An exploration of the principles of conflict and conflict resolution as they are used and applied, with focus in the area of natural resource management. Topics include what conflict is, how it arises, and how consensus is achieved by facilitation, interest-based negotiation and/or mediation. Emphasis is placed on moving beyond simple problem-solving to the actual resolution of underlying conflicts and issues, such as shifting from positional to interest-based arguments. Reviews of past, current and emerging conflicts in the natural resource sector also are incorporated into the course. Considerable time is devoted to role-playing exercises, during which students learn from one another as they enact mock conflict situations.
Prerequisite: 4th year standing in the BNRS program
Corequisite: NRSC 411