| Unit name | Conflict Resolution |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLIM0061 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lefevre |
| 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?
This unit delves into the world of conflict resolution, approaching this from a practical perspective. Today’s major international conflicts may be deadlier, longer and more complex than ever before in history, but there is also hope as a growing number of actors are committed to putting an end to violence. These actors of conflict resolution are diverse and include older and newer figures, global as well as local organisations, which all perform a wide range of functions including traditional diplomacy but also third party mediations, peacekeeping operations, or judicial arbitration.
This unit is designed to help you grasp the key trends of conflict resolution – and to equip you with the practical skills needed to address violence. Can war be stopped before it starts? What brings adversaries to the negotiating table? How do mediation efforts unfold and how are key issues resolved? Why do peace processes and agreements so often fail to achieve durable peace? And in which other peacemaking strategies does hope then reside? We will tackle these questions from a practical angle through case studies, simulation games, interviews with practitioners and a field trip.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This is one of four mandatory units in the MSc Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding. Whereas other units offer theoretical, methodological or thematic focus, this unit is specifically designed to provide you with practical grounding into the world of conflict resolution. This includes combining thinking about large trends with assessing how they translate within the context of key contemporary conflicts, as well as acquiring skills on how to negotiate and communicate effectively through applying them to real-life scenarios. The unit also features a focus on building awareness about the diverse range of careers in the conflict resolution industry.
An overview of content
Each week, we will explore a different trend in international conflict resolution, trying collectively to answer key big questions and putting new knowledge and skills to practise through case studies and simulation exercises. Below are some of the questions we will tackle (subject to change depending on the international context):
These themes will be tackled through a wide range of case studies of major recent or ongoing armed conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe. Practical knowledge will also be developed through a field trip, where you will have the opportunity to meet conflict resolution practitioners.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of the unit, you will not only have developed a comprehensive understanding of the trends and actors shaping the world of international conflict resolution; you will also have acquired practical skills, gained knowledge of important case studies and networked with real-life negotiators and mediators. Therefore, you will know what it takes to resolve global conflicts – and how to enter this industry.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
This unit draws on research suggesting that interactive, practical applied and problem-based approaches to teaching encourage most deep learning. So, for instance, the two-hour seminar will feature a participative, inquiry-based lecture intertwined with a collective discussion; it will also include a group discussion of current events shaping today’s major global conflicts, and it will comprise a weekly conflict resolution simulation. The field trip – likely to London – is also integrated within this approach as it will allow not just for the generation of knowledge, links to collective discussions and networking opportunities but also for the creation of bonds within the cohort and with the broader community of conflict resolution practitioners, which will reinforce student confidence and empowerment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative exercises through which substantial teacher feedback will be provided include a 1,500-word policy brief zooming in from a practical perspective on a conflict case study and a strategy to resolve it, as well as aspects of oral participation (e.g. current affairs discussion, class presentations, weekly simulations).
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Summative (marked) assessments will consist for 100% of the mark of a 2,500-word policy report drawing on your experience and participation in a two-hour simulation based on a real-life conflict resolution scenario, which will take place during the last week of term. Participation in this simulation is mandatory; however, you will not be marked on your performance during the simulation, but on the report you submit. This report will allow you to think about current global conflicts and where they are headed and to assess most appropriate conflict resolution approaches (ILOs 1-3).
When assessment does not go to plan:
Reassessment may be offered as determined by the exam board. This will constitute in a summative version of the formative exercise described above – in this case, a 2,500 word policy report zooming in from a practical perspective on a conflict case study and a strategy to resolve it (ILOs 1-3).
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. POLIM0061).
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.
