This module is not currently running in 2022 to 2023.
The module will cover the following topics, some of which will be directly illustrated by invited practitioners:
- Defining concepts. What is peace? Peacemaking. Peacekeeping. Conflict resolution. Conflict transformation.
- Contemporary wars
- When do conflicts escalate / de-escalate / end?
- Foreign interventions and peacekeeping
- Peacemaking (inc. Mediation, Peace talks, Peace agreements)
- Legacies of war
- Post-conflict security governance
- Demobilisation, Disarmament, Reintegration
- Security sector reform
- Accommodating divided societies. Peace and constitutional design
- Transforming economies of war / post-conflict recovery
- Reparations and justice
- The politics of memorialisation
Total contact hours (lecture + seminar): 24
Private study hours: 176
Total study hours: 200
International Conflict and Security
Mid-term exercise: Dissecting a peace agreement, 1,500 words (20%).
Essay, 3500 words (80%)
Reassessment methods: 100% coursework
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
Berdal, Mats R. (2009) Building peace after war. Abingdon: Routledge.
Campbell, Susanna, David Chandler and Meera Sabaratnam (2011) A Liberal Peace? The Problem and Practices of Peacebuilding. London: Zed Books.
Philpott, Daniel (2015) Just and Unjust Peace: An Ethic of Political Reconciliation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Richmond, Oliver (2016) Peace Formation and Political Order in Conflict Affected Societies. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Richmond, Oliver and Sandra Poggoda (2016) Post-Liberal Peace Transitions: Between Peace Formation and State Formation. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Sriram, Chandra Lekha (2008) Peace as governance: power-sharing, armed groups and contemporary peace negotiations. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Walter, Barbara F. (2002) Committing to peace: the successful settlements of civil wars. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will:
1. demonstrate solid knowledge of trends and forms of contemporary violent conflicts;
2. demonstrate a thorough command of key concepts in Peace Studies and the scholarly debates surrounding them;
3. be able to engage critically with the underlying philosophies as well as concrete trappings of the wide range of policies promoting peace, locally and globally;
4. analyse in-depth a contemporary conflict and, on the basis of this analysis, assess alternative strategies for peace
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. work with advanced theoretical knowledge and apply theory to key policy issues;
2. undertake comprehensive analysis of complex, incomplete or contradictory areas of knowledge and make carefully constructed arguments;
3. have a level of conceptual understanding that will allow them to critically evaluate research, policies, and practices and thus be better positioned to develop their own solutions to international challenges;
4. be reflective and self-critical in their work;
5. engage in academic and professional communication with others;
6. have independent learning ability required for further study or professional work;
7. use the Internet, bibliographic search engines, online resources, and effectively conduct research.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
