ENVIRNMNT CONFL/RES STRATEGIES

The natural environment provides a wide range of goods and services on which humans depend for survival, identity, livelihoods, and physical and emotional health. Because we depend so directly on the natural environment, environmental conflicts can be extremely complex and difficult to resolve. 

Students participating in this course will gain: 1) grounding in social-ecological and environmental conflict resolution theory; 2) analytical frameworks for environmental conflict assessment; 3) exposure to a range of resource management techniques for pursuing environmental conflict resolution; and 4) knowledge and skills to evaluate the effectiveness of conflict intervention strategies.

Classes will involve a mix of lecture, discussion, simulation and role-playing, and group work. 

Students in this course will explore the following meta-level questions surrounding conflict and the environment:

• How do environmental factors drive or affect conflict processes?
• What are the short- and long-term effects of natural resource governance on social cohesion and stability?
• What types of interventions are effective and appropriate for resolving conflicts with environmental drivers?