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Bachelors

Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA

George Mason University
Arlington , United States
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Bachelors
Major
Peace and Conflict Studies | Philosophy | International Relations
Area of study
Social Sciences | Humanities
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA

Overview

The world is becoming increasingly connected and the ability to create and maintain cross-cultural connections is more important than ever. As the effects of violence and conflict are felt throughout the global community, we are seeing more and more opportunities for collaboration, problem solving, and peacebuilding in local communities and across international barriers. To prepare our students to make cross-cultural connections, Bachelor's of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Resolution students must demonstrate intermediate level proficiency in a foreign language.


Advising

Advisors help students create an interdisciplinary course of study that meets their interests and career goals. All majors are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with an academic advisor from the School who will help students develop and follow a coherent plan of study and complete the degree in a timely manner.


Policies

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see AP.5 Undergraduate Policies.


Major Coursework Grade Requirement

Students cannot use more than 12 credits of coursework within the major with a C- or D grade to count towards the Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA. If a student receives C- or D grades in excess of the allowed number, they may retake courses to meet the major coursework grade requirement for graduation. Students taking a graduate course for undergraduate credit must achieve a grade of B- or higher for graduate course credits to count towards their undergraduate degree.


Transfer Students

For policies governing admission and requirements for students transferring from another college or university, see Undergraduate Admission Policies - Transfer.


Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120


Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor's degrees as stated in Academic Policies including all Mason Core requirements. Students majoring in Conflict Analysis and Resolution must also complete the college-level requirements for foreign language proficiency as well as 52 major requirement credits for the BA degree.


Required Core Courses

  • CONF 101: Conflict and Our World (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • CONF 210: Theories of Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 3 credits
  • CONF 300: Conflict Resolution Techniques and Practice - 3 credits
  • CONF 301: Research and Inquiry in Conflict Resolution - 3 credits
  • CONF 302: Culture, Identity, and Conflict (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • CONF 320: Interpersonal Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 3 credits
  • CONF 330: Community, Group, and Organizational Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 3 credits
  • CONF 340: Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • CONF 490: RS: Integration (Mason Core) - 3 credits Total Credits: 27

Field Experience

Students can choose to fulfill this requirement through an internship, study abroad, field experience course, or independent study.


  • CONF 370: Internship Field Experience - 3 credits
  • CONF 375: Special Programs Field Experience - 3 credits
  • CONF 385: International Field Experience - 3 credits
  • CONF 499: Independent Research in Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 3 credits Total Credits: 3

Skills and Practice

This requirement can be fulfilled by taking any four credits from this course list. Students are encouraged to have more than one field experience and may count an additional 3 credits from a second field experience toward the skills and practice requirement.


  • CONF 310: Special Topics in Practice - 4 credits
  • CONF 314: Career Development Seminar - 4 credits
  • CONF 325: Dialogue and Difference - 4 credits
  • CONF 326: Negotiation - 4 credits
  • CONF 331: Simulation in Community and Organizational Conflict Resolution - 4 credits
  • CONF 341: Simulation in Global Conflict Resolution - 4 credits
  • CONF 370: Internship Field Experience - 4 credits
  • CONF 375: Special Programs Field Experience - 4 credits
  • CONF 385: International Field Experience - 4 credits
  • CONF 386: Context and Synthesis: Study Abroad - 4 credits
  • CONF 397: Study Abroad Special Topics (Allowed only when also completing CONF 386) - 4 credits
  • CONF 425: Mediating Conflict - 4 credits
  • CONF 499: Independent Research in Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 4 credits Total Credits: 4

Concentrations

There are eight concentrations.


Concentrations

  • Concentration in Building Peace in Divided Societies (BPDS)
  • Concentration in Global Engagement (GLBE)
  • Concentration in Political and Social Action (PSA)
  • Concentration in Justice and Reconciliation (JRCN)
  • Concentration in Interpersonal Dynamics (INTD)
  • Concentration in Collaborative Leadership (CLDR)
  • Concentration in Environmental Conflict and Collaboration (EVCC)
  • Individualized Concentration (IND)

Concentrations are made up of six courses. The following are guidelines for approved concentrations:


  • At least four courses must be taken from the selected concentration category. The remaining two supporting courses may be selected from any of the concentration lists or may be any CONF course not applied to another degree requirement.
  • Three of the six courses must be in-residence CONF coursework. CONF 397 Study Abroad Special Topics and courses transferred from another institution may be substituted for concentration requirements, but cannot fulfill the in-residence requirement.

