This course will critically examine the theoretical and practical issues surrounding conflict resolution and peace studies. The course will begin by exploring the range of different understandings of the roots of violence, the contemporary manifestations of conflict, and the key actors in conflicts such as elites, constituencies, civil society, soldiers, mercenaries, spoilers and outside actors. We will then investigate key approaches in the conflict resolution and peace studies field – such as conflict prevention, conflict management, conflict resolution and conflict transformation (and the relationship between these approaches). The course will also examine the relationship conflict resolution has to peacekeeping, peace-enforcing and post-conflict situations. Integral to these discussions will be the application of theories explored to case-studies such as Israel-Palestine, South Africa, Northern Ireland, East Timor, Sri Lanka and Rwanda and discussions of the reality of working in the conflict resolution field.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:  

1. Discuss key theories relating to the origins of violence and conflict
2. Demonstrate knowledge of key theories relating to typologies of conflict
3. Demonstrate an understanding of major debates concerning the various approaches in the conflict resolution field, including: conflict prevention, management, resolution and transformation.
4. Discuss how to apply peace and conflict studies theory to real-life case-studies 

20%: in-class exercises (learning outcome 4)

50%: 4,000 word research essay (learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4)

30%: 2,000 word take-home exam (learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4) 

Contact hours will consist of a three hour workshop per week. Workshops will run for 11 weeks. There will be an additional two weeks of self-directed study. There is an expectation of an additional 3 hours per week of independent study.

None

None

An e-brick will be provided for this course. Indicative texts include:

• Ramsbotham, Woodhouse and Miall Contemporary Conflict Resolution (London: Wiley, 2011)
• Berghof Handbook to Conflict Transformation, http:www.berghof-handbook.net/cf.htm
• Galtung, Transcend and Transform (Paradigm Publishers, 2004)
• Lederach, Little Book of Conflict Resolution (London: Good Books, 2003)
• Azar, Management of Protracted Social Conflict: Theory and Cases (Aldershot: Dartmouth, 1990)