Vår 2026

SVF-2058 Critical Approaches to Peace and Conflict Studies - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Senter for fredsstudier (CPS)

Type of course

The course may be taken as an elective course by students/candidates (UiT/Exchange) already enrolled in a BA program within social sciences, humanities or law. The course may also be taken as a single course.

Course overlap

SVF-1058 Introduction to Peace, Education and Development 5 ects

Course contents

The course introduces the students to the field of Peace and Conflict Studies from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective. The course will include the following modules:

Introduction: This module will include an introduction to the field of peace and conflict studies and focus on core concepts (e.g. peace, violence, war, conflict resolution and transformation) and debates in the field and the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

Peace education: This module will include approaches to peace and peace education; education, socialization and peace; peace education and conflict; humiliation and peace, non-violence as tool for conflict transformation; and pedagogy, rationality and holism.

Conflict Transformation tools: This module introduces students to the analytical tools to think critically about questions related to the possibility of peace. It may include conflict dynamics, mediation, reconciliation, DDR, transitional justice.

Peace from below, development and global transformation: This module will emphasise on the postcolonial transformation, development and humanitarianism. Topics may include local and contextual peace building (local-liberal hybrid peace), postcolonial transformation and development and humanitarian aid, and institution building.

Peace and conflict in the age of (social)media: This module focuses on othering/fake news as well as social media as a tool of conflict analysis and conflict transformation.

Gender and peace: This module analyses a gender-inclusive and holistic perspective to peace and conflict. Topics may include femininity and peace vs. masculinity and war, sexual violence in war, women in peacekeeping operations.

Admission requirements

General university admission qualifications or recognition of prior learning (realkompetanse).

Application code 9199 - Single courses at the undergraduate level.

Objective of the course

Knowledge

Overview of basic theoretical conceptual frameworks within Peace Studies, including current critical approaches

Skills

Ability to apply relevant theoretical concepts to topical debates
Ability to identify core factors causing complex social/political situations

Language of instruction

English

Teaching methods

A combination of lectures and seminars.