Conflict-resolution and peace-building 3500-FAKANG-CR
The contemporary world is marked by conflicts, divisions, and
polarization, notably exemplified by recent wars in Ukraine and
Israel. Poland plays a pivotal role in this world-historical moment,
as it is situated in an area aptly termed the “Bloodlands” (as coined
by Timothy Snyder), a region that has borne the brunt of wars,
genocide, and famine over the past decades and centuries. The
war in Ukraine underscored to the world the existential nature of
this land, serving as a witness and battleground for centuries-old
rivalries between Sea and Land, East and West, Asia and Europe,
Russia and Germany.
The paradox is: Despite ongoing conflicts and a pressing need for
peace, there’s no field of peace and conflict studies in Poland. It
feels like we’re too immersed in conflicts to examine them.
Moreover, there’s a divide between scholars and
practitioners—activists lack scholarly backgrounds, while scholars
lack the drive to get involved. To bridge theory and practice, we
need, as highlighted by Marc Gopin, compassionate reasoning,
which is an essential skill needed for peace-building and conflict-
resolution.
This seminar aims to combine theoretical concepts with practical
conflict-resolution and peace-building strategies. Throughout the
course, we will integrate classical literature with cutting-edge
research. Recognizing that knowledge on peace and conflict is
dispersed across disciplines, our seminar will adopt a thoroughly
interdisciplinary approach.
In pursuit of a new model, we will draw from systems theory,
psychology, group psychoanalysis, organizational studies, therapy,
consulting, philosophy, management, and spirituality. As
understanding that peace-building is fundamentally a lived
practice rooted in tacit and implicit wisdom, our focus will be on
empirical cases. Ultimately, the seminar will provide an
opportunity for experiential learning.
Part of the Integral Development and Solidarity (IDEAS) Lab, this
seminar will be a collaborative effort involving scholars from
George Mason University, Bendectine College, Ukrainian Catholic
University, and Oxford University. It marks the inaugural step in
introducing peace and conflict studies to Poland at a critical
juncture for both the world as well as the discipline. It will be led
by prominent American and Polish scholars in the field: prof. Marc
Gopin, prof. Tory Baucum, and prof. Agata Dziewulska, and
facilitated by prof. Michał Łuczewski.
Rodzaj przedmiotu
Tryb prowadzenia
Koordynatorzy przedmiotu
Efekty kształcenia
K_W01 Knows and understands basic concepts of various sub-
domains of sociology (e.g. law, ritual, liturgy, peace, war, love,
beauty)
K_W03 Is aware of ongoing theoretical and methodological
disputes conducted in modern sociology; is reflective and critical of
various positions
K_U04 Can critically select information and materials for academic
work, using various sources in Polish and a foreign language as well
as modern technologies
K_U16 Knows how to interpret the role of culture in the life of the
individual and society
K_U17 Can relate an academic text to the problems of social life
and its empirical studies
Kryteria oceniania
The students will be expected to write 7 to 15-page leadership
cases.
Literatura
Gopin, Marc. Healing the Heart of Conflict: Eight Crucial Steps to
Making Peace with Yourself and with Others Revised and Updated.
Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 2016
Gopin, Marc. Compassionate Reasoning: Changing the Mind to
Change the World. Oxford University Press 2022.
Gopin, Marc. Scholar-Peace Practitioner: A Life, “State of Affairs”
2023
Neufeld, Vern Redekop and Thomas Ryba. René Girard and
Creative Reconciliation, Lexington Books, 2014
Dziewulska, Agata. "Theory Versus Practice: Peace Processes in
Bosnia." Peace, Conflict & Development. An interdisciplinary
Journal 2 (2002): 2.
Łuczewski, Michał et al. Solidarity Step by Step. Warsaw. 2015
Łuczewski, Michał, Slavic Political Theology
https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/slavic-political-theology-
juliusz-sowacki-between-bakunin-and-schmitt/
Lederach, John Paul. The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of
Building Peace. Oxford University Press 2010.
“Thou Shalt not be Overcome”. Martin Seligman on Academia,
Leadership, and God in A Conversation with Piotr Czekierda and
Michał Łuczewski, “State Of Affairs” 2023
Seligman, M. E., Railton, P., Baumeister, R. F., & Sripada, C., Homo
prospectus. Oxford University Press 2016
Kennedy, Michael D. Contemplative Studies, Martial Arts and
Solidarity: An Autobiographical Knowledge Cultural Sociology of
Transformational Theory and Practice, “State Of Affairs” 2023
Philpott, Daniel. Just and Unjust Peace: An Ethic of Political
Reconciliation. Oxford University Pres 2015.
Hodge, Joel. Resisiting Violence and Victimisation, Palgrave 2012
Friedman, Edwin H. A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the
Quick Fix. Church Publishing, Inc., 2007.
Girard, René. Battling to the End: Conversations with Benoît
Chantre. MSU Press, 2009.
Rifkind, Gabrielle. A Better Future Can be Built for Gaza, “Prospect”
2023 https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/64056/gaza-
israel-palestine-hamas-war
Rifkind, Gabrielle. How to talk peace while waging war, “Prospect”
2023 https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/60456/how-to-
talk-peace-while-waging-war
Alderdice, There is no military solution in Israel/Gaza
https://lordalderdice.com/2023/10/25/there-is-no-military-
solution-in-israel-gaza/
Alderdice, John. Conflict, Complexity, and Cooperation. “New
England Journal of Public Policy” 33.1 (2021): 9.
Alderdice, John. New insights into the psychology of individuals
and large groups in a world of changing conflicts, “International
Political Science Review” 2023
https://lordalderdice.com/2023/08/06/mind-under-fire/
Alderdice, John. “Leadership, conflict, and cooperation.” In
Terrorism, Violent Radicalisation, and Mental Health, edited by
Kamaldeep Bhui and Dinesh Bhugra, 241–52. Oxford University
Press, 2021.
https://ipaoffthecouch.org/2021/10/31/episode-97-off-the-couch-
and-into-the-political-arena-with-john-lord-alderdice-frcpsych/
Rifkind, Gabrielle, and Nita Yawanarajah. Preparing the
psychological space for peacemaking, “New England Journal of
Public Policy” 31.1 (2019): 7.
Merali, Yasmin. Complex Adaptive Systems in a Contentious World,
“New England Journal of Public Policy” 34.2 (2022): 3.
Carmichael, Liz. Friendship and Dialogue, “Journal of World
Christianity” 7.1 (2017): 28-46.
Więcej informacji
Dodatkowe informacje (np. o kalendarzu rejestracji, prowadzących zajęcia, lokalizacji i terminach zajęć) mogą być dostępne w serwisie USOSweb: