Syllabus for International Conflict Resolution
Internationell konfliktlösning
Syllabus
- 15 credits
- Course code: 2FK015
- Education cycle: Second cycle
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Main field(s) of study and in-depth level:
Peace and Conflict Studies A1N
- Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
- Established: 2007-01-24
- Established by:
- Revised: 2019-05-09
- Revised by: The Department Board
- Applies from: Autumn 2019
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Entry requirements:
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. Also required is 90 credits in peace and conflict studies, or 90 credits in a related relevant discipline and at least 30 credits in peace and conflict studies or the equivalent.
- Responsible department: Department of Peace and Conflict Research
Learning outcomes
After the course, students are expected to have acquired knowledge within the following areas:
- Different theoretical perspectives on conflict resolution.
- Understanding of central factors and conditions that influence how wars can be terminated through conflict resolution processes.
- Why and under what conditions the parties in armed conflict can move from violent interactions to durable peace.
- How different phases in conflict resolution processes interact with each other and between different levels of analysis (local, national, regional and global level).
- How to structure and classify conditions and problems on different levels of analysis and in different stages of the conflict resolution process.
- Compare conditions and problems in peace processes within and between countries in their regional and international context.
- The role that third parties and civil society can play in conflict resolution processes (e.g. through negotiations, transparency, mediation, peacekeeping operations and development assistance).
- Demonstrate insight into contemporary peace processes.
- Ability to independently analyse cases using central theories and concepts within the field of peace and conflict research.
- Insight into the particular challenges that peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts are facing in contemporary armed conflicts.
- Independently write assignments/essay within a given time frame.
Content
The course focuses on the conflict resolution process, that is the process through which conflict parties move from violent interactions to durable peace. Particular attention is given to the challenges that the parties face in each stage of this process, from the initiation of negotiations, the reaching of a settlement and the cessation of hostilities to how peace is implemented. Specific focus is given both to actors who facilitate the crafting of peace and those who seek to spoil its successful implementation. The importance of regional conditions and the international community is highlighted.
The course covers basic concepts in conflict resolution: e.g. conflict, war, conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace process, peace agreement, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. Key issues concern peacemaking during armed conflicts, mediation, ceasefires, the crafting of peace accords, the role of third parties and international organisations. The course furthermore addresses areas such as the role of peacekeepers and civil society, security guarantees, economic development, and war crimes.
Instruction
The course is taught through lectures, seminars and exercises. The course is taught in English.
Assessment
Examination and final course marks are based on performance in fulfiling the following four requirements:
- An independently written essay
- One shorter case study
- Short assignments during the course
- Active participation in lectures and seminars
Participation in all teaching is expected. Two examination opportunities are offered every semester the course is given.
The following grades are used: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G), Fail (U). Examination criteria are handed out during the course.
If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.
Syllabus Revisions
- Latest syllabus (applies from Autumn 2019)
- Previous syllabus (applies from Spring 2018)
- Previous syllabus (applies from Autumn 2013)
- Previous syllabus (applies from Spring 2011)
- Previous syllabus (applies from Autumn 2007)
Reading list
Reading list
Applies from: Spring 2021
Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.
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Ramsbotham, Oliver;
Woodhouse, Tom;
Miall, Hugh
Contemporary conflict resolution : the prevention, management and transformation of deadly conflicts
Fourth edition.: Malden, MA: Polity Press, 2016
Mandatory
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Walter, Barbara F
Committing to peace : the successful settlement of civil wars
Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2002
Mandatory
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Howard, Lise Morjé
Power in peacekeeping
Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2019
Chapter 5: Toward a more effective use of power in peacekeeping
Mandatory
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Lijphart, Arend
Democracy in plural societies :a comparative exploration
New Haven: Yale Univ. Press, cop. 1977
Consociational democracy (pp.25-52)
Mandatory
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Wallensteen, Peter;
Bjurner, Anders
Regional organizations and peacemaking : challengers to the UN?
Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2014
The future relations of the UN and the regional organizations (239-245)
Mandatory
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Davies, Sara E-;
True, Jacqui
The Oxford Handbook of Women, Peace, and Security
New York, NY: Oxford University Press, [2019]
Olsson, Louise & Theodora-Ismene Gizelis (2019) The Production of the Global Study
Mandatory
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Wallensteen, Peter
Quality peace : strategic peacebuilding and world order
New York: Oxford University Press, 2015
Chapters 3 and 8
Mandatory
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Shaw, Rosalind.;
Waldorf, Lars.;
Hazan, Pierre.
Localizing transitional justice : interventions and priorities after mass violence
Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 2010
Chapter 2, pp 27-48: Weinstein, Harvey M., Laurel E. Fletcher, Patrick Vinck, and Phuong N. Pham (2010) Stay the Hand of Justice: Whose Priorities Take Priority?
Mandatory
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Nadler, Arie.;
Malloy, Thomas E.;
Fisher, Jeffrey D.
The social psychology of intergroup reconciliation : from violent conflict to peaceful co-existence
New York ;a Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008
pp. 57-75: Gobodo-Madikizela, Pumla (2008) Transforming trauma in the aftermath of gross human rights abuses: Making public spaces intimate through the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Mandatory
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Wallensteen, Peter
Peace research : theory and practice
London: Routledge, 2011.
Chapter 9
Mandatory
A substantial number of articles and reports will be added.
Reading list revisions
- Latest reading list (applies from Spring 2021)
- Previous reading list (applies from Spring 2020)