| CODE | IRL2099 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Conflict Resolution and International Relations | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | International Relations | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This course aims to provide students with a good understanding of peace and conflict theories in the context of international relations. Various theoretical approaches to conflict transformation and conflict resolution are discussed and critically assessed, in particular dynamic, basic needs and rational actor approaches. The differences between interstate and various types of intrastate conflicts are analysed, and the possible impacts these differences have on conflict resolution are discussed. The students will also examine critically the role of international actors (including peacekeepers), major powers, sanctions, and mediators in conflict resolution. On a less theoretical level, the students will get a good sense of patterns of conflict around the world and over time, the structure and composition of armed groups, and regional conflict complexes. They will familiarize themselves with a series of contemporary conflicts, both conflicts that have so far remained largely unresolved (Somalia, South Sudan, Western Sahara) and conflicts that have been (at least partially) resolved in the last decades (left and right wing insurgency in Colombia, Kosovo, East Timor). Aims: To give students a systematic overview of the vast field of conflict resolution in international relations, empirically and theoretically. Knowledge and Understanding At the end of the study-unit the learner will be exposed to the following specialised knowledge: - Definitions of conflict, armed conflict and related concepts; - International patterns of armed conflict presently and in historic perspective; - The main actors in armed conflict and in conflict resolution; - Analytical tools to understand various types of inter- and intrastate conflict and their resolution; - In-depth knowledge of a number of current and past armed conflicts of different types and in different geographical locations; - Mediation, sanctions, peacekeeping and other tools of conflict resolution. Skills At the end of the study unit, the student will be able to: - Critically discuss the causes of armed conflicts; - Analyze how armed conflict can be resolved and the difficulties involved in finding a durable solution; - Discuss and critically review conflict theories in the context of armed conflicts at national and international levels; - Communicate effectively on the roots and symptoms of conflict formation and the techniques used to defuse conflict; - Discuss how various types of armed conflict have evolved over time. Reading List: Main textbook: - Peter Wallensteen (2019). Understanding Conflict Resolution (5th edition) London:Sage Publications. Other readings: - Luttwak, Edward N. (1999). “Give War a Chance” Foreign Affairs July/August 36-44. - Peksen, Dursun (2019) When Do Imposed Economic Sanctions Work? A Critical Review of the Sanctions Effectiveness Literature, Defence and Peace Economics, 30:6, 635-647. - Wallensteen, Peter & Isak Svensson (2014). Talking peace: International mediation in armed conflicts Journal of Peace Research 51:2, pp.315-327. - Zartman I.W. (2019) Need, Creed and Greed in Intrastate Conflict. In: Zartman, W I (ed): A Pioneer in Conflict Management and Area Studies. Springer. Some avenues for finding information on the case studies: - Crisis Group (www.crisisgroup.org) - Correlates of War Project http://www.correlatesofwar.org/ - Institute for War and Peace Reporting: http://iwpr.net/ - International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO): http://www.prio.no/ - Peace Insight https://www.peaceinsight.org/en/ - ReliefWeb http://reliefweb.int/ - Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) www.sipri.se/ - TRANSCEND International A Peace Development Environment Network http://www.transcend.org/ - Uppsala Conflict Data Programme https://ucdp.uu.se/ - BBC Monitoring Country Profiles http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm Additional resources: https://www.cerac.org.co/en/resources/conflict-data.html Academic and other specialized journals are listed under: https://www.peacejusticestudies.org/journals/ |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Lucy Paterson |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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