IGR Courses
Intergroup Conflict and Co-Existence: Religion, Culture and Ethnicity

UC 375/Soc 375/Psych 312

Conflict is an inherent part of human nature, individual relationships and thus society. Conflict can be productive, and there are important, successful and often underreported examples of coalition building and coexistence between groups that historically have been in conflict. This course will engage students in a critical examination of examples of social conflict based on religion, ethnicity and culture. The course will provide an overview of interdisciplinary theories that help to understand the nature of such conflict (gender, social identity, limited resources, psychological, neurological, communication, anthropological, political science, sociological), and will then review current coalition building and coexistence work among various religious, ethnic and cultural groups. Experiential activities will enhance learning about these topics.

Conflict as a constructive tool for social change will be analyzed. Important examples of peace and coexistence work in higher education, community programs and NGOs will be examined (i.e. Oasis of Peace, Slifka Program, UN Difficult Dialogues, Peace Studies Program, etc.).