Thinking Through Conflict: Cognitive Approaches to Resolution

Allakhverdov_Conflicts_F25 (1)

Faculty:

Fall 2025: September 1, 2025 – December 19, 2025
Schedule: Tue, Thu 14:30 – 15:50 CET | 8:30 – 9:50 EDT
Subject: PSY
Level: 100
Credits: 4 US / 8 ECTS
Max Enrollment: 22
Language of Instruction: English
Prerequisites: No
Do you find conflicts fascinating? How often do you experience them? While we humans are usually efficient at avoiding things that we do not like, such as pain or eating disagreeable food, ditching conflicts is not humanity’s strongest skill. This course aims to analyze the cognitive nature of conflict and discuss various pathways to conflict resolution. First, we will study the process of communication and its contribution to conflict interaction. Then we will talk about communicating with others as an acquired skill, which is no different than baking a cake or riding a bike, trying to understand why, for example, people are more forgiving of a terrible cake than an offensive pronouncement. Other elements of the course will include conversations about conflict initiation, the most common causes that lead to confrontations, and the productive methods of managing and resolving adversity. The “microscope” of cognitive and social psychology will help us understand fundamental mechanisms underlying conflict behavior. Among the research methods employed in this course, group work, analysis of case studies, and practical approaches to conflict resolution will predominate.

 

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Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative
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Smolny Beyond Borders

A Liberal Arts Initiative




Afghan Female Student Outreach, Al-Quds Bard, Al-Quds University, AltLiberalArts, American University of Afghanistan, American University of Beirut, American University in Bulgaria, American University of Central Asia, Ashesi University, Bard College, Bard College Berlin, BRAC University, Central European University, European Humanities University, Haitian Education and Leadership Program, Hubs for Connected Learning Initiatives, Institute for Philosophy, Belgrade, Kyiv School of Economics, National Sun Yat-sen University, Parami University, Rift Valley Institute, Talloires Network of Engaged Universities, Tuskegee University, Universidad de los Andes, University of the West Indies, Wits University




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Craft a reflective statement of purpose explaining your interest in the Smolny Beyond Borders online course. The file should be saved with your name and course title as the filename and uploaded accordingly. Your statement's clarity and substance will significantly influence our selection. Convey your motivations and aspirations for this course succinctly but thoroughly. Kindly write your statement in the course's Language of Instruction.
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