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the causes, understand the actors, and analyze and/or predict the outcomes of specific
Middle Eastern conflicts. To meet these objectives we will evaluate broad types of Middle
Eastern conflict such as religious, ethnic, and cultural, militarized conflicts, civil wars, and
occupations. We will also evaluate Middle Eastern conflict negotiation, the Middle East
peace process, why negotiation and peace has failed, and what needs to be done so that
Middle East peace could be achieved. Finally, we will look at the future of Middle Eastern
conflicts.
MACS 6662 – Political Violence
Political Violence is a graduate seminar that explores the many different types of political
violence; specifically looking at revolutions, terrorism, and transitional-institutional
political violence. This seminar examines a wide range of topics in order to provide the
student with a deeper understanding of political violence. We will engage in a thoughtful
and in-depth examination of the definitions, causes, and consequences of political
violence, as well as consider the different means to countering political violence.
MACS 6663 – Introduction to Peace Studies
This graduate seminar explores theories of peace and war, as well as the promotion of
peace. This seminar provides students with an in-depth understanding various depictions
of peace, emphasizing the concepts of positive peace, social justice, and international
development. Peace will be examined systemically, highlighting connections between the
experience of peace at the personal, community, national, and international levels.
Students will therefore also investigate the relationships that human nature and culture
have with peace, war, and violence. In addition, the course will investigate how
international bodies promote peace and mitigate the effects of war. Students will also
examine the causes of war and just war theory. The field of peace studies will be outlined
as well, including a brief history of the field.
MACS 6664 – Restorative and Transitional Justice
This graduate seminar explores the theory and practice of both restorative justice and
transitional justice. This seminar provides students with an in-depth understanding of the
theory upon which restorative justice and transitional justice practice rest. Various forms
of practice, stemming from diverse practice settings, are also examined, including:
victim-offender mediation, victim-offender dialogue in cases of severe violence, family
group conferencing, peacemaking circles, and restorative justice practice in schools. The
seminar offers students opportunities to role-play and practice restorative justice skills.
Forms of transitional justice are also surveyed, particularly truth and reconciliation
commissions and their work around the globe.
MACS 6665 – Irish Social Conflict
This graduate seminar explores conflict at the societal-level in Ireland. Two case studies
will be used to investigate Irish conflict. First, the conflict over Northern Ireland will be
examined. In this conflict, students will consider Ireland’s historical conflict with Britain
and how it led to the conflict between Irish Catholics and British Protestants in Northern
Ireland. Then the current conflict dynamics and those of the recent past will be
considered, culminating in the Good Friday Agreement and the relative state of peaceful
co-existence that exists today. Different conflict resolution strategies employed in the
conflict will also be examined (like the use of restorative justice). The course will also
examine the intra-Irish social conflict between the settled Irish and the Irish travelers.
The travelers had a historic role as tin smiths in Irish society but, as this livelihood was
left behind, their nomadic lifestyle and different culture led to a broad, long-term societal
conflict between themselves and the settled Irish. This seminar will explore this conflict
and consider current conditions of travelers, some of the underlying drivers of the conflict
