Læringsutbytte

The student shall have an understanding, both theoretically and practically, of how peace studies is an interdisciplinary field. The student shall have a grasp of the different understandings of peace, and generate the knowledge, skills and general competence that is necessary to not only understand the driving forces of violent conflicts and wars, but also how to manage conflicts and build a peace culture across racial, gender, ethnic, cultural and religious differences where one lives.

Kunnskap og forståelse

• Broad knowledge of the causes of violent conflicts across relations of power
• A critical understanding of the different approaches to peace and conflict management, including an understanding of the Nobel Peace Prize
• An understanding of the different approaches to peace, and how they relate
• An understanding of concepts, theories and methods for peace building
• An general understanding of the United Nations and its role as a peace-maker

Ferdigheter

• The ability to critically analyze small and larger conflicts
• The skills to participate in conflict-management and narrative mediation
• The ability to organize and relate different concepts of peace
• The ability to communicate non-violence
• Skills in how to conduct non-violent direct actions

Generell kompetanse

• Communicative competence relevant for building a peace culture
• Skills in how to participate in peace building and conflict-management
• Analytic competence across disciplines important for critical thinking related to peace
• Relational competence in building bridges between different groups

Innhold

Peace studies is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates disciplines such as philosophy, social psychology, narrative theory, history, political science, sociology, culture and religious studies, economics, geography and anthropology. It addresses what is recently known as the widened understanding of peace, which includes the relationship between conflicts and ecological sustainability, issues of poverty and human rights. The aim of is to address how to develop a peace culture, not only across nations, but also within the context of our daily lives.

Arbeids- og læringsformer

The course will vary between the following teaching methods:

• lectures
• role play
• case studies
• individual and group excercises
• written hand-ins
• group work and presentation
• journals

Vurderingsformer

The following is part of the evaluation of the course:
1. Short paper: 5-8 pages on a given topic: 25 % of the final grade2. Short paper: 5-8 pages on a choosen topic: 25 % of the final grade3. Group oral presentation (20-30 min/choosen topic/hand-in) 50 % of the final grade
The work will be evaluated in a letter grading system, where A is the best and F is no-pass.

Det tas forbehold om mindre justeringer i planen.