| Unit name | Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding Approaches |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLIM0060 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Stavrevska |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The study of Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding Approaches is essential for comprehending the intricate nature of modern conflicts and the diverse approaches used to cultivate peace. This unit offers you tools to analyse the causes, actors, and dynamics of conflicts, while also exploring various practical strategies for peacebuilding, such as disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration, post-conflict socioeconomic relief and recovery, and grassroots peacebuilding, amongst others. Through the analysis of case studies from different regions, you will gain a deep understanding of both the successes and obstacles faced in peacebuilding efforts. This unit provides you with critical analytical skills and the ability to devise innovative solutions for sustainable peace, making it indispensable for those pursuing careers in international organisations, governmental and non-governmental agencies, or as researchers and practitioners in the field of conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding Approaches is a mandatory unit for the MSc Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding, forming the core of the programme, along with three other mandatory units. It imparts essential knowledge and analytical capabilities that are central to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree. The skills and insights gained from this unit are vital as you advance through the programme, equipping them for advanced study and professional roles that demand expertise in conflict analysis and peacebuilding. This unit is crucial in preparing you to become proficient and knowledgeable professionals in the field, aligning with the programme's overall aims.
An overview of content
This unit covers key approaches to conflict analysis and a variety of peacebuilding strategies. By examining case studies from different parts of the world, you will learn about different aspects of conflict analysis and peacebuilding approaches through applied knowledge and real-world examples. The unit is organised in two parts. In Part One, you will focus specifically on causes/profiles, actors, dynamics, and directions of conflict in turn, aspects of central importance to conflict analysis and peacebuilding. In Part Two, you explore different peacebuilding approaches and methodologies used to establish and maintain peace, with the weekly focus moving from disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration, to post-conflict socioeconomic relief and recovery, to liberal peacebuilding and statebuilding, and to grassroots peacebuilding.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Through this unit, you will develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities of conflicts and the multifaceted approaches to building peace. You will enhance your analytical skills, enabling you to assess conflict situations critically and to design effective peacebuilding strategies. Additionally, you will gain practical skills in conflict analysis and peacebuilding that are applicable in various professional contexts, fostering your development as a proactive and thoughtful professional.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
In this unit, your learning will be multifaceted, designed to foster a deep and applied understanding of conflict analysis and peacebuilding approaches. To that end, a large part of the unit will be taught through case studies, helping you grasp the material through real-world scenarios, and enhancing your practical skills and critical thinking. The primary methods will include in-person two-hour seminars, which will introduce and dissect the core aspects of the subject. During some of the seminars, you will also have an opportunity to hear from and engage with experienced peacebuilders and policymakers who work in different contexts. Seminars will be highly interactive, encouraging you to engage in discussions, debates, and group work, which will enable you to challenge and refine your understanding of the material. Class exercises (formative) will be integral to your learning process, allowing you to articulate and reflect on your insights without the pressure of summative grading. This approach ensures that you develop the ability to carry out research independently, critically evaluate information, and solve problems collaboratively — skills that are crucial for both academic success and professional practice in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. This method of learning aligns with the unit’s objectives, preparing you for both the assessments and future challenges in the field.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Class exercises
Throughout the term you will engage in a variety of exercises in class and will receive feedback on your performance, as these exercises will form a key part of your learning.
Conflict analysis and peacebuilding research report outline
For this formative task, you are expected to identify a case study you wish to analyse for your conflict analysis and peacebuilding research report, i.e. for your summative task. You will submit an outline on which you will receive feedback, but no mark. In the outline, aside from choosing a case study, you are expected to specify how you intend to carry out the conflict analysis of the case and then which peacebuilding approaches you will be analysing and how. The outline cannot be longer than two A4 pages. Intended to offer some scaffolding as you prepare for the final, marked task, you are also permitted to include any part of the formative assessment in your summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
3,000 word conflict analysis and peacebuilding research report (100%) [ILO 1-3]
Building on your formative assignment, you are to develop your own specific research report, which should include both a conflict analysis and a peacebuilding analysis within a single case study, selected by you. You are to deploy the analytical tools you see as best suited to examining the particular case study you have chosen and (1) elaborate on the conflict causes, actors, and dynamics, (2) analyse the peacebuilding approaches within that context, and (3) provide recommendations for policymakers and/or other societal stakeholders on ensuring sustainable peace.
When assessment does not go to plan:
Reassessment may be offered as determined by the exam board. You will normally complete the reassessment in the same format as outlined above. You are expected to select a different case study to focus on for the reassessment than the one originally selected.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. POLIM0060).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
