IREn5020 Mediation training for an international context

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
The course is intended for Master's level students with an understanding of basic security dilemma, conflict dynamics, and resolution topics.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 14 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/14, only registered: 0/14
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to give students a practical experience with the strengths and weaknesses of the mediation process in managing and resolving disputes and conflicts in international relations. All discussed theoretical concepts are subsequently run through group simulations with students taking on particular roles to role play in real-life IR situations. The course introduces basic negotiation and mediation strategies, as well as helps students self-assess the typical propensities toward mediation bias, sunk costs, spoiler dilemma, etc.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: - understand the key role, mechanisms, and dynamics of mediation in the IR context (supported by delivered theory, literature, and cases)
- implement the theoretical approaches in practice (supported by simulations, BATNA evaluations, and mediations strategy choice)
- identify constituency structures and their appropriate involvement in the mediation process (supported by case examination, spoiler handling, and multi-track simulation)
- critique adopted approaches from existing real-world cases (supported by case analysis, as well as simulations based on real environments)
- formulate a mediation strategy for a given IR context (supported by final role simulations in multiple contexts)
Syllabus
  • 1. Conflict analysis
  • 2. Mediation theory
  • 3. SIMULATION - Security spiral dynamics
  • 4. Pre-negotiation and pre-mediation
  • 5. SIMULATION - Commitment and information problems
  • 6. SIMULATION - Commitment and information problems
  • 7. Mediation strategies
  • 8. SIMULATION - Mediation micro skills
  • 8. SIMULATION - Mediation micro skills
  • 9. Mediation dynamics and outcomes
  • 10. SIMULATION - Constitutiuencies and multi-track mediation
  • 11. SIMULATION - Constitutiuencies and multi-track mediation
  • 12. SIMULATION - Constitutiuencies and multi-track mediation
  • 13. Evaluation
Literature
  • International mediation in a fragile world. Edited by David Carmet - Evan Hoffman. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018, ix, 110. ISBN 9780367255138. info
  • CROCKER, Chester A., Fen Osler HAMPSON and Pamela R. AALL. International negotiation and mediation in violent conflicts : the changing context of peacemaking. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group., 2018, viii, 209. ISBN 9781138704954. info
  • ASSEFA, Hizkias. Mediation of civil wars : approaches and strategies, the Sudan conflict. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018, xii, 234. ISBN 9780367161200. info
  • SVENSSON, Isak. International mediation bias and peacemaking : taking sides in civil wars. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015, xiv, 143. ISBN 9781138200739. info
  • BOWERS, Richard D. and Nelle MOFFETT. Empathy in conflict intervention : the key to successful NVC mediation. Camarillo: Harmony World Publishing, 2012, xiv, 173. ISBN 9781477614600. info
  • EU mediation law and practice. Edited by Giuseppe De Palo - Mary B. Trevor. 1st ed. pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012, lvii, 593. ISBN 9780199660988. info
  • International mediation in theory and practice. Edited by Saadia Touval - I. William Zartman. Boulder: Westview Press, 1985, ix, 292 s. ISBN 0-8133-7008-6. info
Teaching methods
Readings are provided for theoretical background.
Lectures serve to introduce and discuss key concepts and illustrate them in case studies.
Simulation exercises ranging from short role-play to large double-session simulations allow for practical in-process learning.
Assessment methods
Students are graded based on the following criteria:
Preparation for mediations (consuming the assigned reading and simulation material).
Active participation in mediation simulations (including applying introduced theoretical knowledge)
One short reflective essay on a case of the student's choosing
One final reflective essay on a key acquired skill/understanding/appreciation/or defificiency.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every other week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/IREn5020