Concentration in Building Peace in Divided Societies (BPDS)

Focuses on how divided societies with a history of conflict seek to transform relationships and situations of violence and injustice. Examines communities and societies that have experienced conflict and how individuals and groups build peace locally and globally.


  • CONF 325: Dialogue and Difference - 3 credits
  • CONF 335: Justice and Reconciliation - 3 credits
  • CONF 392: Youth and Conflict - 3 credits
  • CONF 393: Violence: Causes, Dynamics Alternatives - 3 credits
  • CONF 435: Building Peace in Divided Societies - 3 credits
  • COMM 305: Foundations of Intercultural Communication (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • CULT 320: Globalization and Culture (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • ECON 360: Economics of Developing Areas (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • GGS 307: Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development - 3 credits
  • GOVT 342: Diplomacy - 3 credits
  • HIST 373: The Civil War and Reconstruction - 3 credits
  • SOCI 320: Globalization and Social Change (Mason Core) - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Concentration in Global Engagement (GLBE)

Focuses on studying the dynamics and impact of global conflict resolution. Examines domestic and international dimensions of security, state-to-state conflict, internal wars, terrorism, migration, negotiation, and diplomacy. Explores what can be done to reduce violent conflict and increase peace and security.


  • CONF 335: Justice and Reconciliation - 3 credits
  • CONF 345: Social Dynamics of Terrorism, Security, and Justice - 3 credits
  • CRIM 405: Law and Justice around the World (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • ECON 385: International Economic Policy - 3 credits
  • EVPP 337: Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • GGS 301: Political Geography (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • GGS 307: Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development - 3 credits
  • GOVT 322: International Relations Theory - 3 credits
  • GOVT 342: Diplomacy - 3 credits
  • GOVT 446: International Law and Organization - 3 credits
  • INTS 416: Refugee and Internal Displacement (Mason Core) - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Concentration in Political and Social Action (PSA)

Focuses on the ways that people organize themselves to effect change in their societies. This concentration explores social action, social organization, social movements, and civil resistance to analyze and investigate the role of constructive conflict.


  • CONF 347: Mobilizing for Change and Justice - 3 credits
  • CONF 393: Violence: Causes, Dynamics Alternatives - 3 credits
  • CONF 394: Human Rights and Inequality - 3 credits
  • ECON 309: Economic Problems and Public Policies - 3 credits
  • GOVT 301: Public Law and the Judicial Process - 3 credits
  • GOVT 364: Public Policy Making - 3 credits
  • INTS 304: Social Movements and Community Activism (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • INTS 334: Environmental Justice (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • INTS 362: Social Justice and Human Rights (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • PSYC 427: Community Engagement for Social Change (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • SOCI 307: Social Movements and Political Protest - 3 credits
  • SOCI 340: Power, Politics, and Society - 3 credits
  • SOCI 352: Social Problems and Solutions (Mason Core) - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Concentration in Justice and Reconciliation (JRCN)

Focuses on the relationships between human rights, justice, and conflict resolution. Encompasses a spectrum of coursework including legal dimensions of human rights, trauma, memory, healing, conflict transformation, and forms of restorative justice.


  • CONF 335: Justice and Reconciliation - 3 credits
  • CONF 337: Restorative Justice - 3 credits
  • CONF 394: Human Rights and Inequality - 3 credits
  • CONF 403: Preventing Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity - 3 credits
  • CONF 435: Building Peace in Divided Societies - 3 credits
  • CRIM 307: Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice - 3 credits
  • CRIM 404: Crime Victims and Victimization - 3 credits
  • INTS 300: Law and Justice (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • INTS 314: Conflict, Trauma and Healing - 3 credits
  • INTS 362: Social Justice and Human Rights (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • SOCI 308: Race and Ethnicity in a Changing World (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • SOCI 355: Social Inequality (Mason Core) - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Concentration in Interpersonal Dynamics (INTD)

Focuses on the dynamics of social interaction that lead to interpersonal conflict and the processes and skills that support the transformation of these conflicts. Issues examined include intercultural communication, psychology of groups, family relationships, and other dimensions of human relations.


