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76280-01 - Seminar: The Role of Emotions in the Israel-Palestine Conflict - Concepts & Methods (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Oliver Fink (oliver.fink@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course explores the complex dynamics of emotions in violent intractable intergroup conflict, utilizing the example of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Drawing on insights from social psychology and conflict studies, the course examines the multiple and nuanced - sometimes detrimental - functions of emotions in conflict escalation, but equally their potential for de-escalation and conflict transformation. In particular, students will investigate the limits and possibilities of distinct emotional mechanisms such as anger, hate, and humiliation, as well as hope, empathy, and trust. Students will familiarize themselves with a broad array of empirical mixed methods including natural language processing to understand the described dynamics at the nexus of intergroup entrenchment, collective action, and interactive conflict transformation. Overall, the course will combine social psychology discussions of intergroup conflict with empirical research, and will also draw on interdisciplinary perspectives, including those from international relations, sociology, and critical peace and conflict studies. |
| Learning objectives | Students will: - understand and be able to explain and discuss the main theoretical functions of emotional concepts in intergroup conflict, including distinct appraisals and action tendencies of specific emotions - understand and be able to explain and discuss scientific debates on emotional concepts in escalation and conflict transformation - understand social psychology approaches to intergroup conflict including interactive conflict transformation - Acquire a comprehensive knowledge of research methods in conflict settings, including transformation approaches. |
| Bibliography | Halperin, E. (2015). Emotions in Conflict: Inhibitors and Facilitators of Peacemaking. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315850863 Fink, O., Leshem, O.A. & Halperin, E. (2022). Oppression and Resistance – Uncovering the Relations between Anger, Humiliation and Violent Action in Asymmetric Intergroup Conflict. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict. 15(3), 210-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/17467586.2022.2112408 Fink, O., Graf, W., Subrahmanya, S., Salecha, A., & Eichstaedt, J.C. (2024). The Language of Conflict Transformation: Assessing Psychological Change Patterns in Israeli-Palestinian Track Two Interactive Problem Solving. Negotiation and Conflict Management Research. 17(2), 130-152. https://doi.org/10.34891/svxv-s665 Additional articles will be uploaded on ADAM. A detailed seminar program, list of assignments, and essay template will be emailed to you at the beginning of the semester. You will receive an email with the essential readings before the relevant seminar meeting, all readings and resources are available on ADAM. |
| Comments | All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants will be limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science. |
| Admission requirements | All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants will be limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 14.15-15.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
Dates
| Modules |
Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften M.A. (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Regionaler Fokus M.A. (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Themen der Nahoststudien (Bachelor's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Themen der Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Vertiefung Politikwissenschaft M.A. (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Module: Conflicts and Peacebuilding (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) Specialization Module Global Europe: Peace and Conflict Studies (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | • An oral presentation in groups (2–3 members) on one of the course topics (40%). • A commentary on another group’s presentation in the class (20%). • Two written exams (20% each). |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Politikwissenschaft |