The Generalist Approach to Conflict Resolution: A Guidebook

by Toran Hansen Salisbury University

Overview

This book outlines the generalist approach to conflict resolution. The approach was inspired by the generalist approach to social work but has now emerged in the fields of conflict resolution and peace studies. Essentially, the approach considers conflict resolution practice and scholarship very broadly. Generalist scholarship and practice are contrasted against specialized ways of conducting conflict resolution, whereby practitioners become well versed in one mode of practice or a specific theoretical orientation to scholarship. Several theories provide a foundation for this inclusive approach: conflict transformation, eco-systemic scholarship, the strengths perspective, and a new theory of social conflict, the theory of differences.

The generalist approach is intended to provide a way for conflict resolution and peace studies scholar-practitioners to help diverse parties address complex conflicts at various levels (personal to international). Generalist scholar-practitioners assist parties to comprehensively and holistically address these conflicts, in a multi-layered, multi-level fashion, but they must be comfortable with ambiguity, monitor intervention complexity, and give parties control over how their conflicts are addressed. Ultimately, this may make parties more committed to their conflict interventions and outcomes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739176337
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	12/21/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	218
File size:	553 KB

About the Author

Toran is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. He received his Ph.D. in social work from the University of Minnesota and his Master’s in conflict analysis and resolution from Nova Southeastern University. Toran has previously worked as a research associate for the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs and the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota, as well as the Institute for Child Health Policy at Nova Southeastern University. From 1999-2001, he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea, West Africa. In addition, he has over ten years of experience working with at-risk youth in Canada and the United States. Toran has also published numerous articles concerning social justice, social capital, social networks, social movements, and conflict transformation.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Boxes
Preface
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Generalist Approach
Chapter 2: Theoretical Foundations of the Generalist Approach
Chapter 3: The Role of Scholar-Practitioners in the Generalist Approach
Chapter 4: Intake and Analysis
Chapter 5: Decision-making: The Locus for and Magnitude of Desired Change (The Overall Scope)
Chapter 6: Decision-Making: Intervention Processes
Chapter 7: Decision-Making: Practice Theories, Models, and Techniques
Chapter 8: Implementation
Chapter 9: Single Systems Research Designs, Evaluation, and Follow-Up
Chapter 10: The Framework for the Generalist Approach to Conflict Resolution with Examples
Chapter 11: Challenges and Opportunities in the Generalist Approach to Conflict Resolution
Appendix 1: A sample intake form
References

Editorial Reviews

With an engaging and easy to read narrative style throughout, Hansen clearly intends this guidebook to be a working manual for practitioners and scholars alike, rather than simply a scholastic work. ... The Generalist Approach to Conflict Resolution: A Guidebook has value for students, new practitioners and experts in the field of conflict resolution. The information presented, from a strong theoretical framework to well-analyzed examples and case studies, can be helpful at any career stage to support both research and application.

ACResolution: The Quarterly Magazine of the Association for Conflict Resolution

When reading Toran Hansen’s bold and important manuscript on The Generalist Approach to Conflict Resolution, I couldn’t help but be struck by how compatible his collaborative, egalitarian and compassionate approach is to the values and strategies of the Scholarship of Engagement. By calling for scholar-practitioners to bridge the gap between the theory and practice and to operate as a “resource guide” in true partnership with conflict clients, Hansen has courageouslycalled for conflict resolvers to place as much emphasis on their diagnostic competencies as to their proposed interventions. Perhaps this book will develop the same respect for scholar-practitioners who practice the generalist “ways of doing” and “ways of being” as their esteemed counterpart General Practitioner in the Medical Profession.

Neil H. Katz

In his The Generalist Approach to Conflict Resolution, Dr. Toran Hansen issues an invitation to consider a new, broaden yet structured and scientifically sound approach to the scholarship and practice of conflict resolution: the Generalist approach. Timely and engaging, this work addresses one of the key questions which our field continues to wrestle with: is an overall approach to resolving many different kinds of conflict possible? To that end, what is the best way to assist those who come to us for guidance? Inspired by the generalist approach to social work, Hansen’s framework can help resolve a key dilemma in the field, which is providing clients with a variety of conflict resolution tools from which to choose. Hansen’s framework is compelling, structured yet flexible and will be of great use to scholars and practitioners alike.

Cheryl Duckworth

With an engaging and easy to read narrative style throughout, Hansen clearly intends this guidebook to be a working manual for practitioners and scholars alike, rather than simply a scholastic work. ... The Generalist Approach to Conflict Resolution: A Guidebook has value for students, new practitioners and experts in the field of conflict resolution. The information presented, from a strong theoretical framework to well-analyzed examples and case studies, can be helpful at any career stage to support both research and application.

ACResolution: The Quarterly Magazine of the Association for Conflict Resolution