2024-2025 / SPOL0377-1

Political conflict resolution

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Bachelor in political sciences : general3 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Bob Kabamba 

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Part 1: Decision-making theories

Lesson 1: General introduction to the course
Lesson 2: The issue of organisational and bureaucratic constraints to which the decision-maker is subjected.

Lesson 3: The role of psychological factors influencing the rationality of the player when making the decision.
Lesson 4: The impact of public opinion and domestic considerations on foreign policy decisions.



Part 2: Analysis methodology and diagnosis of conflicts

Lessons 5 and 6: the various tools used to analyse conflicts will be developed. The analysis and diagnosis of conflicts is an essential stage.


Part 3: Methods used to solve political conflicts

To solve a conflict, it is essential to take two stages into account: identifying effective tools according to the conflict and its context, and establishing and applying strategies combining these various tools in order to lead the country towards lasting peace.


Lesson 7: Official diplomacy
Lesson 8: Unofficial conflict management methods
Lesson 9: Military measures
Lesson 10: Economic and social measures
Lesson 11: Development and political management measures
Lesson 12: Judicial and legal measures
Lesson 13: Measures relating to communication and education

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The aim of this course is to review foreign policy decision-making theories, which have become subject to controversy covering ethical, ontological, theoretical, methodological and epistemological stakes. Conflict analysis tools that allow us to understand the history of a conflict, its causes, what kindles or triggers it, will also be developed. Finally, the various methods of solving political conflicts will be dealt with.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Lessons last two hours. The exact times, as well as the location of the classes, will be specified in the timetable handed out at the beginning of the year.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

ALLISON G, ZELIKOW Ph, Essence of Decision. Explaining the Cuba Missile crisis, New York, Longman, 2nd ed. 1999

GAUBATZ K, Elections and war, Stanford, Stanford University press, 1999

DEESE D., The New Politics of American Foreign Policy. New York, ST Martin's Press, 1994

PLANTEY A, Principes de diplomatie, Editions A. Pedone, Paris 2000

LUND M. S. Preventing violent conflicts. A strategy for Preventive Diplomacy, United States Institute of Peace Press, Washington D.C., 1996.

"Outils pour l'analyse des conflits" and "Comprendre le conflit, vers un cadre conceptual", Simon Fisher, in Cheminer avec les conflits. London. Zed Books Ltd. 2000

MARRET, J-L, La Fabrication De La Paix - Nouveaux Conflits, Nouveaux Acteurs, Nouvelles Méthodes, Collection: Perspectives Stratégiques, Ellipses Marketing, Paris, 2001

The exam consists of an oral test on the course subject.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Dr. KABAMBA Bob
Boulevard Rectorat 7, bât. 31, bte 43, bureau R14
4000 Liège (SART-TILMAN)
Tel. +32 4 366 30 34
Fax +32 4 366 45 57
Email : bob.kabamba@ulg.ac.be

Association of one or more MOOCs