About the Academic Track

About the Academic Track

Conflict resolution skills are essential for forging and stewarding successful relationships between people, communities, and organizations. ISU Master of Art in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution prepares students to analyze the root causes and dynamics of conflict and to transform disputes through reasoned and resourceful interventions. With courses led by some of the world’s premier scholar-practitioners in negotiation and conflict resolution, the academic track focuses on developing self-awareness, tenacity, and interpersonal competency; building common ground; opening lines of communication; ensuring representation and recognition; and building sustainable possibilities for resolution. Flexible track options meet the needs of young and mid-career professionals as well as career-changing professionals.

In This Master’s Academic Track, You Will…
Learn from the world’s premier scholar-practitioners in negotiation and conflict resolution.
Practice negotiation and conflict resolution in a wide array of settings and contexts, providing an easier transfer of these skills.
Join ISU’s robust academic and professional communities, and gain access to the internship, fieldwork, and career opportunities that these networks may bring.
Understand the root causes and dynamics of conflict and how to work through disputes through reasoned and resourceful negotiation.
Select one or more core areas of focus from options including: local and community dispute resolution; international development and peacebuilding; and conflict resolution within and between organizations.
Have access to mentorship and career guidance from the highest levels of the academic track and across faculty, staff, and alumni.
Complete an in-depth Capstone Project in which you will apply theoretical understanding and a research-supported pragmatic approach to transform real-world conflict.

Study System

Study Duration

● The student studies eight courses, distributed as follows:
√ Six compulsory courses.
√ Two elective courses from among the courses offered by the college for master’s students.
● The study is conducted through research seminars in each course. The research seminar is based on multiple references and is in accordance with the methodology and standards of scientific research.
● The study of each of the eight courses takes four credit hours for a minimum of four weeks and may exceed that according to each student’s abilities. After that, the student’s competency and knowledge test is held in the course he completed, then he begins another course in the same manner, and so on.
● The student is assigned a hypothetical course that the college chooses from among the courses that the student has studied at the undergraduate level, and this is considered a practical training for the student to be evaluated with ten credit hours. The student must divide this course from twelve to fourteen brief lectures. The student presents each lecture in the form of a written summary of its topic in Word or PDF format, accompanied by a video recording of it in the student’s voice using the Power Point program, with a duration of not less than ten minutes and not more than About twenty minutes.
● Study courses in the first year, the student has the right to extend the study for a period not exceeding a second year.

The requirements for obtaining a master’s degree in various disciplines are sixty credit hours according to the study plan approved by the University Council, and these requirements are distributed according to the following programs:
1- Research courses of thirty-two credit hours.
2- A scientific thesis with eighteen credit hours.
3- A practical training of ten credit hours.

Requirements for registering a thesis topic for a master’s degree
● The student must pass the stipulated courses with a score of at least 70%.
● The student obtained a TOEFL certificate of at least 450, or its equivalent, or obtained an equivalent certificate in the French language, with the exception of those who obtained a first university degree in one of the two languages, or in one of the two languages.
● The student submits a request to the university administration to register a master’s thesis with a proposed topic in one of the subspecialty tracks.
● If the initial approval of the subject title is achieved, the college council will designate a supervisor to guide and follow up the student in preparing the plan.
● The research plan includes the importance of the topic and a critical presentation of previous studies in it, specifically the research problem, then defining the study’s curriculum and its main hypotheses or questions that you want to answer, and the division of the study and its sources.
● The student presents his proposed plan in a scientific seminar, discussing the plan as a topic and an approach.
● The student adjusts his plan based on the professors’ observations in the seminar if he is asked to amend.
● After the seminar, the plan is presented to the college council to take its decision regarding the registration of the subject.
● In the event of approval, the College Council’s decision is presented to the University Council to approve the registration, and the registration date is calculated from the date of the University Council’s approval.

