Peace and Conflict Studies I (30 credits), at least 22.5 credits completed

The course constituted level 31-60 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 aim of the course is for students to acquire advanced theoretical knowledge and methodological skills in peace and conflict studies. Through project work the students should also develop the ability to independently and critically analyze key issues and problems within the field.

The course consists of three modules:

1. Peace and Conflict Theory (15 hp)
The module covers the central concepts and theories of peace and conflict studies.

2. Method (7.5 hp)
The module covers primary methods and methodological issues of relevance for peace and conflict studies.

3. Project Work (7.5 hp)
The module consists of a project work including a presentation, defense and evaluation of project works.

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

1. Peace and Conflict Theory (15 hp)

After completing the module the student will

1. have a broader and in-depth understanding of the theories and analytical traditions of peace and conflict studies;

2. have the ability to independently analyse and critically reflect upon the research development within the field of peace and conflict studies;

3. have an in-depth understanding of and the capability to analyse the causes, dynamics and resolution of organized violence and conflicts from different theoretical perspectives;

4. be able to discuss and problematise relevant theories and issues

2. Method (7.5 hp)

After completing the module the student will

1. have a basic knowledge of the connection between scientific problem, research question and the choice of theory and method;

2. have a basic knowledge and understanding of qualitative and quantitative approaches within humanities and social sciences

3. have the capability to formulate a research question and to argue for the use of relevant methods;

3. Project Work (7.5 hp)

After completing the module the student will

1. be able to analyse a conflict by applying relevant theories and methods;

2. be able to cooperate and to complete the project within a strict timeframe;

3. be able to structure an academic text, use academic formalities, and on a basic level master an academic language;

4. have the ability to evaluate and defend an academic text

The course is designed for full-time study. The teaching in each module is mainly lectures and seminars. The majority of the student’s workload consists of independent study.

Students are responsible for keeping up with the reading and coming prepared to each class. Students are expected to take their own initiative to form study groups. All the modules are integrated and can run parallel. Graded seminars are mandatory.

Supervision is only available when the project work module is in session.

1. Peace and Conflict Theory (15 hp)

Learning outcomes 2 and 3 are assessed by means of a take home exam (7.5 hp). Learning outcome 1 and 4 are assessed by means of oral presentations (7.5 hp).

2. Method (7.5 hp)

The module is assessed by means of individual as well as group based examining tasks.

Learning outcome 1-3 are assessed by means of presentations in group (2 hp, pass is the only grade given).

Learning outcomes 1-3 are assessed by means of an individual take home exam (5.5 hp).

3. Project Work (7.5 hp)

The learning outcomes of the module are assessed by means of writing, evaluating and defending a project work. Learning outcome 1, 2, and 3 are assessed by means of writing a project work (6 hp).

Learning outcome 4 is assessed by means of critical evaluation of another project work as well as the defense of one’s own project work (1.5 hp).

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

1. Peace and Conflict Theory (15 hp)

• Azar, Edward. (1990), The Management of Protracted Social Conflict. Theory and Cases, Dartmouth Publishing Company Limited.
• Goldstein, Joshua. (2003 or later), War and Gender. How Gender Shapes theWar System and Vice Versa, Cambridge University Press. (selected chapters)
• Hettne, Björn. (2009), Thinking about development, Zed Books (selected chapters)
• Hunt, Krista & Rygiel, Kim. (2008), (En)Gendering the War on Terror. War Stories and Camouflaged Politics, Ashgate (selected chapters )
• Kaldor, Mary (2012) New and Old Wars (third edition). Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Lederach, John Paul. (1998 or later) Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies, United States Institute of Peace
• Newman, Edward. (2014). Understanding Civil Wars. Continuity and Change in Intrastate Conflict. London: Routledge.
• Ramsbotham, O., Miall, H. & Woodhouse, T. (2006). Contemporary Conflict Resolution: The Prevention, Management and Transformation of Deadly Conflicts. Second edition. Oxford: Polity Press.

Additional assigned readings will be available via online databases or otherwise provided.

2. Method (7.5 hp)

• Howell, M. & Prevenier, W. (2001). From Reliable Sources: An Introduction to Historical Methods. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. selected chapters
• Höglund, K. and M. Öberg, eds. (2011) Understanding Peace Research. Methods and Challenges. London and New York: Routledge. (e-book Mah library) selected chapters
• Taylor, S. (2013). What Is Discourse Analysis? London: Bloomsbury. (open access).
• Walliman, N. (2011) Research Methods: The Basics. London, New York: Routledge. (e-book Mah library) selected chapters

Articles and other texts (200 pages) will be added to this list

3. Project Work (7.5 hp)

• Jupp, V. (ed) (2006) The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods. London: Sage Publications.
• Walliman, N. (2011) Social Research Methods. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

Reference literature:

• Nealon, J. T. (2012) The Theory Toolbox Critical Concepts for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. (e-book Mah library)

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.*
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