  • CONF 325: Dialogue and Difference - 3 credits
  • CONF 392: Youth and Conflict - 3 credits
  • CONF 425: Mediating Conflict - 3 credits
  • COMM 301: Interpersonal Communication: Theory to Practice - 3 credits
  • COMM 305: Foundations of Intercultural Communication (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • COMM 401: Interpersonal Skills for Career Development - 3 credits
  • INTS 317: Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • PSYC 231: Social Psychology (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • PSYC 379: Applied Cross-Cultural Psychology (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • PSYC 417: Science of Well Being - 3 credits
  • PSYC 467: The Psychology of Working in Groups and Teams - 3 credits
  • SOCI 309: Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships - 3 credits
  • SOCI 315: Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core) - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Concentration in Collaborative Leadership (CLDR)

Focuses on improving the capacity of leaders to work with conflict and manage change. Includes topics in conflict transformation, mediation, dialogue, and organizational leadership.


  • CONF 325: Dialogue and Difference - 3 credits
  • CONF 326: Negotiation - 3 credits
  • CONF 329: Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving - 3 credits
  • CONF 408: Global Peace Education - 3 credits
  • CONF 425: Mediating Conflict - 3 credits
  • COMM 201: Small Group Communication - 3 credits
  • COMM 335: Organizational Communication - 3 credits
  • GOVT 351: Administration in the Political System - 3 credits
  • INTS 331: The Nonprofit Sector (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • INTS 404: Ethics and Leadership - 3 credits
  • INTS 435: Leadership in a Changing Environment - 3 credits
  • MGMT 303: Principles of Management - 3 credits
  • PSYC 333: Psychology in the Workplace (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • PSYC 335: Psychology of Creativity and Innovation - 3 credits
  • RMGT 316: Leadership and Outdoor Education - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Concentration in Environmental Conflict and Collaboration (EVCC)

Focuses on using a variety of conflict resolution processes to address environmental issues. Examines how communities and societies are dealing with environmental issues and prepares students with process skills to promote collaborative solutions.


  • CONF 325: Dialogue and Difference - 3 credits
  • CONF 326: Negotiation - 3 credits
  • CONF 329: Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving - 3 credits
  • CONF 425: Mediating Conflict - 3 credits
  • ANTH 370: Environment and Culture - 3 credits
  • CONS 410: Human Dimensions in Conservation (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • CONS 490: RS: Integrated Conservation Strategies (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • EVPP 336: Tackling Wicked Problems in Society the Environment (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • EVPP 337: Environmental Policy Making in Developing Countries (Mason Core) - 3 credits
  • EVPP 436: Politics of Climate Change Governance - 3 credits
  • EVPP 361: Introduction to Environmental Policy - 3 credits
  • GGS 307: Geographic Approaches for Sustainable Development - 3 credits
  • INTS 334: Environmental Justice (Mason Core) - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Individualized Concentration (IND)

Students interested in creating their own concentration can work with an advisor to decide upon a set of at least six courses that form a cohesive theme and will fulfill the requirements of the BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Individualized concentrations must be approved by the Director of the Undergraduate Program.


BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution without Concentration

Students may opt to complete their major in Conflict Analysis and Resolution without a concentration. The department offers many elective courses that allow students to deepen their understanding of theory and practice within the field of Conflict Resolution. Students may choose this option and complete the conflict resolution core and 18 credits of conflict coursework selected from the following list. These credits may not be used to also fulfill the skills and practice or field experience requirements.