Jury discussion and award of degree
● The minimum for preparing a master’s thesis is nine months, starting from the date of approval by the University Council to register the subject, and the maximum is two years, which can be extended for a third exceptional year upon the recommendation of the supervisor and the approval of the College Council, provided that the total period of student enrollment in the degree does not exceed four years.
● The supervisor submits a semi-annual report that includes what has been accomplished and what is required in the remaining period.
● After the student completes the thesis and the supervisor reviews it, the supervisor submits to the university administration a report stating its validity for discussion, including an evaluation of the student’s performance during the preparation period of the thesis of 140 degrees, with a full copy of the thesis signed by him, and a letter with the names of the discussion and judgment committee proposed by the professors of the specialty, for presentation to the college Council.
● At least fifteen days must pass before the student’s discussion from the date of the approval of the discussion committee by the college.
● The validity period of the committee formed to discuss the thesis is six months, which may be renewed for a similar period based on a report from the supervisor and the approval of the College Council.
● Each member of the committee writes a detailed scientific report on the validity of the thesis for discussion, and the thesis is evaluated out of 420 degrees, and the average of the three degrees is taken.
The student may not be discussed unless he/she gets at least 70% of the supervisor’s evaluation of his performance and the committee members’ evaluation of the message in the individual reports.
● A group report is submitted after the discussion, signed by all members of the committee, in which an evaluation of the thesis discussion is given on a scale of 140 degrees.

The thesis is passed after public discussion with one of the ratings shown in the following table:

Percentage of gradespointsappreciation symbolAppreciation
ArabicEinglish
95 to 100%4A+A+Prominent
90 to less than 95%7 , 3aA
85 to less than 90%3 , 3b+BVery well
80 to less than 85%3BB
75 to less than 80%7 , 2c+C+Good
70 to less than 75%3 , 2cC

After the college approves the student’s results, the master’s degree is awarded at a rate calculated from the average total of the courses and thesis grades.
After obtaining the approval of the University Council to grant a master’s degree to the student, he is entitled to obtain insured certificates, authenticated by the university, stating that he obtained that degree, in order to present them to the various authorities.

Study Duration

The duration of study to obtain a master’s degree in Political and economics is two years as a minimum, and six years as a maximum.
In the first year, the student studies at least eight subjects, and the study is through research seminars for each course. The research seminar is based on multiple references and is in accordance with the scientific research methodology and standards.
In the second year, the student attends a general seminar for the topic of the thesis, which he will prepare and submit for discussion
The general seminar is discussed by the scientific committee at the university, and the title of the thesis is approved
The student works to complete his thesis under the supervision of the supervisor decided by the Presidency of the University based on the proposal of the Dean of the Faculty
The student completes his scientific thesis and submits for discussion before the committee formed by the Presidency of the University in a public session and completes the conditions for a master’s degree
Courses of study in the first year The student has the right to extend the study in it for a period not exceeding a second year
The thesis prepared by the student during a period of time not less than 9 months and not exceeding two years

Conditions for success and graduation

1) The student is considered to have passed any of the program’s courses if he achieves a final score of no less than 65%. He is also considered successful in the master’s project if he obtains a mark (granted by the judging committee) not less than 75%.
After the student presents the results of his project before the committee, and discusses its technical content.
2) The student is not entitled to submit to discuss his thesis until a scientific research is published in an approved refereed journal.
3) The student obtains a master’s degree certificate after he has fulfilled all the scientific requirements for this degree.

Academic Track Structure

Academic Track
8 courses = 32 credit hours,
 practical training = 10 credit hours
 Master's thesis = 18 credit hours
Courses
Practical Training
Master's Thesis

Curriculum

I. Compulsory Courses

Scientific Research Methodology

Course name: Scientific Research Methodology

Course code: MPOL101

Credit hours: 4.00

The course aims to train students to prepare research in political science, by identifying the most important steps of the research process such as the research problem, scientific hypotheses, concepts and variables, data collection methods, data analysis tools, reaching results and generalizations, in addition to introducing the most important approaches used in field of political science.
The curriculum’s inputs include: the form and type of knowledge, learners’ characteristics, needs, tendencies and interests, the society’s philosophy, values, hopes and aspirations. The outputs of the curriculum are: knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

International Disputes and the Principle of International Responsibility

Course name: International Disputes and the Principle of International Responsibility

