Course description

This course provides an advanced introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies, providing a broad overview of the different approaches to the field, the global context and emerging trends, and contemporary practices and fields of debate. In particular, it considers different theories about the causes of war and violence and the trends and patterns in violent conflict. Students will also examine global efforts to restrain war and conflict through collective and common security, ethical and legal restraints on war and institutions such as the UN and regional organizations. Finally, the course will turn to specific practices and politics associated with the pursuit of peace and management of conflict such as conflict prevention, the delivery of humanitarian aid, transitional justice, peacemaking and conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peacekeeping and some of the field¿s major thematic agendas including women, peace and security and the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The course will illustrate these themes through engagement with contemporary cases such as the civil wars in Syria and Iraq, international operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, the pursuit of justice in Rwanda and Bosnia, and humanitarian responses to crises in the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Archived offerings