Howard Community College now offers an A.A. degree in conflict resolution.  For program information, contact  Kathy Rockefeller, coordinator, DH/ELB-336, at 410-772-4360.

View the degree curriculum...

Course descriptions

CRES-155 Introduction to Conflict Resolution: Science and Art
3 Credits (Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues Core)
This course is designed to introduce students to varying perspectives on conflict and different strategies for resolving conflict.  Conflict will be explored in several different contexts, including intergroup conflict, cross-cultural conflict, and international conflict, with an emphasis on interpersonal conflict.  Most importantly, students will be asked to reflect on their own style of conflict resolution and the pertinence of the material covered to conflict resolution in their own lives.  Course content will include experiential learning and role play.
3 hours weekly
Also listed as HEED-155.

CRES-201 Conflict and Process
3 Credits
Introduces students to the distinction between the content of conflict and the process of conflict management and resolution.  Considers the range of processes available from both theoretical and practical viewpoints.  Emphasizes role play and application of skills in negotiation, mediation, and facilitation.
3 hours weekly
Prerequisite: CRES-155

CRES-202 Dynamics of Social Conflict
3 Credits
This course will explore the social conflict that results from problems such as structural racism, disproportionate minority confinement in our prisons, economic inequality, and gender discrimination, which continue to be social problems that define United States culture.  As such, these problems have resulted in not only the attention of observers as noted by cases, but also in major social movements that have had varying degrees of success in making sustainable improvements in human interaction in our society.  These four problems in particular, because of the irresoluteness of their nature, often underlie conflict at the interpersonal, neighbor-to-neighbor, community, political jurisdiction, and/or ethnic/identity group level.  Particular attention will be paid to case studies that illuminate racism, gender discrimination, and class inequality.  Students will generate potential resolutions to cases through the application of dispute resolution theories and techniques.
3 hours weekly
Prerequisite: CRES-201

CRES-225 Sociology of Conflict and Nonviolence
3 Credits
This course examines why humans engage in conflict, why violence is employed to resolve conflict, and the nature and practice of nonviolent conflict resolution.  Students will explore the social forces that produce conflict—including cultural, economic, and psychological—and the arenas in which conflict occurs, including family, community, nation, and world.  Within an interdisciplinary framework (using social sciences and humanities), students will learn the theoretical, historical, practical, and political aspects of violent and nonviolent conflict.  Special attention will be given to emerging social and global conflicts, including examination of how or if these conflicts might be resolved in a nonviolent manner.
3 hours weekly
Also listed as SOCI-225.
Prerequisite: SOCI-101 or SOCI-102

For information about the 40-hour Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution Training and other noncredit courses in conflict resolution, visit our Division of Continuing Education web page.