“Man’s greatest discovery is not fire,

nor the wheel, nor the combustion engine…. Man’s greatest discovery is teamwork by agreement”.

– B. Brewster Jennings

 

Unit 1

1 .Read the tongue– twisters as fast as you can

a) A sailor went to sea.

To see what he could see.

And all he could see,

Was sea, sea, sea.

b) I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won’t wish the wish you wish to wish.

2. Read and translate the text

Сonflictology as a multidiscipline

Conflictology is defined as the way of understanding conflicts assuming all related areas, such as conflict resolution, transformation and management, while at the same time it is based on the principles of non-violence as a paradigm opposed to the conviction that violence is the way to resolve conflicts. It is, therefore, a form of cross-disciplinary, comprehensive and synthetic knowledge. Conflictology is the culmination of knowledge that helps us understand conflicts, crises, violence of all kinds, and, simultaneously, the compendium of transformation, intervention and aid techniques, resources and procedures.

Conflictology is a plural, cross-disciplinary and open discipline. It is not limited by closed laws or training programmes, nor is it the domain of a specific organisation. The fact is that, as well as psychologists, sociologists, teachers, lawyers and philosophers, it is also of interest to doctors, biologists, diplomats, the police, members of the armed forces, engineers and many more, since conflicts can be found anywhere, at every level and in every sphere.

Open to all fields of knowledge, as well as social sciences such as psychology, sociology, history, politics and anthropology, it also includes biology, neurology, philosophy, and even mathematics. The importance of knowing how to resolve conflicts should not be restricted to one occupation, but should be part of the culture of everyday life. Specialists should only have to intervene in processes involving conflict where the seriousness or complexity of the situation exceeds the ability of people to find a solution for themselves.

It has even been proven that, in the field of violent conflicts and criminal activity, the use of conflictology is more effective than traditional police and judicial systems, which by definition are used to defend established power rather than justice.

Conflictologists learn mediation, negotiation and conciliation techniques, about the bases of neurobiology in violence, and the philosophical foundations of conflicts and peace. Conflictology, which is a ynonym for conflict resolution and conflict transformation s established multi - disciplinary occupations, has its roots in pacifism and non-violence as a moral approach, political system and expression of life. And the aim is clearly to end violence, achieve reconciliation and be able to live in peace. Conflictology is, therefore, basically a pragmatic, applicable and, above all, vital occupation.

3. Answer the questions:

What is conflictology? Give a brief description.

What are its basic principles?

What is the purpose of conflictology?

Why is conflictology an open discipline?

What are the related sciences of conflictology?

What techniques should a conflictologist learn?

Is conflictology a vital occupation? Why?