Negotiation and conflict resolution are central features of the study and practice of diplomacy. This course explores the causes of conflict (and peace) and examines various mechanisms that are employed by the international community in an attempt to address interstate and intrastate conflict. It also provides students with an opportunity to study and practice the essential diplomatic art of negotiation.
The core part of the course, focusing on the international framework for conflict resolution, spans five lectures/seminars. During these five sessions we survey the causes and character of conflict and explore a wide range of mechanisms for inter-state and intra-state conflict resolution. Three broad and topical concepts of diplomacy – ‘preventive diplomacy’, ‘coercive diplomacy’ and ‘peacebuilding diplomacy’ – are used to demarcate different phases and types of conflict management. In our consideration of preventive diplomacy we examine the preventive measures of peaceful settlement contained in Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter, such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration and adjudication. In our examination of coercive diplomacy we discuss coercive measures for preventing and resolving conflict, such as sanctions and use of force provided for in Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Finally, we use the notion of peacebuilding diplomacy to examine the mechanisms that help shape peacebuilding interventions in conflict and post-conflict zones, such as peace processes and multidimensional peace operations.
The course also includes the compulsory week-long Intensive Negotiation Workshop. In this workshop students gain first-hand exposure to the challenges of managing conflict through diplomatic negotiation. You will be introduced to the practical skills and techniques of negotiation and mediation through workshop discussion, demonstration, practice and simulation exercises.
Research-Led Teaching
The learning outcomes and aligned assessment for this course are designed to strengthen the capacity of students to conduct top-quality independent research and analysis. The course convenor, Dr Jeremy Farrall, has an active research agenda in the field of negotiation and conflict resolution. He is currently a Chief Investigator on the Australian Research Council Linkage Project ‘Strengthening the Rule of Law through the United Nations Security Council’. This project is a research collaboration between the Australian National University and the Australian Civil-Military Centre. It examines how the UN Security Council’s use of peace operations, sanctions and force intersects with the rule of law. Dr Farrall is a former UN staffer. Among his UN appointments he has served as: a Political Affairs Officer for the UN Security Council in New York; a Political Affairs Officer for the UN Mission in Liberia; and a UN Facilitator for the UN Secretary-General’s Good Offices Mission in Cyprus. He is the author of United Nations Sanctions and the Rule of Law (Cambridge, 2007) and a co-editor of The Role of International Law in Rebuilding Societies After Conflict (Cambridge, 2009).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon completion, students will have a thorough knowledge of the study of political violence in contemporary world politics through an analysis of its causes, dynamics and management. Students will also be able to analyse, understand and explain conflict and find ways through negotiation and diplomacy to manage and hopefully even resolve and prevent its occurrence.
Other Information
Delivery Mode
On campus, Semester 1.
Indicative Assessment
Written work of 5000 words
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Students undertaking this course could expect a workload of 10 hours per week. This is inclusive of actual contact hours for lectures and also out of class preparation time.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
A compilation of prescribed readings will be distributed to students at the beginning of the semester.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Students continuing in their current program of study will have their tuition fees indexed annually from the year in which you commenced your program. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $2808 | |
| 2014 | $2808 | |
| 2013 | $2808 | |
| 2012 | $2808 | |
| 2011 | $2808 | |
| 2010 | $2808 | |
| 2009 | $2808 | |
| 2008 | $2808 | |
| 2007 | $2808 | |
| 2006 | $2808 | |
| 2005 | $2808 | |
| 2004 | $2808 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1994-2003 | $3942 |
| 2014 | $3942 |
| 2013 | $3942 |
| 2012 | $3942 |
| 2011 | $3942 |
| 2010 | $3942 |
| 2009 | $3942 |
| 2008 | $3942 |
| 2007 | $3942 |
| 2006 | $3942 |
| 2005 | $3942 |
| 2004 | $3942 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3698 | 17 Feb 2014 | 07 Mar 2014 | 31 Mar 2014 | 30 May 2014 | In Person | N/A |
