The study of politics revolves around conflict and compromise. Several scholars examine strategies used in the competitive quest for power or other values. Others study psychological factors of identity that influence group conflicts. Theorists attempt to develop models of decision making and political behavior that help explain the general processes of conflict. The course presents a set of tools useful in the study of conflict processes, and examines the importance of gender in conflict. Further, we examine a number of case studies to compare how conflicts develop in different settings. An important aspect of the course is a research project in which you will analyze a conflict of your choice.