Prospectus

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Third-party intervention and conflict management

Course
2013-2014

Description

Purpose: 1. To enable students to accurately describe, understand and explain the conflict management techniques available to the international community in the context of third-party intervention aimed at ending violent conflict. Students will become familiar with both the theory and practice of contemporary conflict management. 2. To offer students the opportunity to build and hone their writing skills in the context of written assignments and to develop their ability to think on their feet during guided discussions and impromptu debates. Students will be expected to provide critical analysis of both assigned readings (informally, during in-class discussions) and of a selected case of third-party conflict management (in the context of the case study assignment).

Content: This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the impact third-party intervention may (or may not) have on armed conflict. Specifically, the course will explore the conflict management tools and techniques available to the international community in its pursuit of peace, from preventive diplomacy and peacemaking to full-blown, militarized peace enforcement. In our analysis of these tools and techniques from theoretical, historical and practical standpoints, we will explore the question of their efficacy (in terms of achieving their objectives) across different types of armed conflict and over time. In doing so, we will touch upon topics such as the causes of war; positive vs. negative peace; the legality of interventions; sovereignty; and the role of the United Nations, coalitions of the willing and other interested actors.

Methods of Instruction

Seminars consisting of engaged, student-led class discussions of assigned readings; guided discussion of the substantive course topics; and impromptu debates.

Study Material

A full literature list (consisting primarily of scholarly articles and primary documents, +/- 800 pages) will be provided as soon as possible.

Examination

Engaged, active participation in all sessions (20%); Two short papers (+/-1000 words) (20% each); and a final paper (case study, +/-4000 words) (40%).

You can register for an exam or retake through USIS until 10 days before the exam or retake.

Rooster

Dinsdag 4 februari t/m 25 maart, 13.00-15.00 uur in 1A12
Vrijdag 7 februari t/m 28 maart, 13.00-15.00 uur in 1A24

Entrance Requirements