International mediation research is an important, expanding, and intriguing field of study in international relations. This advanced seminar focuses on international, external or third-party mediation in interstate and intrastate warfare as an instrument of conflict resolution, termination, de-escalation, or transformation. Topics to be explored in readings, guest lectures, class discussions, and individual research projects include: the state of the art in international mediation research; international mediation in relation to other foreign policy tools like international arbitration or adjudication, economic sanctions, armed intervention, peacekeeping, development aid, and democracy assistance; conceptualizing, explaining, and assessing diverse elements or facets of mediation processes, including mediation phases, providers, practices, performance, or success and failure; actual and potential uses of power-sharing, federalism, decentralization, and associated autonomy arrangements in mediated settlements; case studies of international mediation in contemporary interstate conflicts and civil wars; divergent approaches to international mediation by the global powers, especially the United States and China; and evolving challenges and future prospects of international mediation in an era of resurgent great-power competition.
Learning Outcomes:
After this course, you will be able to:
1. Define international mediation as a distinctive approach to the management or resolution of violent interstate or intrastate conflicts.
2. Identify and evaluate key theoretical and analytical concepts in international mediation studies.
3. Assess the uses and limitations of international mediation in real-world conflicts.
4. Undertake or critique independent research on international mediation.
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Prerequisites: Preference will be given to students who email (rsuberu@bennington.edu) on a first come first serve basis. Previous coursework in SCT and/or CAPA.
Course Level: 4000-level
Credits: 4
W 8:30AM - 12:10PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 16
Course Frequency: Every 2-3 years
Categories: 4000 , All courses , CAPA , Four Credit , Fully In-Person , Politics
Tags: advanced , analysis , conflict resolution , international relations , policy , politics , research and writing