I am the Resident Director of the new SPEA in Ireland Program, a newly approved study abroad program which will be offered in June, 2014 in Dublin, Ireland. The title of the course offered isCross-cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution. Although this is a SPEA program, it is open to all students at Indiana University.
Students
can apply for any SPEA Abroad program by visiting the webpage at http://www.indiana.edu/~spea/spea_abroad/index.shtml.
Gary L. Branham
Adjunct Faculty
Indiana University
School of Public and Environmental Affairs
1315 E. Tenth Street - SPEA 412
Bloomington, IN 47405-1701
(765) 620-7193
SYLLABUS
SPEA V482: Cross-cultural Conflict
and Dispute Resolution
SPEA in Ireland
Summer 2014
Gary Branham
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Class Meeting Time
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Various – see below
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Classroom
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TBD
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Instructor contact Information
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Gary Branham, Adjunct Faculty
SPEA 412
Office: (812) 855-7980
Cell: (765) 620-7193 (call or
text) anytime 8 am – 11 pm
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Secretary
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Jennifer Mitchner
(812) 855-7980
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Teaching Assistant
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Nikki Purcell
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Office Hours
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By appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
Ireland, with its tortured history of
conflict and ongoing reconciliation, provides the perfect backdrop for this
course which explores the theoretical and historical impact cultural
differences have on conflict and dispute resolution processes. It integrates theories of conflict and
dispute resolution with an analysis of differences in dimensions of culture
including religion, values, identity, world views and language. Additionally, this course will look at the
reconciliation process and the key challenges in transforming personal, social
and structural relationships that have been damaged or destroyed by conflict.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course explores the way cultural
differences can impact dispute resolution processes including communication,
negotiations, mediation and the reconciliation process. This course is designed to equip the student with
an analytical framework within which he or she may engage in communication,
negotiations and dispute resolution processes involving cross cultural
influences. The goal is for students to
be able to utilize the knowledge and skills acquired in dealing with conflict
across cultural lines whether internationally or within an organizational
environment.
REQUIRED READINGS
Course readings will be provided on
Oncourse and should be downloaded and read prior to class. Students will be able to access Oncourse in
Ireland, so you will not need to take printed copies with you to Ireland.
COURSE STRUCTURE, REQUIREMENTS, AND
GRADING CRITERIA
The course will emphasize both
lecture and discussion. I will introduce
the pertinent subject matter and tie together the various readings on a topic,
but you will be expected to actively participate in discussion. You are expected to read and comprehend all
of the required readings. Students
should be prepared to respond to questions from the instructor. The instructor may call on students at random
to discuss readings, lecture material, and cases. All assignments and examinations will be
based on lectures, in-class exercises, cases, readings, and discussion
questions.
Power Point presentations that are
used for class lectures will be posted to Oncourse after the class session on
the Resources tab. Announcements and
links to relevant articles also will be posted to Oncourse. Students are expected to access Oncourse and
review the items posted. Any
announcements will also be sent to your IU e-mail address, so please check your
mail regularly.
Final Paper
Most of your grade for this course
will be based on your final paper. The
topic for the final paper will be given on the last day of class and you will
have 3 weeks to complete and turn your paper in via Oncourse. All papers MUST be turned in ON ONCOURSE by
July 11, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Your
paper will be graded based on how well you incorporate the concepts presented
in class and your experiences on our excursions in Ireland.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
There is a very strong correlation
between attending my classes, PARTICIPATING IN CLASS and earning good
grades. Because of this, attendance will
be taken each day. Your
attendance/participation grade will be based on a combination of your
attendance and how much you have participated in class. It’s not enough to just show up. You are
expected to participate. It is up to
each student to manage his/her absences.
Students who attend each and every class session (i.e., never missing for any reason) will
receive strong consideration for a higher final grade if they are on the
borderline between grades.
