Peace and Conflict Transformation - master

The Master's degree programme in Peace and Conflict Transformation (MPCT) offers interdisciplinary insights into the nature and causes of conflicts, and analytical skills for handling conflicts by peaceful means.  

The programme draws upon the history and geography of the city of Tromsø in the relatively peaceful High North to bring innovation to peace and conflict studies. With a long history of working towards peaceful co-existence among local ethnic and cultural groups, the region provides a unique setting for the study of ways of transforming relationships between individuals, groups and institutions from destructive to constructive bonds.  

Teaching is intensive the first year, as core debates and perspectives are addressed through compulsory courses.

The second year focuses mainly on Master's Thesis projects. These thesis projects are designed by the students themselves, depending on their diverse interests and experiences. It is possible to collect data from any part of the world to support such self-selected Master's Thesis projects.

Upon completion of the programme, the candidate should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

Advanced knowledge of:

• the history and evolution of peace and conflict studies as a distinct field of study
• the key theories, debates and issues informing peace and conflict studies
• the nature and causes of violent conflict at all levels of human interaction - interpersonal, intergroup, community, national and global
• the diverse mechanisms for transforming conflictual relationships between individuals, groups and institutions into constructive bonds
• the diverse mechanisms for handling the consequences of violent conflict
• the existing state of knowledge in closely related fields of study in an overall multi-disciplinary perspective

Skills

Capacity to:

• identify and review relevant literature on specific issues
• formulate research questions and select appropriate theoretical and methodological frameworks
• design and carry out an independent research project, which involves the use of diverse data sources, under supervision
• collect, collate and interpret large amounts of data and communicate results effectively
• assess the quality of theoretical and methodological perspectives underlying other scholarly works

Competence

Ability to:

• present and discuss aspects of one's own work effectively at academic and public arenas
• read and obtain a nuanced understanding of texts, and provide critical and constructive feedback
• analyze relevant academic and research ethical problems
• apply knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects
• contribute to new thinking and innovation processes

Admission to the Master's Programme in Peace and Conflict Transformation requires a Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualifications, with a minimum of 80 ECTS within social sciences, humanities, law or education. An average grade equivalent to C or better within the Norwegian grading system is required.

Applicants must enclose a statement of purpose (maximum of two pages). This statement must include the purpose for and interest in pursuing the Master's degree programme (i.e. relating prior academic achievements and professional experiences to the core concerns of the programme). There is no need for recommendation letters.

Entry into the programme is competitive, based on academic qualifications (educational background) and a statement of purpose.

Set curriculum makes a fulltime study for 2 years, approximately 1500-1800 workhours per year.

Activities are lectures, seminars, student presentations and peer reviews, individual supervision, excursions, and guest lectures.

The teaching and learning methods are problem-based, i.e. using problems and issues informing everyday life as teaching materials. The teaching involves lectures, seminars and self-readings. The multiple teaching methods are designed to facilitate the stuents' problem-solving capabilities. Every student will be assigned a thesis supervisor in the first year of study. Supervision is given through seminars and individual tutorials.

English

Students are encouraged to go abroad to do fieldwork, and the programme offers financial support to that end.

Electives may be taken at our partner universities. Updated information on relevant courses available is offered by the programme administration. Exchange requires a sojourn of at least three months.

Partner institutions are:

• Hamburg University, ISFH, Germany
• American School Central Asia, Division of Social Sciences, Kyrgyzstan
• Petrozavodsk State University, Institute of History, Political and Social Studies, Russia
• Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Japan
• Umeå University, Department of Political Science, Sweden