Admission requirements
Only students of the Advanced MSc International Relations and Diplomacy programme can take this course.
Description
This course is an advanced introduction to UN peacekeeping which includes a mix of practical and theoretical knowledge. Students are introduced to the three main types of peacekeeping operations: traditional, multidimensional and stabilization; and the principles of peacekeeping. The challenges of peacekeeping are discussed throughout the course which include: obtaining consent, the use of force, demonstrating impartiality, winning legitimacy and credibility, and promoting local ownership. Topics covered include: counter-terrorism, peace enforcement and robust peacekeeping; the protection of civilians (PoC); sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) and gender. The success and failure of peace operations are assessed using different theoretical and methodological approaches. Guest speakers provide a practitioner perspective.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, students will have knowledge of:
Current trends in UN peacekeeping practice.
Explaining success and failure in peacekeeping.
The different types of UN peace operations.
The principles of peacekeeping
Knowledge of cross-cutting issues such as gender and protection of civilians in peacekeeping.
Timetable
On the right-hand side of the programme front page of the studyguide you will find a link to the online timetables.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, class discussion, self-study (including assignments).
Study load: 140 hours
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory, subject to course structure (see syllabus for details).
Assessment method
Final grades are calculated based on three components:
Participation (10%)
Policy Brief (40%)
Essay (50%)
Details for submitting papers (deadlines) are posted on Brightspace.
You can find more information about assessments and the timetable exams on the website.
Failed partial grades or components should be compensated by passed partial grades or components. The calculated grade must be at least 5.50 to pass the course. It is not possible to re-sit a partial grade or component once you have passed the course.
Passed partial grades obtained in the academic year 2023-2024 remain valid during the academic year 2024-2025.
Passed partial grades obtained in the academic year 2024-2025 remain valid during the academic year 2025-2026.
Should a student fail the overall course, the student can complete the course in the next academic year. In cases of exceptional circumstances, a student may apply to the board of examiners for a resit to complete the course in the same academic year.
Reading list
Students can help prepare themselves for the course by consulting the following texts.
Oksamytna, Kseniya and John Karlsrud. Eds. United Nations Peace Operations and International Relations Theory. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2020.
Dorussen, Hans. (Ed). Handbook on Peacekeeping and International Relations. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2022.
Paul D. Williams and Alex J.Bellamy. Understanding Peacekeeping. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2021.
MacQueen, Norrie. Peacekeeping and the International System. Abingdon: Routledge, 2006.
Autesserre, Severine. Peaceland: Conflict Resolution and the Everyday Politics of International Intervention. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Cunliffe, Philip. Legions of Peace: UN Peacekeepers from the Global South
London: Hurst, 2013.
Howard, Lise Morje. Power in Peacekeeping. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019.
Karim, Sabrina and Kyle Beardsley. Equal opportunity peacekeeping : women, peace, and security in post-conflict states. New York: Oxford University Press, 2017.
Koops, Joachim Alexander, Norrie Macqueen, Thierry Tardy and Paul D. Williams. The Oxford Handbook of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Newby, Vanessa. Peacekeeping in South Lebanon: Credibility and local cooperation. NY: Syracuse University Press, 2018.
Polman, Linda. We did nothing. Why the truth doesn’t always come out when the UN goes in. London: Penguin, 2013.
Pouligny, Beatrice. Peace Operations Seen from Below: UN Missions and Local People. London: Hurst, 2005.
More readings (journal articles and books) provided in the course outline.
Registration
The programme will register the students in Usis based on the group division. Use Brightspace for course information.
Contact
Dr V. Newby v.f.newby@fgga.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
This course is an elective course designed for second year MIRD students.
This elective is conditional on at least 5 students registering for this course