Solving the Impossible

This term Maliha and Selina are trying to solve the impossible. That’s right, we said it. Our class looks at the historical, philosophical, and psychological aspects of conflict management, particularly in regards to intractable conflicts. In addition to readings - on the themes of visual mapping, non-violent resistance, psychological trauma, the nature of violence and conflicts, and the nature of intractability - we also engage in periodic mediation role-plays to hone our negotiation skills. The big projects of the term include individual comprehensive case studies on an intractable conflict somewhere in the world as well as a collective overhaul of the EPA’s communication system with our professor Susan Sgorbati. 

If you had to pick an intractable conflict anywhere in the world, what would it be? What does intractability mean to  you? How would you go about solving it? Comment below if you have thoughts. 

Some of the intractable conflicts we are working with include the case of natural gas exportation in Bolivia and post financial crisis class action lawsuits. Also of grave importance to us is the magic cookie bar shortage in the dining hall.

-Maliha ‘14 and Selina ‘15

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