The National Conference on Current Trends in
Conflict Resolution in Higher Education

Concurrent Session V

Creating and Building Peace and Conflict Programs: Problems and Prospects

    Over the past two decades a number of new graduate (and also some undergraduate) programs have been created with a number of academic formats and under various names (peace and conflict studies, conflict resolution studies, conflict resolution studies, and conflict transformation studies). Creating, building, and maintaining these freestanding, as well as interdisciplinary, programs have produced different challenges and opportunities depending on how the programs were conceived of and then situated within existing university structures. As a way of introducing an audience discussion and a sharing of knowledge on these matters, the presenters will discuss their individual experiences with creating and building a space for their programs.

Workshop Presenters

    Johanness "Jannie" Botes is an Assistant Professor teaching in the Negotiation and Conflict Management Master's Program at the University of Baltimore (UB).  His main areas of academic research and writing are communication and conflict (focusing on the role of the media in international conflict and conflict resolution), conflict transformation, informal third party roles, and conflict resolution in Africa. Before joining UB he was a visiting professor at Bryn Mawr College (1997-1998) and at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR) at George Mason University (1998-1999). He holds a Ph.D. from ICAR. His Master’s degree in Communication (Journalism and Public Affairs) was obtained from American University in Washington, D.C.

    Linda M. Johnston is an Assistant Professor teaching at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at  George Mason University. Her main ideas of interest are in health-related conflicts, on line learning, world view, and narrative theory. Before returning to her Alma Mater, George Mason University, Linda taught at Antioch University McGregor for two years in their Conflict Resolution Department. She has a Bachelors and Master’s degree from Michigan State University, in Clinical Nutrition and Administration, respectively.

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