General provisions

The course is offered within the Master's Programme in International Humanitarian Action, 120 credits

Entry requirements

The course on Conflict, Peace-Building and Religion in Humanitarian Action is only available to students admitted to the NOHA programme.

25 credits within the Programme in International Humanitarian Action

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of the module provide a conceptual and theoretical frame for the analysis of political, social, and cultural and religious dimensions of humanitarian disaster situations, with particular emphasis on conflict analysis and conflict resolution/peace-building. After the course the student is expected to have the following competences:

• an ability to apply the main schools of conflict theory and related concepts to concrete conflict and disaster situations in order to achieve a deep and broader understanding of such contexts
• a broad understanding of the theory and practice of peace building
• an awareness about the everyday life of war and armed conflict and how it affects local populations
• have an understanding and sensibility for religious and cultural differences on individual and group levels and how this can affect the policies and implementation of humanitarian activities
• an ability to conduct an independent analysis of a conflict situation with special focus on its cultural and religious aspects
• an ability to communicate advanced knowledge concerning religion, culture, and conflict to a non-academic target group, both in oral and written format.

Content

The module focuses on: concepts and theories of conflict resolution, peace-making/peace-building with a specific relevance for situations of humanitarian disaster situations, the conditions and consequences of humanitarian action in conflict situations, on the roles and functions of religion and culture as a phenomenon in different world conflicts.

Instruction

The course can involve lectures, seminars, study visits, written assignments and literature studies. If resources are available, a study field trip will be arranged.

Assessment

The course is examined through written exams, papers, individual and group presentations.

Grade: VG, G or U (Pass with Distinction, Pass or Fail) as well as ECTS grades.

Other regulations

Language of instruction is English. The main part of the module is related to issues of conflict, disaster and peace-building. Part of the module pays special attention to the emerging field of research on the role of religion and heritage both in relation to armed conflicts, and to humanitarian disaster situations.

Transitional provisions

Members of a course regulated by a former version of this course plan have the possibility to be examined in accordance with that course plan within two years after the closure of the course. If there are particular reasons, such an examination can take place also later on. Normally no instruction in accordance with former versions of the course plan is given.