  • CONF 250: Narratives of Conflict - 3 credits
  • CONF 325: Dialogue and Difference - 3 credits
  • CONF 326: Negotiation - 3 credits
  • CONF 329: Community Engagement and Collaborative Problem Solving - 3 credits
  • CONF 335: Justice and Reconciliation - 3 credits
  • CONF 337: Restorative Justice - 3 credits
  • CONF 345: Social Dynamics of Terrorism, Security, and Justice - 3 credits
  • CONF 347: Mobilizing for Change and Justice - 3 credits
  • CONF 375: Special Programs Field Experience - 3 credits
  • CONF 392: Youth and Conflict - 3 credits
  • CONF 393: Violence: Causes, Dynamics Alternatives - 3 credits
  • CONF 394: Human Rights and Inequality - 3 credits
  • CONF 398: Special Topics in Advanced Techniques and Practices - 3 credits
  • CONF 399: Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 3 credits
  • CONF 403: Preventing Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity - 3 credits
  • CONF 408: Global Peace Education - 3 credits
  • CONF 425: Mediating Conflict - 3 credits
  • CONF 435: Building Peace in Divided Societies - 3 credits
  • CONF 499: Independent Research in Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 3 credits Total Credits: 18

Foreign Language Proficiency

Students must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language. This requirement may be fulfilled by successfully completing a foreign language course numbered 202 or higher. Students may also fulfill this requirement by achieving a satisfactory score on a university approved foreign language proficiency test. Students who are already proficient in a second language may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.


Writing-Intensive Requirement

All Mason students are required to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their major at the 300-level or above. CONF 302 Culture, Identity, and Conflict (Mason Core) has been designated "writing intensive."


Electives

Remaining credits needed to bring the degree total to 120 may be fulfilled with general elective courses.


Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.


Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Resolution Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.


First Year Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits CONF 101 | 3 | CONF 210 | 3 Mason Core (ENGH or COMM) | 3 | Foreign Language Introduction Course II | 3 Mason Core - Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | Mason Core- World History or Western Civilization | 3 Foreign Language Introduction Course | 3 | Mason Core- Natural Science non-lab | 3 UNIV 100 (optional course) | 1 | Mason Core (ENGH or COMM) | 3 Conflict Elective Topic | 3 | | 16 | | 15


Second Year Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits CONF 300 | 3 | CONF 320 (or CONF 330 or CONF 340) | 3 CONF 314 | 1 | Concentration Course #1 | 3 Mason Core- Fine Arts | 3 | Mason Core-Literature | 3 Mason Core- Natural Science with Lab | 4 | Mason Core- Information Technology | 3 CONF 310 | 1 | Foreign Language Intermediate Course II | 3 Foreign Language Intermediate Course I | 3 | | 15 | | 15


Third Year Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits CONF 330 (or CONF 320 or CONF 340) | 3 | CONF 302 | 3 Mason Core- ENGH 302: Advanced Composition | 3 | CONF 340 (or CONF 320 or CONF 330) | 3 Concentration Course #2 | 3 | Concentration Course #3 | 3 Skills & Practice Course (or Field Experience) | 3 | Concentration Course #4 | 3 Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | 15 | | 15


Fourth Year Fall Semester | Credits | Spring Semester | Credits CONF 301 | 3 | CONF 490 | 3 Field Experience (or Skills & Practice) | 3 | CONF 310 | 1 Concentration #5 | 3 | Concentration #6 | 3 Skill Based Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 Elective | 3 | Elective | 4 | 15 | | 14 Total Credits 120


Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA or BS/Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Accelerated MS

Overview

This accelerated Master's option is designed for highly qualified and motivated undergraduate students. If accepted, students may take up to 18 credits of graduate coursework before undergraduate degree conferral and will be able to earn an undergraduate degree and the Conflict Analysis and Resolution, MS after satisfactory completion of at least 141 credits. The time period for the combined program is typically five years. It provides a streamlined MS application process with no additional application fee.


Application Requirements

For specific application requirements and information for the accelerated Conflict Analysis and Resolution, MS, see Eligibility, Policies, and Deadlines. Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions.


Students must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25 at the time of application.


Accelerated Master's Requirements

  • A maximum of 12 credits will count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students should meet with a Carter School Academic Advisor to discuss how the courses may count towards degree requirements.
  • At the time of the undergraduate degree conferral, students' GPAs must meet the standard required for admission to the master's degree.
  • Contact or for additional information and to schedule an advising appointment.
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