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Introduction to Peace & Conflict Studies

Vak
2020-2021

Admission requirements

None.

Description

Introducing the Peace and Conflict Studies track of the World Politics major, this course lays a theoretical foundation for analysing violent conflict and its dynamics.

Students will be trained in identifying conflict contexts and actors, and in examining how and why conflicts emerge and escalate. The course will introduce causes of violent conflict and how they are interlinked. It will also shed light on contemporary conflict trends as well as international responses, including attempts to keep and build peace.

Course Objectives

Skills
By completing the course, students should be able to:

  • Apply concepts and theory about conflict dynamics, escalation processes and responses to conflict in order to explain developments in specific inter-group conflicts.

Knowledge
By completing the course, students should be able to:

  • Compare and contrast different types of conflict and conflict actors;

  • Explain why conflicts occur and escalate, and how such causes may interrelate; and

  • Discuss dilemmas faced by actors who intervene in conflict zones in the name of peace.

Timetable

Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2020-2021 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

This is an interactive course. Readings will be discussed in class and group meetings, and students will be expected to participate actively by raising questions and articulating ideas you may have based on the readings and lectures. Once during the course each student will be part of a group giving a presentation, prior to which you will be expected to write a response paper. In the final essay, students will be expected to apply what you have learned by analysing how and why one particular intergroup conflict escalated.

Assessment Method

  • Response paper 35%

  • Presentation 15%

  • Essay 50%

Reading list

The list of readings will be made available upon commencement of the course.

Registration

Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr Ingrid Samset, i.samset@luc.leidenuniv.nl (Block 1; Block 3)
Dr Ayokunu Adedokun, a.b.adedokun@luc.leidenuniv.nl (Block 3)

Remarks

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