Conflict and Dispute Resolution Program Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Conflict and Dispute Resolution Program Theses and Dissertations by Author "Baxter, Diane"

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    "A Time to be Tough, a Time to be Tender:" Exploring the Paradigms and Effects of Masculinities in Post-Conflict Northern Ireland
    (University of Oregon, 2018-04-10) Lada, Jenna; Baxter, Diane
    This thesis examines the paradigms of masculinities during and after Northern Ireland’s conflict to understand how societal transition from intrastate conflict impacts males’ identities and mental health. Focusing on fieldwork conducted predominately in Derry/Londonderry and applying masculinity theories, this thesis explores the experiences of males aged 29 to 40 who grew up during the 1990s’ peace process. Social and mental health professionals and community and youth workers have expressed concern for the mental health and well-being of this population of men, as well as young men born after the peace process. With this concern in mind, this thesis argues that the continuous presence of contested images of masculinity that existed prior to the conflict and that emerged during the conflict, along with the cultural practice of silence, has resulted in an ambiguous understanding of masculinity in the post-conflict era, and has had a negative impact on males’ mental health.
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    Constructing Jerusalem: A Palestinian Digital Discourse
    (University of Oregon, 2021-04-27) Campbell, Ian; Baxter, Diane
    The following interdisciplinary research investigates digital communication using a constructivist interpretation for conflict analysis. President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel formed the basis for the research inquiry of Palestinian digital modes of response. International law remains relevant to the background understanding of this research, albeit outside the scope. Data from pro-Palestinian media, translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (M.E.M.R.I.) and Palestinian Media Watch (P.M.W.), provided the sources for digital content analysis. Research findings uncovered a communication matrix consisting of five themes and organizational concepts produced through 15 conflict storylines that provide a qualitative understanding of the politics of humiliation in response to an epoch Jerusalem discourse. Digital communication interventions based on research outcomes provide insight for practicing empathy in support of digital literacy to mitigate future conflict, communicate diverging views, and employ best-practices for dialogue in digital spaces.
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    Exploring the Intersection of Collective Identity and Peacebuilding: a Case Study of Kids4Peace Jerusalem
    (University of Oregon, 2020-09-24) Diamond, Laura; Baxter, Diane
    This study examines the experience of Palestinian and Israeli youth involved in a coexistence organization Kids4Peace Jerusalem. This qualitative research investigates the questions: 1) What is the interaction between collective identity and experience in K4P? 2) In what ways do young people benefit or fail to benefit from Kids4Peace? 3) How do the larger power structures and power asymmetries impact youth perceptions of their experience in Kids4Peace? The research explores the way in which collective identities of participants of Kids4Peace interact with individuals’ experiences to produce group-specific results in regards to individual and group goals for contact, emotional themes, and responses to dialogue and programming, perceptions of power and peace. The findings detect a difference in perceptions of the conflict, power, and the meaning of peace.
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    Framing Peace and Violence in Intractable Conflict: Towards an Understanding of Perceptions in Palestinian Universities
    (University of Oregon, 2013-10-03) Palm, Alex; Baxter, Diane
    This thesis explores the perceptions of Palestinian university students on topics of peace with Israel and armed or violent conflict engagement strategies. By relying on Frame Analysis literature, this research describes how respondents currently frame these issues and what has influenced the formation of these frames. Using data gathered over a period of three months through a survey and focus group interviews, I identify four dominant frames of peace expressed by respondents. Data were collected from 260 survey respondents and 160 interviewees. I use the data to show different levels of desire for peace with Israel and support for armed conflict engagement based on the way that individuals defined peace. Respondents were pessimistic about peace with Israel and supportive of violent engagement with Israel. Participants who defined peace negatively expressed these sentiments more frequently. Interviewees expressed several grievances against Israeli policies that influence their opinions on peace and violence.
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    Israeli Rejection of the Arab Peace Initiative: Political Climate and Public Perceptions
    (University of Oregon, 2015-01-14) Zeumer, Mathias; Baxter, Diane
    The Arab Peace Initiative (former Saudi Initiative) was officially proposed by Saudi Arabia and has been (re-)endorsed by all 22 member states of the Arab League since 2002. Israel has not officially responded to the API but rather has generally ignored and by default rejected it. This thesis examines the reasons for the Israeli rejection by analyzing the structure of the Israeli government in relation to the position of the prime minister, both normatively and descriptively, and examining public opinion as a potential enabler or constraint on policymaking. It also explores mechanisms such as threat perceptions and framing to highlight cognitive influences that negatively impacted serious consideration of the API. Qualitative interviews with expert Israelis and Arabs contribute to a deeper understanding of the Israeli perspective of the API's shortcomings. The API is unlikely to be implemented under this current government unless Israeli public opinion significantly changes in its favor.
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    Jerusalem: Boundaries, Spaces, and Heterotopias of Conflict
    (University of Oregon, 2017-05-01) Bush, Catherine; Baxter, Diane
    This paper aims to tell many different stories about life in Jerusalem. It is, in part, about the human suffering that exists under Israeli occupation. It is about the legitimacy of powerful narratives, despite inaccuracies and contradictions. It is about the resilience and tenacity of various communities on either side of a complex conflict. But primarily, this is a paper about borders: both physical and intangible boundaries that divide and define various communities in Jerusalem. Boundaries reveal a society through their construction, destruction, and definition of space. Because borders are demonstrated through anecdote, I examine boundaries largely through ethnography, exploring four specific types of boundaries and spaces: physical-political boundaries, boundaries based on cultural identity, gendered spaces, and heterotopias. Political and social shifts occur on boundaries where contact, conflict, and compromise exist. By examining sites that are particularly vulnerable to transition, we can better understand societal change and affect genuine resolution.
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    The Application and Effects of Service Dog Training by Inmates to Self-Perception and Self-Other Overlap as a Rehabilitative Approach to Incarceration
    (University of Oregon, 2016-11-21) Aufderheide, Carmaleta; Baxter, Diane
    Prison Animal Programs that bring inmates and dogs together consistently report improvements to inmates’ self-esteem, ability to empathize, and helping behaviors with no understanding of why these improvements occur. With similar improvement documented in relationship closeness literature, this research examines the felt inmate dog connection and self-reported closeness as a possible explanation for the three reported benefits. Introducing relationship closeness scales that substitute a dog for another person, 37 inmate handlers at three correctional facilities completed survey and interview questions measuring self-esteem, self-expansion, and self-other (dog) overlap.Research findings strongly support that inmate-dog connectivity is consistent with documented dyadic human connectivity to close family and friends. The self-reported connectivity between handler and dog is furthermore suggested to strongly influence the three areas of improvement with additional research recommended. Findings also suggest that working with dogs in prison initiates a healing or restorative process for both inmate handlers and the outside community.