Entry requirements

Fulfilment of the requirements for a Bachelor's degree with a social science subject as the main field of study.

Learning outcomes

After completion of this course, students should be able to:

Leadership

• Understand and distinguish between different leadership styles
• Be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of different leadership styles
• Be aware of the contextual dependencies of different leadership styles (i.e. when is a particularly style powerful in order to reach a certain goal, and when not?)
• Understand the complexities and interrelations between leadership, mediation, facilitation, and chairing

Conflict Resolution

• Understand the complexities of mediation and facilitation processes both within the realm of peace and conflict studies and beyond
• Possess basic skills to carry out elements of mediation and facilitation processes
• Be familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of different mediation/facilitation styles

The student is further expected to be able to:

• Link theoretical approaches of leadership and conflict resolution to empirical examples
• Link theoretical approaches of leadership and conflict resolution to her/his own experiences (either made during the course and/or before)

Content

This course is aimed at training future leaders in the thematic area of peace and conflict. It has two training components: training in organisational skills (leadership) and in mediation skills (conflict resolution). Whereas these can be separated neatly in theory and conceptually, in reality they often overlap. This course will work through all phases of the mediation process, identify key aspects and practice skills to deal with challenges and pitfalls.

Skills cannot be acquired by only reading books. To develop skills in mediation, it is necessary to practice. In this training course, we simulate conflict and mediation situations, and thereby create concrete experiences that can serve as learning opportunities. The training sessions serve as an instrument for reflective group-discussions, analysis and self-reflection.

Thus, the course focuses on the leadership issues in the context of conflict resolution. This course builds largely on group-based training sessions and informed individual reflections. It aims to complement the more theoretically and methodologically oriented courses in the Master programme. A particular focus is on the challenges that face leaders within different types of organisations that are active in the conflict resolution field, in particular non-governmental organisations / civil society organisations, governments, inter-governmental organisations (such as the UN). The students will analyse real-world experiences, shared from experienced leaders in the field of conflict resolution. They will also do skills-training in the different aspects of the mediation and facilitation processes, of use in any leadership capacity. The course will invite guest speakers to convey experiences, directly relevant for peace issues. Examples include: experienced mediators, NGO leaders, representatives from government agencies, international organisations, media, and leaders of faith-based organisations.

Instruction

The course is taught through lectures, seminars and workshops.

Assessment

The examination consists of seminar participation, student-led workshop, writing a leadership manual and a literature review.

The following grades are used: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U). There are two retake opportunities offered every year the course is offered.