Approaching conflict through interactive and discursive perspectives, we discuss how (cultural) group membership may be evoked to incite, explain, or justify different forms of confrontation. The course thus deals with the relationship between conflict and communication, specifically intergroup
and intercultural communication. Participants are introduced to theoretical viewpoints that explain the extent to which conflicts may be linked to intergroup processes. During the course, the students are encouraged to ponder concepts such as identity, banal nationalism and groupism, strategic
essentialism, microaggression, and language as a conflict tool. In addition, the course includes themes such as the role of the media as well as conflict management and diplomacy.
Lecture 1: Introduction to the course
Group session 1: Podcast/audio of conversation; constructive feedback; social identity theory
Lecture 2: Conflict management and resolution
Group session 2: Activity on conflict management and resolution
Lecture 3: Culture as an excuse
Group session 3: Activity on culture as an excuse
Lecture 4: Language diversity and conflict
Group session 4: Interview on language diversity and conflict; reporting via Moodle
Lecture 5: Political conflict, media, banal nationalism
Group session 5: Examples of banal nationalism in everyday life and news
Lecture 6: Mediation and diplomacy
Group session: Mediation and diplomacy on social media and news
Lecture 7: Global Peace and Security
Grading
Your final course grade will made up of the average grade for your group tasks and memos (50%) and your final essay (50%). The quality of your participation in the course will be seen as a factor that can lower or raise your final grade.