Course code: NCR101

Credit hours: 4.00

The course has four main objectives: a- Understanding conflict as a social phenomenon by discussing the concepts, models, mechanisms and theoretical frameworks that control its emergence, development and settlement through various stages, whether at the societal or international level. B- The ability to use this understanding by analyzing international conflicts, giving a reading of the reality of the conflict, its parties, issues, and the course it takes, and identifying opportunities for intervention to influence its course. C – Study the understanding and applications of conflict analysis within the Arab and Islamic cultural framework. d- Determining the levels of intervention in international conflicts and defining the opportunities and risks resulting from the intervention. The course begins with introducing different definitions of conflict as a social phenomenon and the forms it takes throughout its stages of development. It attempts to find differences between various concepts of the phenomenon such as “difference”, “conflict”, “conflict” and “fighting”. And then looking at what the scientific field aims to achieve in dealing with the phenomenon and distinguish between different levels such as “conflict settlement”, “conflict management”, “conflict containment”, “conflict mitigation” and “conflict transformation or reform” to reach an accurate understanding of the international conflict. and civil wars. The course focuses heavily on the causes and conditions that lead to its birth, as it uses many social theories that provide an explanation and interpretation of how international conflicts and civil wars erupt and develop through different stages, such as theories of “basic human needs”, “relative deprivation”, “social identity” and ” frustration-aggression” and “imbalances.”. The course does not aim to teach students these and other theories, but to identify and criticize them and reach an understanding that is consistent with the cultural frameworks in which conflict arises.
The curriculum inputs include: the form and type of knowledge, learners’ characteristics, needs, tendencies and interests, society’s philosophy, values, hopes and aspirations. The curriculum outcomes are: knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

The Concept of the Principle of Responsibility in the Light of General International Law

Course name: The Concept of the Principle of Responsibility in the Light of General International Law

Course code: NCR102

Credit hours: 4.00

The course deals with this topic according to a plan divided into two chapters. It deals with the conditions for establishing the international responsibility of the state for the violation of human rights (chapter one), which in turn is divided into two sections, dealing with the wrongful act as a modern basis for international responsibility (the first topic), and attributing the violation of human rights The human being to the state (the second topic), while it deals in (chapter two) the actions of the international responsibility of the state for the violation of human rights, which in turn is divided into two sections, the multiplicity of methods of actions of international responsibility in facing the difficulties of moving responsibility in the field of human rights (the first topic), The results of the actions of the state’s international responsibility for violating human rights (the second topic). International responsibility is a recent topic in legal studies imposed by the rapid developments that the international community has known, and it still raises a wide debate in international jurisprudence and action. The International Law Commission of the United Nations, which has been in operation since 1961, has not yet reached the text of an international resolution on international responsibility. The importance of international responsibility lies in public international law as an essential part of every legal system. The effectiveness of this system depends on the extent of the maturity and growth of the liability rules as a tool for development, including guarantees against abuse. Indeed, some consider the responsibility rules as a key to every legal system. This is with pointing out that what hinders the development of international responsibility is the factor of ability and strength in international relations. The subject of this course is limited to the principles on which international responsibility is based, without addressing special responsibilities such as responsibilities for nuclear activities, the reduction of armaments, terrorism, or responsibility for the risks in launching spaceships. It focuses mainly on illegal international action as a modern basis, and it also includes addressing the issue of diplomatic protection as an applied aspect of the international liability claim, and finally it deals with the study of the effects of international responsibility.
The curriculum inputs include: the form and type of knowledge, learners’ characteristics, needs, tendencies and interests, society’s philosophy, values, hopes and aspirations. The curriculum outcomes are: knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Peaceful Means of Resolving International Disputes

Course name: Peaceful Means of Resolving International Disputes

Course code: NCR104

Credit hours: 4.00

The course reviews the main processes aimed at preventing, managing, containing, resolving or transforming conflict in an international context. The course will discuss theoretical assumptions about conflict and whether it is solvable or at best only for good management. It must also be questioned whether, and under what circumstances, the human community is interested in finding lasting solutions to its conflicts in the first place. Furthermore, the course covers relevant concepts, models and frameworks for understanding the working mechanisms of social conflict resolution. For example, solution processes such as peace processes, peace agreements, peacekeeping, negotiation, mediation, peacebuilding, peace implementation, national dialogue, transitional justice and reconciliation will be discussed. The course will devote ample time to the practical dimension of studying conflict transformation, such as role-playing in a negotiation process, simulating mediation processes, and problem-solving workshops. In addition, the course examines the applicability of conflict resolution processes in real world conflicts such as conflict prevention in Macedonia, peace process in Northern Ireland and Syria, mediation in Bosnia, negotiation and mediation in Northern Ireland and Palestine, military intervention in Kosovo, international intervention in Libya, Peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Bosnia, transitional justice in Iraq and Liberia, national dialogue in Yemen and Tunisia, reconciliation in South Africa and the Truth Commission in Morocco. Case studies are selected to reflect different types of conflicts such as long-standing conflicts, successfully resolved conflicts, and semi-resolved conflicts. The ultimate goal of this course is to provide students with theoretical and practical skills

