Peace and Conflict Studies I (30 credits) and Peace and Conflict Studies II (30 credits)

The course constitutes level 61-90 credits within the main field Peace and Conflict Studies and can be included in a Bachelor Degree with main field Peace and Conflict Studies.

The course objective is for students to develop advanced knowledge and skills in Peace and Conflict Studies. Students will further develop their ability to identify and critically analyze key problems and issues in peace and conflict studies, which mainly is done by writing a bachelor thesis.

The course consists of two modules:

1. From Theory to Research Outcomes in Peace and Conflict Studies (15 hp)
The first module covers the research process within peace and conflict studies and is a continuation of previous training in theory and method. The module addresses epistemology and research methodology and includes practical exercises and discussions on research ethics.

2. Bachelor Research Project (15 hp)

The second module consists of individual thesis writing as well as a critical evaluation of the work of another student and the defence of one’s own thesis. Research topic is to be chosen in the cooperation with responsible supervisor. The thesis writing is carried out in close cooperation with the supervisor.

The course consists of two modules with the following learning outcomes:

1. From Theory to Research Outcomes in Peace and Conflict Studies (15 hp)

After completing the module the student will have

1. a deeper and wider understanding of methods and methodologies with relevance for peace and conflict studies;

2. a deeper and wider understanding of the research process including a deeper understanding of how the choice of research question, method, and empirical data affects the research outcome;

3. a deeper capability to assimilate and to critically assess methodological aspects of academic texts;

4. a deeper capability to employ methods in practice

2. Bachelor Thesis (15 hp)

After completing the module the student will

1. have a deeper ability to independently conduct and complete an academic thesis with relevance for peace and conflict studies;

2. have the ability to complete a bachelor thesis within strict time frames;

3. be able to organize an academic text and have the ability to use academic formalities and master academic language;

4. have a deeper capability to independently analyse and adopt a critical position towards research development within peace and conflict studies;

5. have a deeper capability to present, scrutinize, and defend an independent academic work on Bachelor level within peace and conflict studies

The course is designed for full-time study. The majority of the student’s workload consists of independent study.

Students are responsible for keeping up the reading and for coming prepared to each class. Students are expected to take their own initiatives to form reading groups.

Students who have not submitted a passing bachelor thesis cannot be guaranteed further supervision.

The teaching in the first module is in the form of lectures and seminars. Teaching in the Bachelor thesis module consists of tutorials, seminars, and lectures.

1. From Theory to Research Outcomes in Peace and Conflict Studies (15 hp)

Learning outcome 1 and 2 are assessed by means of a formal exam (4 hp). Learning outcomes 1-4 are assessed by means of six assignments (1 hp each, pass or fail are the only grades given), and a take home exam (5 hp).

2. Bachelor Thesis (15 hp)

Learning outcomes 1 and 4 are assessed by means of essay writing (12 hp). Learning outcome 5 is assessed by means of critical evaluation of another student’s bachelor thesis as well as the defense of one’s own (3 hp).

In order to achieve a passing grade on the course in its entirety, the grade of Pass is required for each examination.

• Bacchi, C. and S. Goodwin (2016). Poststructural Policy Analysis. A guide to Practice. Palgrave Macmillan. (selected chapters)
• Chambliss, D. F. and R. K. Schutt (2018) Making Sense of the Social World: Methods of Investigation (6th edition). Los Angeles: Sage.
• Creswell, J. W. 2009. Research Design, Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (3rd edition). Sage Publications.
• Nealon, J. and S. S. Giroux (2011) The Theory Toolbox. Critical Concepts for the Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences (2nd edition), Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Neuendorf, K. A. (2017) The Content Analysis Guidebook. Sage Publications, Inc. (selected chapters)

Literature will be added to this list.

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented.

If a student has a Learning support decision, the examiner has the right to provide the student with an adapted test, or to allow the student to take the exam in a different format.

The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.