module specification

This module aims to:

• Examine a range of approaches to the cessation of contemporary conflicts and the conditions that may be necessary for peace
• Explore the differing mechanisms and strategies for securing peace, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration
• Focus upon both the domestic and international actors involved in these processes
• Provide students with an understanding of relevant theories and empirical material for comparative analysis

• Causes and theories of conflict; the nature of contemporary ethnic, religious and nationalist conflicts; new wars theory LO1

• Approaches and strategies of conflict resolution, including conflict prevention; humanitarian intervention; negotiation, mediation and arbitration LO2

• Examining case studies LO3

• Teaching will comprise weekly lectures and seminars
• Lectures will focus on the approaches, theories and analysis of Conflict Resolution
• Seminars will involve small group discussions, debates and group work.
• Reflective and independent learning is encouraged through the research and writing of an essay relating to the topics of the module, and also through the interactive lectures and seminar discussions
• The module makes extensive use of blended learning, primarily through its dedicated Weblearn site, including interactive use of the mail and discussion tools, module information, lecture PowerPoint slides, full reading lists, and scanned copies of key texts not otherwise electronically available
• Although it is primarily concerned with the academic study of conflict resolution, this module provides students with a range of opportunities to enhance their employability, especially the enhancement of students’ communication, research and writing skills through the essay component of assessment, and seminar discussions
• Students will be required to attend all classes, to engage in the set activities, to prepare in advance by attempting assigned readings, to complete coursework by deadlines, and to reflect and act on the feedback they receive

On successful completion of this module students will have gained:

1. A critical appreciation of the causes and nature of contemporary conflicts
2. An understanding of some of the principal theories and mechanisms of conflict resolution, including the liberal peace thesis, humanitarian intervention, conflict prevention, negotiation, mediation and arbitration
3. An ability to explore and understand the value of case studies

Assessment is based on the following elements:
FORMATIVE
1. A classroom debate based on the topic of the lecture, with feedback given to students at the end of the class. This will take place in week 4.
SUMMATIVE
2. An essay, worth 100% of the final grade. It will be 3000 words in length. This must be submitted by week 13.

CORE READING

Barash, D. and Webel, C. (2017) Peace and Conflict Studies, 4th edn. (London: Sage)
Darby, J. and Mac Ginty, R. (eds) (2008) Contemporary Peacemaking: Conflict, Peace Processes and Post-War Reconstruction, 2nd edn. (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
Jeong, H. (2010) Conflict Management and Resolution: An Introduction (London: Routledge)
Miall, H. et al. (eds) (2015) The Contemporary Conflict Resolution Reader (Cambridge: Polity)
Ramsbotham, O., Woodhouse, T. and Miall, H. (2016) Contemporary Conflict Resolution, 4th edn. (Cambridge: Polity Press)
Wallensteen, P. (2015) Understanding Conflict Resolution, 4th edn. (London: Sage)

ADDITIONAL READING

Bellamy, A. J. (2011) Global Politics and the Responsibility to Protect: From Words to Deeds (London: Routledge)
Darweish, M. and Rank, C. (eds) (2012) Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Contemporary Themes and Challenges (London: Pluto Press)
Galtung, J. (2002) Searching for Peace: The Road to Transcend, 2nd edn. (London: Pluto)
Heinze, E. A. (2009) Waging Humanitarian War: The Ethics, Law, and Politics of Humanitarian Intervention (Albany: SUNY Press)
Jacoby, T. (2008) Understanding Conflict and Violence (London: Routledge)
Lederach, J. P. (2005) The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building Peace (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
Mac Ginty, R. (2006) No War, No Peace: The Rejuvenation of Stalled Peace Processes and Peace Accords (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
Mac Ginty, R. (2011) International Peacebuilding and Local Resistance: Hybrid Forms of Peace (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
Miall, H. (2007) Emergent Conflict and Peaceful Change (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
Paris, R. (2004) At War’s End: Building Peace after Civil Conflict (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Richmond, O. (2005) The Transformation of Peace (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan)
Richmond, O. (2011) A Post-Liberal Peace (London: Routledge)
Richmond, O. and Franks, J. (2009) Liberal Peace Transitions: Between Statebuilding and Peacebuilding (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press)
Sandole, D. (2010) Peacebuilding: Preventing Violent Conflict in a Complex World (Cambridge: Polity)
Wallensteen, P. (2011) Peace Research: Theory and Practice (London: Routledge)
Zartman, I. W. (ed.) (2001) Preventive Negotiation: Avoiding Conflict Escalation (Lanham, Md.: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers)
Zartman, I. W. (2005) Cowardly Lions: Missed Opportunities to Prevent Deadly Conflict and State Collapse (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner)

Useful Websites
• Stockholm International Peace Research (www.sipri.org)
• Peace Research Institute Oslo (www.prio.org)
• Uppsala University, Department of Peace and Conflict Research (www.per.uu.se)
• Virtual Library: Peace, Conflict Resolution and International Security (www2.etown.edu/vl/peace.html)
• International Alert (www.international-alert.org)
• Search for Common Ground (www.sfcg.org)