tactics, and styles used between individuals or groups in a variety of cultural settings.
645 Conflict Practice (3:3)
Pr. 605 or 647 or permission of instructor
Supervised application of dispute resolution programs and practices with Campus Conflict Resource Center and other CIVIC Project programs. Field experience required.
647 Mediation Theory and Practice (3:3)
Exploration of a number of mediation theories, models and practices governing mediation in a range of settings. The course builds off theory to develop practical mediation skills.
650 Independent Study (3:3)
Intensive study guided by the graduate faculty
652 Conflict Resolution in Groups (3:3)
Examines the range of practices of group facilitation with a focus on current theories and techniques of professional facilitation in conflict resolution practice and training.
665 Conflict Analysis in Religious Communities (3:3)
Overview of conflict analysis and intervention strategies in religious communities and organizations. Analyze and implement models of reconciliation and forgiveness.
676 Peace Development and Community Building (3:3)
Pr. 600 and 601, or permission of instructor
Approaches to community and peacebuilding, with emphasis on understanding power and conflict, are taught within a global context. Strategies are developed for building peace and community through civic engagement.
677 Advocacy Theory and Practice
Explores advocacy law, theory and practice for victims of violence and trafficking, women, children, the disabled, and those identified as mentally ill. Analysis and discussion based on case studies.\
679 Gender and Peacebuilding (3:3)
Pr. 600 and 601 or permission of instructor
Examines the role of gender, sex, diversity, and power relations in the creation and resolution of conflict and building of peace.
683 Social Violence: A Systemic View (3:3)
Explores the interpersonal and social causes of violence, domestic and child abuse, the nature of trauma, the use of rape, violence and genocide as a strategic tool in war and conflict.
685 Resolving Conflict in Health Care Systems: Achieving Peace through Health (3:3)
Pr. admission to certificate or master’s program in Conflict Studies or permission of instructor
Peace building and conflict resolution in health care and humanitarian initiatives; human rights and social justice perspective.
690 Integrated Colloquiom (3:3) (SVL)
Pr. 600, 601, 602, 605, 607, 609, 610 and five electives (pre or co-requisite)
Final capstone course in which students integrate theory, research, analysis and practice skills through a community based project documented with an electronic portfolio for presentation. May be repeated once.
803 Research Extension (1-3)