Teaching Conflict Resolution through General Education at University: Preparing Students to Prevent or Resolve Conflicts in a Pluralistic Society

Abstract

This research stems from an appreciation of ethnic diversity among university students, and the awareness that differences can result in verbal or physical conflicts. University lecturers have an important role to play in helping prevent and resolve student conflicts. Hence, they are required to create a climate conducive to teaching and learning, where what is taught has meaning in the student’s life. In the present research, we focused on “Civic Education”- a course meant to create awareness among students on the importance of nationalism, national identity and peaciful living within society from the Indonesian perspective. To establish how university education can help to develop students into good conflict managers and to understand how they can solve disputes arising from the differences in opinion, this research was carried out in two stages: the first stage involved preliminary information gathering with a view to designing a model for teaching conflict resolution. While the second stage was the implementation phase of the conflict resolution teaching model. The model entailed discussions, practical problem solving skills, and role-playing. The activities carried out comprised of reviewing the literature and course syllabus, collecting information, administering questionnaires, carrying out interviews and finally formulating the model. The interviews were conducted at the campuses of universities prone to conflicts. The researchers employed a qualitative research approach, with the help of a case study method. Data collection techniques comprised of questionnaires, interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings revealed that: 1) Lecturers lack knowledge and skills concerning conflict resolution and prevention among students; and 2) It was established that the implementation of the conflict resolution model has not been effective among students. Because they do not understand the stages involved in a peaceful conflict resolution or prevention process. Keywords: conflict resolution, diversity, higher education, Indonesia, social harmony