GRADING
Final
Paper 100
Reflection
Papers (4) 80
Attendance/Participation
20
TOTAL 200
points
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Grade
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Points Needed
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Percentage
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A+
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196
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98%
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A
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184
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92%
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A-
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180
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90%
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B+
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176
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88%
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B
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164
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82%
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B-
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160
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80%
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C+
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156
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78%
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C
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144
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72%
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C-
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140
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70%
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D+
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136
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68%
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D
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124
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62%
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D-
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120
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60%
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F
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Below 120
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Below 60%
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Final Paper
The Final Paper will be a group
project which will be due after your return from Ireland. You will be applying the concepts learned in
class using references from lecture, guest lectures, excursions, and readings. More information regarding the final paper will
be given during class.
Reflection Papers
There will be 4 Reflection Papers
due during the course which you will submit on Oncourse. These papers will require you to reflect on
your experiences while in Ireland and apply concepts form the lectures, reading
and your personal experiences. More
information will be given regarding the Reflection Papers prior to departure.
COURSE POLICIES
SPEA Student Honor Code:
Standards of academic conduct are
set forth in the School’s Student Honor Code, http://www.indiana.edu/~spea/career_services/about_us/student-code-of-conduct/SPEA%20Student%20Honor%20Code.shtml. All examinations, tests, written papers, and
other assignments are required to be completed according to the standards set
forth in this code. All work must be entirely your own. When you quote from others’ work, you must
give full credit by footnote or endnote.
Failure to use quotation marks when quoting, failure to give full credit
when paraphrasing, use of others’ ideas or work products, submission of work
prepared through impermissible collaboration, and also submission of work
prepared by you for another class are all examples of violations of the Student
Honor Code and will result in sanctions.
By registering in this
class, you have acknowledged your awareness of the Student Honor Code, and you
are obliged to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined
by the Code. Violations of the Student
Honor Code will not be treated lightly, and disciplinary action will be taken
should such violations occur. Please see
me if you have any questions about the academic violations described in the
Code in general or as they relate to particular requirements for this course.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Student Honor Code can result in
failure in the course, as well as more serious academic sanctions.
Policy
Regarding Academic Dishonesty:
SPEA faculty do not tolerate
cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty. If you have not done so, you should read the
IUB Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, which can be accessed
at http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/, so you will
be sure to understand what these terms mean and what penalties can be issued
for academic dishonesty. Academic
dishonesty can result in a grade of F for the class (an F for academic
dishonesty cannot be removed from the transcript). Significant violations of the Code can result
in expulsion from the University.
Plagiarism is using another
person's words, ideas, artistic creations, or other intellectual property
without giving proper credit. According
to the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, a student must
give credit to the work of another person when s/he does any of the
following:
a) Quotes
another person’s actual words, either oral or written;
b) Paraphrases
another person’s words either oral or written;
c) Uses
another person’s idea, opinion, or theory; or
d) Borrows
facts, statistics, or other illustrative material, unless the information is
common knowledge.
Policy
Regarding Course Withdrawal
Students who stop attending class without properly withdrawing
from the class will receive a grade of F.
It is important to withdraw from a course within specified timeframes
(refer to the Office of the Registrar website at
http://registrar.indiana.edu/~registra/time_sensitive/offcalen4102.shtml).
Policy
Regarding Laptop Computers and Cell Phones
Students are allowed to
use laptop/netbook computers, iPads, or any other equivalent device in the
classroom. However, if they become a distraction, you will be prohibited from
using these devices in class AND your participation grade will be adversely affected. Also, TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF BEFORE
ENTERING THE CLASSROOM. If you have an emergency that requires your cell phone
to be on during class, please consult with me before class begins to receive.
Academic support: If you
experience difficulty in this course for any reason, please do not hesitate to
consult me. In addition to the resources
of the department, a wide range of services is available at the University to
support you in your efforts to be successful in this course. I will direct you
to each and any of these upon request.
If you have a disability and
might require accommodations in this course, please notify me via Disabled
Students Services (DSS) early in the semester so that I can make arrangements
to address your needs.
Policy
Regarding Civility
Civility is important in an
academic community to ensure that all parties—students, staff, and faculty—are
working in an environment that fosters achievement of the individual's and
community's goals and objectives.
Civility requires all parties to demonstrate personal integrity and
conduct themselves in a manner that shows respect, courtesy, and tolerance to
others. Examples of discourteous
behaviors during class include reading the newspaper, doing work for other
classes, listening to headphones, talking or laughing with others, chronically
arriving late, and so forth. Maintaining
and fostering civility inside and outside the classroom is especially important
to SPEA, which is a professional school.
