By
Heidi Burgess
Guy M. Burgess
 

August 2019

With the exception of the Online Tutorial on Interpersonal Conflict , all of the rest of these exercises and simulations are ones that Guy and I have used in both undergraduate and graduate conflict courses on Intractable Conflicts, Reconciliation, and general introductory courses (undergrad and grad) on Conflict and Peace. They can all be used in face-to-face settings or in online courses--we have used them in both.

Some of these can also be used in non-classroom settings, particularly the Discussion Guide on Finding Common Ground, which is designed for families, civic groups, and organizations as well as classroom settings.

Exercises to Use in Conflict - Related Courses

• Exploring the Intractability Continuum - an exercise in gauging how intractable different conflicts are in comparison with others--beginning to think about why that might be.
• Exploring the Causes of Intractable Conflicts - A more in-depth exploration of causes of intractability by comparing drivers across cases.
  • ​For Face-to-Face Courses
  • For Online Courses
• Intervenors Coming to the U.S.? A Role-Switch Thought Exercise or Simulation (for Face-to-Face and Online Courses) Consideration of what it would be like to be on the receiving end of peacebuilding assistance. 
• Reconciliation Index  (for Face-to-Face and Online Courses) - What would a reconciled society look like?  How could one get there? 

Exercises to Use in Courses or other Settings

(Community Groups, Religious Groups, Businesses) or any other group who wants to learn how to better deal with conflict.

• ​Why Chains (for Face-to-Face and Online Courses and other groups). A simplified approach to conflict mapping to begin to explore complexity.
• Finding Common Ground / Constructive Approaches for Addressing Differences: a Discussion Guide - An approach to constructively address differences which is useful in many different settings beyond the classroom.
• Values-Based Conversations - An exercise to explore one's and others' values--looking for similarities and differences, and learning how to harness both for better relationships and decision making. 

Online Tutorial on Interpersonal Conflict

• How to Stop Fighting -- An interactive, seven-step tutorial for people involved in relationship conflicts. It invites users to "step through" fictitious (but very relatable) conflict scenarios, experimenting with potential approaches by each party. The tutorial offers helpful advice for de-escalating a conflict and making it more constructive, while warning users about approaches that may have the opposite effect.

Simulations

• Peacebuilding Simulation -- A role-playing scenario that allows users to work, step-by-step, through a fictional ethnic conflict that plays out at the national and community level. Players can take any one of five "third side" roles to see how "ordinary people" can do extraordinary things to build peace in conflict-ridden communities.
• Racial Conflict Simulation -- A role-playing scenario that allows users to work, step-by-step, through a fictional racial conflict in a school setting from any of four very different viewpoints.
• Understanding Environmental Problems: General Environmental Dispute Simulation -- A simulation involving a full range of conflict-related issues within the context of a fictional environmental dispute.
• Understanding Environmental Problems: The Interactive Environmental Framing Simulation -- An online environmental conflict resolution training program, designed to introduce "framing" as a method of understanding and mitigating social policy conflicts surrounding sensitive environmental issues.

Metagraphic Image Credit: Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/feedback-confirming-businessmen-3653368/; Permission: Pixabay License