Conflict, democracy and facilitation
Course description
This course explores environmental and sustainability conflicts and how collaborative approaches, with a focus on dialogue and facilitation, can help manage them. Through experiential learning and a group project, students learn to analyse stakeholder tensions, design multi-stakeholder processes, and reflect on their own experiences with conflict and facilitation.
Entry Requirements
Course facts
MX0148, Conflict, democracy and facilitation, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Camilo Calderon, 2024-11-05
Valid from : Spring semester 2026 (2026-01-19)
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Environmental Science
Grading Scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
Objectives
he aim of this course is to develop understanding on the role of democracy and facilitation in the design and facilitation of constructive group process and dialogue in order to manage conflicts and tensions within and between groups and organizations. The course addresses both the potential as well as limits of collaborative approaches to dealing with conflicts, and discusses the role of conflict in social change.
After completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Discuss theories about the social process and causes of conflict and factors affecting the constructivity and destructivity in conflict processes, social relations and interaction between individuals, groups and organizations
- Discuss theories about democracy, collaborative planning and power, and describe how they relate to theories about conflict, conflict management and facilitation
- Suggest conflict management and facilitation strategies to intervene in a conflict situation
- Reflect on his/her own role in social processes and in the conflict dynamics
Content
Subject-related content
The pedagogical idea of this course is based in experiential learning. In the beginning of the course, theories about the social process of conflict and factors affecting efficiency, knowledge use, constructivity and destructivity in group processes, and interaction between individuals, groups and organizations are presented. Methods for conflict management and project coordination are presented.
In the second part of the course students carry out a project in groups. The aim of the project is twofold: 1) To investigate a natural resource management situation and the potential social conflicts with help of different methods 2) To observe and reflect about the social processes and the management procedure within the own project group and between the own group and other social systems, such as other student groups, teachers and the actors participating in the investigation. The project work result in a content report describing the investigated situation, and in a process report describing working procedure and social processes. In the individual exam students are applying formal theories when analyzing case studies, methods and own experience.
Teaching formats
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used:
Lectures, literature studies, written assignments, project work, workshops, seminars, proficiency training, presentations.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
Critical thinking, problem solving, oral communication, written communication, teamwork, ability to work autonomously, plan and manage time.
The following components are mandatory:
See course schedule.
Collaboration with the surrounding community takes place through:
Project work; guest lectures.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
- Passed written or oral exam(s) - Active participation in mandatory activities - Active participation in project work - Passed written and oral presentation of project work For further information, please refer to the course schedule.
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of Urban and Rural Development
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Rural Development and Natural Resource Management - Master's Programme
- EnvEuro - European Master in Environmental Science
- Environmental Communication and Management - Master's Programme
- Agriculture Programme - Rural Development
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Comparision and synthesis | 5.0 | 0005 |
| Conflict and facilitation competence | 7.0 | 0203 |
| Individual reflection | 3.0 | 0006 |
The Course Replaces
MX0113, MX0117, MX000135
Other Information
2025-12-19
Welcome!!
Welcome to the Conflict, Democracy and Facilitation (CDF) course! We look forward to meeting you all. The course starts on Monday, 19 January, 9.00am (sharp)in Room - Loftets bankettsal. Address: Duhrevägen 8, 756 51 Uppsala. Enter the building by crossing the bridge.
On this day you will meet course teachers, will be provided with all the practicalities of the course, and register to it. Hence, it is very important that you attend this session.
The Canvas room link on the right side of this page will lead you to the course page where you will find basic information about the course including the schedule. Note that there are several mandatory activities and that minor changes may occur to the schedule once the course begins.
The Canvas page is the online platform where you will find all course information and documents. The full content of the page will be published latest on Friday 16th of January. Try to log in or check your SLU email for an invitation. If you cannot access the Canvas page or do not have an SLU email account, please contact it-stod@slu.se and ask them to help you get access to it. You will get detailed information on how to use Canvas on the first day of the course.
Note that access to the Canvas course page does not mean you are registered to the course. You need to attend the course in person in order to be fully registered.
For questions or comments about the course please contact camilo.calderon@slu.se
We look forward to meeting you all!
CDF Teachers