WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY

Conflict Resolution and the Internet                 		Spring 1999
SOC 399 (3 credits)						Dr.  Vincent N. Parrillo
TR 9:30 - 10:45 p.m. in S508				  	Office: Science 351B
E-mail: parrillo@wpc.wpunj.edu				Phone: 973-720-2669

Course Description
Beginning with a general introduction to various aspects of conflict, this course proceeds
to a study of  hate groups on the world wide web and then to the different conflict sites in 
the world itself.  The essence of the course is extensive use of the internet to gain 
information, both from various web sites and in electronic communication with other students
simultaneously taking this course elsewhere in this and other countries.  Ultimately, students 
form into smaller groups to work on a conflict resolution project.

Required Texts:
   None
Required Readings:
  As posted on the class web page. The URL is http://wpcweb.wpunj.edu/irt/courses/soc399/

Course Objectives
Xenophobia has reemerged throughout Europe, while Racism and ethnic hostilities are on the 
rise in America.  Scapegoats and groups are being singled out for hostile reactions, 
discrimination,  and hate. Uncertainty, fear, economic recessions, political instabilities are 
the most identifiable causes of these problems.  In the light of the latest wave of xenophobia 
and  racism it is increasingly  essential that students become involved in race relations and 
conflict resolution.  Thus, the objectives are:
	1.  To enhance student awareness of the impact of perceived realities upon intergroup 
             relations, misunderstandings, and hostilities.
	2.  To widen the student's frame of reference in studying race relations and conflict 
             resolution through interaction with students in other institutions, both in the 
             United States and abroad.
	3.  To develop student awareness of the many forums and perspectives available 
  	     on the Internet from either enhance or undermine race relations.
	4.  To stimulate individual research into identifying, analyzing, and cross-culturally 
  	     comparing race relations problems and proposing possible action plans for 
             conflict resolution.

Evaluation Methods

1.  At designated intervals, students submit a two-page paper that  summarizes discussions 
     they have had with ListServ participants.
2.  Class participation and internet participation in seminar discussions.
3.  Final paper on a pre-approved topic on a race/ethnic relations topic and the proposed 
     conflict resolution.

Class Structure to Meet Learning Objectives:

1.  Each student "hooks up" with peers in courses elsewhere to form electronic discussion 
     groups for weekly  chats" on the assigned topic.
2.  Within the seminar class, students participate in open discussion based the readings and 
     electronic input.
3.  Instructor serves as a facilitator in generating discussions both in class and on the 
     Internet, guiding students into a greater understanding of the subject while also 
     developing further their critical thinking skills in the issues, hidden agendas, and 
     social constructions of reality that impact upon both race relations and the ongoing 
     electronic discussions.

The nature of the Class:

There are literally thousands of listservs devoted to providing a forum for specific ethnic 
and/or racial groups.  One can find every variant of perspective, from racist to racialist, 
antagonists to protagonists, those whose aim is racial conciliation to perpetuating racial 
and ethnic discord.  Students, from multiple universities will be encouraged to tap into 
these listservs.  This will provide what might be called some superficial and typically a 
more detailed first hand introduction to various sources of conflict.  After an initial period 
introduction, surfing of the net and scanning published material, students will be 
encouraged to select a particular regionalconflict and pair up with colleagues at other 
institutions. Teams will be constructed which will be devoted to a particular side of the 
conflict.  For example: If Ireland were taken as a regional location, one set of students 
will take the side of Protestants while another will take the Catholics.  In America, one 
set could represent Native Americans living on reservations while another federal or 
local townspeople.  In Canada it might be between French and English.  In the Middle 
East one set obviously could take Palestinian while others will take the position of 
Jewish settlers. 
 
Through research and dialogue the student teams would explore the historical, 
psychological, economic, political, sociological and contemporary sources of conflict 
from the unique vantage point of the particular group.  By looking at the multiple facets 
of the problem through interdesciplinarian lenses slanted from the unique perspective 
of the particular groups greater clarity will be provided regarding the exact nature of 
various conflicts.  Through continuous and regular dialogue with fellow students over 
the Internet a more dynamic intellectual process will follow.

Course Content
Jan 12 - Jan 21      	What are we dealing with?
			         Readings:  "Scientific Racism"
				           "Is Multiculturalism a Threat?" 
				           "Challenging the Racist Science of The Bell Curve"	
Jan 26- Jan  28		Hate groups on the internet
Feb  2 - Feb 9		Exploring conflict sites (Africa)
					"Death by Diversity"
					"Contemporary Conflicts"
Feb 11 - Feb 18		Exploring specific conflict sites (Asia)
Feb 23 - Mar 2		Exploring specific conflict sites (Middle East)
Mar  4			Midterm exam
Mar  16 - Mar 23        Exploring specific conflict sites (Europe)
Mar 25 - Mar 30		Exploring specific conflict sites (The Americas)
Apr  1 - Apr 6		Conflict resolution theory and concepts
			Readings:  "Community Justice in a Volatile South Africa: Containing
 					 Community Conflict"
		                   "Promoting Joint Thinking in International Conflicts; An
 					Israeli-Palestinian Continuing Workshop" 
        		           "Cultural perspectives on International Negotiations 					
Apr 8 - May 6		Student team projects

Course Requirements
You are responsible for keeping up-to-date in your class notes and in the assigned readings.

Class attendance is critical.  More than six unexcused absences will result in automatic 
failure.

Class participation is a major part of this course and your grade as we will all learn from 
each other.
 
Midterm exam and term project will be explained in class.

Final grade is based one-third each on class participation, midterm, term project.