Conflict Resolution Major - Bachelor of Arts

Study conflict resolution and learn to identify causes of conflict, and develop practical negotiation, mediation and facilitation skills.

Conflict resolution is an essential skill for many fields. Wherever there are people, companies or states, there are differences. Conflict resolution explores how to overcome these differences and reach a peaceful settlement at an interpersonal, community, organisational and international level.

You learn through case studies, role play scenarios and visits from guest speakers who share their views on current issues and approaches. Our passionate lecturers draw from international experiences and include best practice models.

This is part of the Bachelor of Arts.

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What you study
Career opportunities
Related programmes

Courses cover multidisciplinary perspectives on conflict resolution and a wide range of examples including the Treaty of Waitangi. This major draws on the disciplines of psychology, political studies and sociology.

You identify causes of conflict (systemic, structural, inter-personal), explore different approaches to conflict resolution, develop a basic understanding of human rights, and gain practical skills of conflict negotiation, mediation and facilitation.

Core courses

All students in the Bachelor of Arts complete core courses. In this major, you study:

COMM570 Academic Communication
CLSY504 Knowledge and Inquiry
CLSY500 Culture and Society

Conflict Resolution courses

Courses you could take over your three years of study include:

PSYC580 Introduction to Psychology A
SOSC582 Social Thinking
SOSC583 Social Institutions
PHIL680 Ethics and Society
CONF681 Conflict Resolution and Human Rights
HIST690 Te Tiriti O Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi
CONF680 Principles of Conflict Resolution
POLS681 War and Peace
SOSC780 Multicultural Communities
SOSC787 Diversity, Power and Discrimination
CRIM782 Understanding Restorative Justice
POLS781 International Relations
CONF780 Negotiation and Mediation

Workplace experience

Workplace experience (Work Integrated Learning) is the final part of your degree and takes a full semester. This is a supervised work placement related to your major(s), for an organisation of your choice.

Recent placements included:

Auckland Council
Aotearoa NZ Peace and Conflict Studies Centre Trust
Community Organisations
Human Rights Foundation
Family Focus Rotorua
National Foundation for the Deaf
Paul Diver Associates
Safer Aotearoa Family Violence Prevention Network
The Fono
The Peace Foundation

Child, Youth and Family
Global Peace and Justice
International peace, justice organisations and bodies dedicated to conflict resolution
Lobby groups
Local councils
Ministry of Social Development
New Zealand Peace Foundation
New Zealand Police
Peace Movement Aotearoa
Political parties
Unions

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Conflict Resolution Careers

Other majors in the Bachelor of Arts

Key features

A unique, integrated approach to solving conflict
Wide-ranging conflict resolution skills, including negotiation, mediation and facilitation
Workplace experience in your final semester

See yourself as

A mediator and negotiator
A problem-solver
A communicator
Empathetic and calm
A team player

Great graduatesAngie SunBachelor of ArtsThere has been conflict throughout history, whether between nations or on a personal level, says Angie Sun who studied a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution.There has been conflict all throughout history, whether between nations or on a personal level, says Angie Sun who studied a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution with a minor in social sciences. As a resolution coordinator for FairWay Resolution, Angie helps families through the mediation process. She says she credits her time at AUT for helping her find such a rewarding career path.

Great graduatesSarah VercoeCourt Registry Officer, Ministry of Justice, ChristchurchBachelor of ArtsShe has always been fascinated by crime and justice, says AUT alumna Sarah Vercoe who completed a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Criminology.She has always been fascinated by crime and justice, says AUT alumna Sarah Vercoe who completed a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Criminology. Now working as a court registry officer in Christchurch, she loves being able to interact with legal professionals and customers from a range of departments on a daily basis.

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.