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Malmö universitet
Course syllabus spring 2021
Course syllabus spring 2021
Title
Peace and Conflict Studies II
Swedish title
Peace and Conflict Studies II
Course code
FK102L
Credits
30 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2020-11-04
Syllabus valid from
2021-01-18
Entry requirements
Peace and Conflict Studies 1-30.
Level
Basic level
Main field
Peace and Conflict Studies
Progression level
G1F
Course objectives
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.
Course contents
Contents
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.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
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
Learning activities
Learning activities
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.
Assessment
Assessments
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.
Course literature and other study material
1. Peace and Conflict Theory (15 hp)
  • Acemoglu, D., Johnson, S. and Robinson, J.A., 2002. An African success story: Botswana. Available at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=304100
  • Bauman, Z., 1988. Sociology after the Holocaust. British Journal of Sociology, pp. 469-497.
  • Bayat, A., 1997. Un-civil society: The politics of the 'informal people'. Third World Quarterly, 18(1), pp. 53-72.
  • Comaroff, J. and Comaroff, J.L., 2012, July. Theory from the South: Or, how Euro-America is evolving toward Africa. In Anthropological Forum, 22(2), pp. 113-131.
  • Dillon, M., 2008. Security, race and war. In Foucault on politics, security and war (pp. 166-196). Palgrave Macmillan UK.
  • Galtung, J., 1969. Violence, Peace, and Peace Research. Journal of Peace Research, 6(3), pp. 167-191 (revisit)
  • Gaventa, J. 1980. Chapter 1, Power and Powerlessness. Chicago, University of Illinois Press.
  • Giroux, H.A., 2008. Beyond the biopolitics of disposability: Rethinking neoliberalism in the new gilded age. Social Identities, 14(5), pp.587-620.
  • Gurr T.R. 2017. Observations on the Study of Ethnic Conflict. Ethnopolitics, 16(1), pp. 34-40.
  • Hobbes, Thomas (1651/2004) Leviathan, London: Dover Publications (selected parts).
  • Holston, J., 2009. Insurgent citizenship in an era of global urban peripheries. City & Society, 21(2), pp. 245-267.
  • Kant, I., 2006, Toward Perpetual Peace and Other Writings on Politics, Peace, and History, Yale University Press. (Book to Buy.)
  • Kaldor, Mary (2012) New and Old Wars (third edition). Cambridge: Polity Press.
  • Lund, C., 2006. Twilight institutions: public authority and local politics in Africa. Development and Change, 37(4), pp. 685-705.
  • Macey, D., 2009. Rethinking biopolitics, race and power in the wake of Foucault. Theory, Culture & Society, 26(6), pp. 186-205.
  • Mac Ginty, R., 2008. Indigenous peace-making versus the liberal peace. Cooperation and Conflict, 43(2), pp. 139-163.
  • Mbembe, A. 2003. Necropolitics. Public Culture, 15(1), pp. 11-40.
  • Meagher, K., 2012. The Strength of Weak States? Non-State Security Forces and Hybrid Governance in Africa. Development and Change, 43(5), pp. 1073-1101.
  • Menkhaus, K., 2007. Governance without government in Somalia: Spoilers, state building, and the politics of coping. Available at: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1162/isec.2007.31.3.74.
  • Newman, Edward, 2014. Understanding Civil Wars. Continuity and Change in Intrastate Conflict. London: Routledge (205 sid)
  • Paffenholz, T. (ed) (2010) Civil Society and Peace Building, Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers. (Book to buy.)
  • Pettersson, T., Wallensteen P., 2015. Armed conflicts, 1946–2014. Journal of Peace Research, 52(4), pp. 536-550
  • Ramsbotham, O., Miall, H. och Woodhouse, T. 2006. Contemporary Conflict Resolution: The Prevention, Management and Transformation of Deadly Conflicts. Second edition. Oxford: Polity Press.
  • Reno, W., 2003. Somalia and Survival in the Shadow of the Global Economy. QEH Working Paper 100. Available at: http://www.somali-jna.org/downloads/ACF358F.pdf.
  • Scott, J. 1985. Chapter 8, Weapons of the Weak. New Haven, Yale University Press.
Additional articles and chapters could be added (approximately 250 pages).
2. Method (7.5 hp)
  • Gee, J. P. (2011) An Introduction to Discourse Analysis. New York: Routledge. 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
  • Rose, G. (2001) Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials. London: Sage. (e-book Mah library) selected chapters
  • 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
Reference literature:
  • Jupp, V. (ed) (2006) The SAGE Dictionary of Social Research Methods. London: Sage Publications.
  • May, T. (2011) Social Research, Issues, Methods and Research. Maidenhead: Open University Press. (e-book Mah library)
  • Nealon, J. T. (2012) The Theory Toolbox Critical Concepts for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. (e-book Mah library) selected chapters
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)
Course evaluation
The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students will be offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.