Description:

 You must prepare an individual essay on conflict management/resolution and the contemporary armed conflict that your group discussed in your seminar presentation. In the essay you will need to:

1. Give a brief overview of the major obstacles to conflict resolution with your chosen conflict (AFGHANISTAN POST TALIBAN CONFLICT) (What are the major problems or hurdles that would have to be overcome for the conflict to be resolved?).
2. Identify the most appropriate type of conflict management or resolution interventions that you think should apply in this particular conflict (In your judgment, which are the interventions you think would work best for this conflict? Would you choose two, three or more?  Which would come first?  Which aspects of the conflict would each intervention be focused on?  Would any of the interventions be simultaneous, rather than sequential, and why?).
3. Explain the reasoning behind your choices of interventions (Why did you choose the intervention type/s that you did, instead of others? Is there a history of different types of interventions being used – successfully or otherwise – with this conflict? Are your interventions SMART – Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-Related?).
4. Identify the actions (consistent with your chosen interventions) that could be taken to commence the process of change in the conflict situation (What would be the first steps to take with your chosen interventions? In what order should these steps be taken, and why? What makes the sequence important?).
5. Explain how you would attempt to generate dialogue between the combatants and build empathy between the parties (Are there any actions or gestures that could be taken to help in positively re-building this relationship?  Are there ‘circuit-breaker’ actions that would re-energize or revive dialogue?  Any symbolic gestures that could be invoked? Are there particular individuals whose talents and capabilities could be utilized in this process?).
6. Examine the major obstacles you would perceive to the successful implementation of the interventions you have chosen (What are the things most likely to go wrong or be impediments to the success of your chosen interventions?).

Please use headings to sign-post and structure your essay.  Your essay should be no more than 2,500 words long excluding references and headings.

Please ensure you complete the Essay Requirement for the assignment.

Essay Requirement

You are required to use a minimum of 4 academic sources (i.e. books, journal articles) in your essay. You can use these academic sources in whatever proportions suit you – i.e. 3 books and 1 journal article, 2 journal articles and 2 books, or 3 journal articles and 1 book – just as long as you have the minimum of 4 academic sources. You must cite the academic sources accurately in your reference list.

Please note that encyclopaedias and dictionaries are NOT counted for the 4 academic sources, and neither are newspapers or popular periodicals.

Reminder: You will need to process your essay through Turnitin. Your essay will not be marked until you have completed this process.

Essays must be well structured.  They should have the following:

  An introduction that sets the scene for the reader and foreshadows what is to follow. In your introduction you can outline your planned objective, set out the points you intend to argue, or summarize the main ideas that you plan to develop.

  A main body in which you develop and sustain your argument or ideas in a logical and consistent fashion. All arguments should be supported with evidence. You should demonstrate your understanding of the essay question by analyzing appropriately the important concepts involved in the topic. Material presented in the body of the essay should be relevant to the essay question. A range of appropriate sources should be used and referenced.

  A conclusion which summarizes the key points of your essay and which draws together the thread of your argument.

Written expression is very important in essays. Information should be communicated clearly, concisely, and grammatically. Students should remember that they must write in complete sentences. Note format is unacceptable in tertiary level essays.

Marking Criteria:

Criteria for Assessment of Essays

A grades:

Students will be rewarded with an A grade in cases where they have:

1. Responded fully and effectively to the assigned questions.
   1. Presented a well-researched critical analysis of the conflict and chosen interventions.
   1. Provided adequate supporting arguments with reasons, evidence, and examples.
   1. Invoked discerning sources when appropriate and correctly documented and cited those sources.
   1. Submitted an essay that is focused, well organized and unified.
   1. Presented a conclusion that succinctly restates critical issues and ties together the arguments made in the body of the essay.
   1. Submitted an essay that is free of errors in grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling and format.
   1. Maintained a level of excellence throughout, and
   1. Shown originality and creativity in realizing 1-6.

B grades:

Achieves 1-6 completely and demonstrates a good understanding of issues raised in the course but lacks originality or creativity.

C grades:

Achieves 1-6 adequately and demonstrates competence but contains some errors or omissions.  The essay may be lacking in critical reflection.