Syllabus for Peace and Conflict Studies A

Freds- och konfliktkunskap A

A revised version of the syllabus is available.

30 credits
Course code: 2FK009
Education cycle: First cycle
Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Peace and Conflict Studies G1N
Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
Established: 2007-01-24
Established by: The Faculty Board of Social Sciences
Revised: 2017-10-09
Revised by: The Department Board
Applies from: week 27, 2018
Entry requirements: General entry requirements
Responsible department: Department of Peace and Conflict Research

DECISIONS AND GUIDELINES

The course is only offered during the fall semester. The course can be part of Bachelor's Programme in Political Science, the Bachelor's
Programme in Social Sciences, and the Bachelor's Programme in Peace and Development Studies or used as self-contained course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completion of this course the student is expected to demonstrate:

the ability to identify central concepts in peace and conflict research

the ability to account for key theoretical assumptions on the causes, dynamics and resolution of armed conflict, and to apply these
concepts to explain the causes, dynamics and resolution of armed conflict
the ability to describe principal features of the nature and development of conflicts within and between states from 1945 until present
day
the ability to independently write a conflict analysis, incorporating and applying the above mentioned concepts
the ability to independently collect data on armed conflict, and assess this data using established practices of source criticism
the ability to present theoretical concepts and empirical findings in a research report in the form of a conflict analysis and present this
analysis in a seminar
the ability to account for the central assumptions of the main theories of International Relations (IR), and of the so-called broadened
security agenda, and apply these assumptions to explain the security behaviour of actors
together with a partner, the ability to develop a conflict scenario in a research paper, and theoretically and empirically motivate this
scenario
actively participate in seminar discussions and present and defend the conflict scenario in a seminar setting
independently write an assignment within a given time frame

CONTENT
The course consists of four parts:

Module 1. Introduction to Peace and Conflict Research (7.5 credits)

Module 1 gives an introduction to the central puzzles and research areas of peace and conflict research. Key concepts linked to explaining the
cause, dynamic, and resolution of conflict are presented and discussed.

Module 2. Conflict Analysis (7.5 credits)

In module 2 students will select a conflict to analyse using a framework based on the theories and concepts discussed in module 1. The analysis
is presented in a research paper and presented and defended at a seminar. The module also includes training in data collection and source
criticism.

Module 3. Peace and Security in the International System (7.5 credits)

Course module 3 focuses on the concept of security and its various definitions, such as the broadened security agenda and military and non-
military security threats. Emphasis is placed on different theoreticl perspectives (mainly from the literature on International Relations) and
how they can explain actors'security policies.

Module 4. Security Scenario Analysis (7.5 credits)

The security scenario analysis consists of a 20-page assignment written in pairs. This assignment serves as a practice of doing a scenario analysis
of possible conflict developments within a region, a country or between two countries. The analysis is guided by the theories and concepts that
are covered in previous modules. The written assignment is presented and defended at a final seminar.

INSTRUCTION
Lectures and seminars constitute the main forms of teaching of this course. All lectures are given in English. The students can chose whether
they want to participate in seminars in Swedish or in English.

ASSESSMENT
Students are examined through a written exam, an individually authored conflict analysis, compulsory seminars and written seminar
assignments, and a scenario analysis written in pairs.

Three grades are given in this course: VG (pass with distinction), G (pass), U (fail).

To obtain the grade VG (pass with distinction) for Peace and Conflict Studies A, a student is required to obtain VG (pass with distinction) on
at least 15 credits, as well as G (pass) on the remaining 15 credits. To obtain the grade G (pass) for Peace and Conflict Studies A, a student is
required to obtain G (pass) on all course modules (30 credits).