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Conflict Resolution, Human Security & Global Governance

Welcome to the Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security and Global Governance

If you value practical experience, civic responsibility and academic excellence we invite you to explore our internationally-ranked graduate programs and pioneering work of our faculty and research centers.

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About Our Department

Want to improve the planet and help communities?  We can help. 

Learn to manage conflict, build security, and govern local and global organizations through our programs.  Collaborate with our faculty who are internationally-recognized scholars and practitioners in fields spanning conflict resolution, human security and global governance. More about our research areas 

About Taking a Class

This is a great way to "sample" the programs before applying and evaluate whether it meets your goals and interests. You must have a bachelor's degree to enroll and if you earn a B or better, and are later admitted to one of the degree programs listed below, the credits will count towards degree (maximum of 6 credits allowed).  

Visit the Bursar’s website to research costs. All courses are subject to regular session rate and New England regional rate is not applicable for non-degree students.

Please visit the Registrar's website for more information regarding non-degree registration or contact conresglobal@umb.edu. 

Virtual Summer Institute 2024

Virtual Summer Institute:  Conflict Transformation Across Borders (open to undergrads and non-degree students).

Learn more and register here. 

June 3-14, 2024, M-F: 10 a.m. - 1p.m.  on zoom,  plus an additional asynchronous week through June 21 to complete projects.

Info Session recording available here.

Learn about peacebuilding, border conflicts, migration, and conflict transformation together with participants and guest speakers from all over Latin America and the world! Offered by UMass Boston, in collaboration with Latin American partner universities in Ecuador, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. Students will enroll through their respective universities and participate virtual (Zoom) classes in June 2024.  

The program includes the analysis of cases drawn from Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Haiti, Costa Rica, and the United States focusing on conflict, peacebuilding, refugees and border challenges, as well as practical skills training on conflict analysis, actor mapping, negotiation, mediation and proposal writing.  Participants will design a proposal for a peacebuilding Intervention and will receive feedback from a panel of experienced experts in the field.

Co- facilitated by Dr. Jeffrey Pugh of UMass Boston's Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security and Global Governance, Dr. Cecile Mouly of FLACSO Ecuador, and Dr. Monica Herz of PUC de Rio, as well as other speakers.    

 

Take a Class Options

Contact conresglobal@umb.edu for more information. 

Below examples of non-degree classes.  Check back in June for fall 2024 options.

Introductory Theory. 

This course examines the theories and assumptions underpinning the practice of negotiation and mediation. It identifies the major schools of thought that influence models in practice and shape research agendas. It examines theories critically, with three aims-uncovering implicit assumptions of practice, testing those assumptions against empirical evidence or other theories, and gleaning insights to assist practitioners.

International Political Economy

The course engages students in a study of the relationship between economics and politics in global affairs, applying interdisciplinary scholarship to explore the problem of scarcity and the development and functioning of international markets. Topics may include the behavior of institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization; non-governmental organizations such as multinational corporations, local business partnerships, and workers unions; and other political entities situated at the domestic, national, regional, and global levels.

Gender and Conflict. 

The course focuses on examining the relationship between gender, violent conflict, security and peacebuilding. In this class, we will consider how do gender stereotypes influence the ways that we think about conflict and peacebuilding. How can gender as a relational category, among race, class nationality and others be used for the analysis of inequalities? The overall goal will be to gain an understanding of the gendered dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding and explore programmic approaches by working on case studies that elucidate. 
these complexities.

Conflict in Workgroups

This course provides the participant with an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics of work groups, with an emphasis on processes of conflict within them, and 
to develop skills to deal constructively with intra- and inter- group conflict. Class sessions will deal with conceptual issues in a combination of lecture and seminar-discussion format, 
drawing from various literatures on groups. Students will also participate in weekly meetings with a small workgroup, consisting of a sub-set of the class, which will offer an opportunity to 
study group processes in vivo with the aid of a facilitator.

Transform Learning into Action

Our centers and projects conduct innovative research and provide students with opportunities to gain hands on skills.

Resources

Contact Us
Main office: Wheatley Hall, 4th Floor, Room 128A
Phone: (617) 287-7489
Email: conresglobal@umb.edu
Department Administrator: Jason Fasano
Email: jason.fasano@umb.edu

Summer Programs

Is this what is closed?

We offer academically rich summer programs focusing on Community Peace Building and Conflict Transformation Across Borders where you can earn up to 6 credits towards a master's degree. There are no prerequisites for these programs and advanced undergraduates will be considered. Contact conresglobal@umb.edu for more info.