autumn 2020
SVF-3021 Integrated Peace and Conflict Studies - 20 ECTS

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: June 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester.

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries: October 1st for the spring semester and April 15th for the autumn semester.


Type of course

The course is compulsory for Master's degree students in Peace and Conflict Transformation (MPCT), but also open to other Master's students.

Admission requirements

Students, who are not registered for the Master`s Degree Programme in Peace and Conflict Transformation (MPCT) must have a Bachelor`s degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences with an average grade equivalent to C or better in the Norwegian grading system .

Course content

The course focuses on the central philosophical and theoretical debates regarding peace, violence and conflict, and provides the foundation for the critical analysis of these phenomena from different academic perspectives.

 

The course serves as an introduction to the field of peace and conflict studies and illuminates key issues and problems connected with contemporary peace research. Drawing from different theoretical approaches and empirical examples, the course highlights different ways for critically reflecting on various aspects of peace, violence and conflict. To this end, the course is divided into three distinct interconnected components: First, it provides an introduction and comprehensive overview of the historical roots, key concepts, theories, and trends in peace and conflict research. Second, it integrates academic approaches (from humanities, social sciences and law) to the study of peace and conflict, and third it illustrates these approaches with relevant case studies from various geographical regions.


Objectives of the course

Students who have successfully completed the course should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

  • Have an overview and understanding of the broad issues and philosophical debates underlying the field of peace and conflict studies
  • Become familiar with the core concepts and theories in peace and conflict studies
  • Have an understanding of peace and conflict studies as a distinct and an applied field of study

Analytical understanding:

  • Have the ability to critically review the nature and causes of inter-personal, inter-group and inter-state conflicts and the related peace-building strategies
  • Have the ability to critically reflect on the evolution and operations of Western political institutions and issues raised with their use in the contemporary global order
  • Have the ability to critically review the international political economy - ideologies and attitudes towards violent conflicts, war and peace
  • Have the ability to review the interplay between international law, regional bodies (EU) and peace

Skills and competences:

  • Capable of exploring the contextual issues underlying conflict sources, processes and transformation conflict of violent conflicts
  • Capable of exploring competing perspectives on violent conflicts and resolution, including non-western ways of understanding and responding to conflict
  • Capable of relating theoretical and methodological frameworks from a variety of disciplines to violent conflicts and peace processes at all levels of human interaction (interpersonal, national and international)
  • Capable of taking responsibility for one's own learning by working independently towards the realization of the course objectives

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

There will be a mix of lectures and seminar discussions. The course is to be evaluated by the SSL forum each semester the course is offered as well as in an anonymous online evaluation every second time the course is offered.

Assessment

Candidates will write a home examination of 8000 words (approx. 20 pages) within two weeks on a set of given topics. An oral exam will also be conducted to assess the candidate's knowledge of aspects of the submitted essay and the course readings. The oral exam may adjust the grade for the essay. Grading is on the scale of A to F, where F=Fail. The course is open for re-sit examination in the following spring semester.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 20
  • Course code: SVF-3021
  • Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet