Abby Koch

Course Overview: World War II was arguably the last ‘conventional’ conflict. ‘Asymmetrical’ or ‘unconventional’ confrontations have since matured and affected the greater landscape of 21^st century global society.  Global organizations and governments now face foes varying from small guerilla insurgencies to atrocious and unimaginable genocides in Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Guatemala, Rwanda, and most recently Sudan/Darfur.   Historians and political academics have attempted to define, analyze, and solve the conflicts of our time and those participating in this course will attempt to do the same.

 An attempt to understand modern conflict is futile without an attempt to understand peace. Therefore, this course will pertinently examine numerous ‘grassroots’ non-violent movements, international peace movements, the Geneva Convention and other attempts to solve conflict peacefully, diplomatically and without violence. Governmental roles will also be evaluated such as the efficiency of the United Nations (UN), UN Peacekeepers, NATO, and other regional peace-keeping organizations.