Therefore, I expect all
students to conduct themselves with professional courtesy, which includes (but
is not limited to) the following:
·
Respect for
fellow students, the profession, and the instructor. Please treat other students
respectfully. When I am in front of the
class lecturing or addressing a question from a student, I expect your full
attention. This means no talking with
other students or in any way distracting me or the class from my
lecture/discussion. Do not carry on a
conversation with someone else in the class.
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Attendance and
willing participation. Chronic unexcused
or illegitimate absences will not be tolerated.
If you have a legitimate excuse for not attending a class session, please
let me know, in advance if possible. I
reserve the right to take into account any special circumstances that arise.
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Promptness.
Please do not be late to class. I expect
all students in their seats and ready to begin at 5:45 PM. I reserve the right to take further action if
students are continually late to class.
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Do not leave the
classroom except for health reasons or if you have notified me in advance for
that day.
Policy
Regarding Disabilities
If any student will require
assistance or appropriate academic accommodations for a disability, please
contact me after class, during my office hours, or by individual
appointment. You must have established
your eligibility for disability support services through Disability Services
for Students in Franklin Hall, Room 006, 855-7578.
Syllabus
Disclaimer
The instructor reserves the
right to change the syllabus as needed throughout the course of the
semester. Whenever a change is made,
students will be notified as early as possible during class and/or via e-mail
about the change(s).
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Mon, JUN 2
Bloomington
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Foreign travel orientation and course
introduction
Reading 1 and 2
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Tues, JUN 3
Bloomington
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Introduction to Conflict and Dispute
Resolution processes
Reading
3 and 4
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Wed, JUN 4
Bloomington
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Introduction to “The Troubles”
Reading
5
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Sun, JUN 8
Donnybrook, Dublin
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Welcome Reception – O’Connell’s
Restaurant
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Mon, JUN 9
UCD - Dublin
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“History of Culture and Conflict in
Ireland and its connection to the United States”
Dr. Mary McAuliffe, professor of
woman’s studies, UCD
Debrief
Branham
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Tues, JUN 10
UCD - Dublin
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“Identity-based conflict in Ireland –
historical perspective”
Reading
6
Dr. Jennifer Todd, UCD
Debrief
Branham
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Wed, JUN 11
UCD - Dublin
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“Dispute resolution processes and
foreign policy”
Tour of the Clinton Institute
Reading
7
Dr. Liam Kennedy, Director, Clinton
Institute at UCD
Debrief
Branham
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Thurs, JUN 12
Glendalough, Ireland
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Tour of Glendalough and the Wicklow
Mountains
Debrief
Branham
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Fri, JUN 13
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Student free day to explore on their
own.
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Sat, JUN 14
Dublin
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Experience Gaelic Games
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Mon, JUN 16
DCU - Dublin
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Visit Dublin City University - The
Institute for International Conflict Resolution and Reconstruction
Reading 8
Dr. John Doyle, professor and director
Various guest speakers including
political figures and others involved in the reconciliation process
Debrief
Branham
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Tues, JUN 17
Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland
Reading
9
“The Northern Ireland Conflict – Is it
religion-based, political-based, ideology-based?” Dr. David Tombs, professor Trinity College
Dublin
“Language identity’s role in the
Conflict” - Pádraig Ó Tuama, Trinity College Dublin.
“Mediating the Conflict in the
Reconstruction stage” – David Hollowell, Mediator Practitioner, Belfast,
Northern Ireland
Screening of the motion picture “Five
Minutes of Heaven” starring Liam Neeson and based on Alistair Little’s
experience.
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Wed, JUN 18
Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Debrief previous day
Branham
“The Conflict from a former militant’s
perspective” – Alistair Little
Tour of Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Thurs, JUN 19
UCD - Dublin
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Debrief previous day
Branham
Reading
10
Hop On – Hop Off Tour of Dublin
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Fri, JUN 20
UCD - Dublin
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Debrief previous day
Branham
Review of final paper requirements
Closing comments
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