The role of International Bodies and Organizations in Resolving International Conflicts and Fostering International Peace and Security

Course name: The role of International Bodies and Organizations in Resolving International Conflicts and Fostering International Peace and Security

Course code: NCR105

Credit hours: 4.00

The course is divided into two main sections: the first topic deals with the United Nations and its role in the field of international peace and security, and the second topic deals with analyzing the reality of the role played by the organization in the cases of Kuwait and Iraq, which some considered a model to be followed in the subsequent activities of the United Nations. And because the division of opinion about any role played by the United Nations is possible in connection with any crisis that it deals with, it is in the case of Kuwait and Iraq that did not deviate from the usual, but we preferred in this course to clarify the situation and resolve doubts with certainty, we hope to lay the foundations of the new international order on the pillars of peace and justice Supporting the right to complete cooperation and achieve the hoped-for prosperity for countries and peoples.
The curriculum inputs include: the form and type of knowledge, learners’ characteristics, needs, tendencies and interests, society’s philosophy, values, hopes and aspirations. The curriculum outcomes are: knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Diplomatic Negotiation Between Countries

Course name: Diplomatic Negotiation Between Countries

Course code: NCR106

Credit hours: 4.00

The course focuses on the diplomatic negotiation that takes place between states and governments, with all that it entails of mutual bargaining and concessions, as a major and important tool for settling international conflicts. Diplomatic negotiation is the cornerstone of the state’s communication with other countries. It is also the basic building block on which the state depends to secure its interests and settle its dispute and dispute with other countries in a peaceful manner based on persuasion and dialogue, away from coercion and coercion. In light of this, the structure of the course was divided into ten chapters. As for the first chapter, we devoted it to presenting a methodological framework and a theoretical conception of diplomatic negotiation between countries. As for the second chapter, we singled it out to reveal the paths of negotiation between countries, by studying negotiation approaches at the negotiating table, as well as studying Diplomatic negotiation strategies types and characteristics. As for the third chapter, we dealt with the stages of the diplomatic negotiation process, starting from the pre-negotiation stage, passing through the formula stage, or the so-called stage of agreement on the general principles of the settlement, up to the stage of details and agreement on the final settlement. As for the fourth chapter, we devoted it to planning the diplomatic negotiation process, i.e. preparing for the negotiating activity at the negotiating table. While we went in the fifth chapter to study the results of diplomatic negotiations and the resulting treaties or agreements. In the sixth and seventh chapters, we studied the principles of negotiation in the West by looking at the method of the Harvard School of negotiation, as well as studying the principles of negotiation in Islam by looking at the principles of negotiation with Ali bin Abi Talib. As for the eighth chapter, we devoted it to researching the skills and characteristics of an effective negotiator. While we went in Chapter Nine to study the negotiation process with the enemy, by explaining how countries negotiate without the presence of diplomatic relations, and finally we put in Chapter Ten a guiding framework that enables negotiators to know how countries negotiate and what are their methods at the negotiating table, given the difficulty of monitoring the negotiation methods of all countries in the world, we have deliberately studied the negotiation methods of selected international models, we have deliberately studied the American negotiation method as a model, and we have deliberately studied the Chinese negotiation method because of its importance as a model for an emerging Asian country in the international system, and as a model through which it is possible to see the Asian negotiation methods that are almost They are close because of the cultural overlap between the Asian countries that follow the culture of the high context. In addition, we deliberately studied the Iranian negotiation style, as a model for a Middle Eastern Islamic country, and it achieved many negotiating successes and breakthroughs in the field of negotiation with the major powers, and many differ about it despite the similarity of its negotiating style. Finally, we concluded the course with a set of general advice on negotiation as a way to a greater understanding and more successful practice.
The curriculum inputs include: the form and type of knowledge, learners’ characteristics, needs, tendencies and interests, society’s philosophy, values, hopes and aspirations. The curriculum outcomes are: knowledge, skills, and attitudes

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Degree: Master's Degree
Track code: MA108PE
Study method: Distance Learning
Credit hour: 60
How long it takes: 
Full time: 2 years
Part time: 4 years
Limit time: 6 years
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