INRL30380 Politics of Peace & Conflict

Academic Year 2020/2021

In an increasingly globalized world the boundaries between different violent contexts and between political violence and post-conflict situations have become increasingly blurred. This module examines the dynamics and implications of modern conflict situations by addressing the following questions: What is conflict? What underlies differing typologies of political violence and why does it take particular forms? What are the effective means of conflict resolution and the critical debates that inform them? What are the consequences of different types of political violence and what implications do these have for post-conflict?

The module introduces relevant concepts and theories of peace and conflict studies and explores the processes and dynamics of conflict resolution and peacebuilding. More specifically the module examines the origins of violent conflict, highlighting different types of conflict, the consequences, both direct and indirect of violent uprisings, and the processes of ending violent conflict.

The module is interdisciplinary and incorporates aspects of security studies, gender, human rights, international intervention and transitional justice. In order to explore the theory in relation to practice, the module uses case study analysis to illustrate the key theoretical discussions. Among others, case study examples will include, Syria, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia.

It is taught and coordinated by Dr Heidi Riley.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students will be able to:

- Demonstrate a critical analysis of current theoretical debates and concepts in the field of peace and conflict studies.
- Understand the root causes of violent conflict.
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of direct, indirect or unseen consequences of war.
- Evaluate the key moral and political debates surrounding international interventions in conflict and post-conflict.
- Critically evaluate the relationship between conflict, post-conflict and insecurity.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

224
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, critical writing, small group discussions, case study analysis. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: An essay of 2500 words Unspecified n/a Graded No

40
Examination: An end of semester take home examination. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam Yes Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.