ASTK12257U International Conflict Resolution: Violence, - Peacebuilding and New Media
Violence and conflict are puzzling and paradoxical phenomena implying situational dynamics, discourses of violence, identity formations and mechanism that can be analyzed at multiple levels. Previously violent conflicts were more easily conceptualized; battles between two states competing over land, resources or power-balance. Today, wars are characterized by being de-territorialized and protracted intrastate conflicts with asymmetric power relations. War has become much more than a strategic question of competing states and involves global networks of trade, diaspora, activism, new media, NGOs, lobby groups and alike. Policy makers and practitioners are left with a great challenge of embracing complexity when responding to crisis in an effective and sustainable manner.
This course is an introduction to international conflict resolution and opens up questions of conflict, violence and peace from different theoretical and empirical perspectives. Likewise, the dynamics and potential of new media will be examined as a new tendency affecting mobilization, internationalization and conflict analysis. The discipline of international conflict resolution has another take on international politics than traditional approaches of liberalism or realism. It is first and foremost pragmatically devoted to address and potentially transform international conflicts. The course is a unique opportunity to discuss current research at the new Centre for Resolution of International Conflicts (CRIC) (more information at http://cric.ku.dk/). The course will include presentations by specialists and researchers from CRIC as indicated in the preliminary study plan. The lecturer of each presentation is only indicative, more information will be available right before course start.
Preliminary plan for the course:
- Introduction: Isabel Bramsen
- Conflict theory: Ole Wæver
- Theories of violent conflict: Isabel Bramsen
- Conflict escalation and violence: Isabel Bramsen
- Preventive diplomacy: Nik Emanuel
- Conflict de-escalation: Bjørn Møller
- Emotions in conflict and peace-building: Poul Poder
- Reconciliation and memory: Sara Dybris McQuaid
- New media and conflict resolution: Isabel Bramsen
- Mediatisation and coverage of war in Syria: Joshka Wessels
- Big data and conflict analysis: Isabel Bramsen
- Islamic modernities and regional conflict: Dietrich Jung
- Student presentations: Isabel Bramsen
- New perspectives and the future of conflict resolution: Isabel Bramsen
Competency description
The course improves the student’s understanding of international conflict resolution as a discipline and practice. The course is particularly relevant for students who aim for career in the area of foreign policy, diplomacy, global affairs, peacebuilding, reconciliation or the analysis, prevention and resolution of international conflicts.
By the end of the course, a successful student should be able to:
- Show advanced comprehension of the ’conflict resolution approach’ to international politics
- Present main theoretical trends in peace and conflict studies
- Apply the theories in the analysis of causes and dynamics of contemporary conflicts
- Compare approaches to conflict analysis, prevention and resolution
- Critically discuss and evaluate current conflict research
Ramsbotham, Oliver, Tom Woodhouse and Hugh Miall (2011) Contemporary Conflict Resolution. Polity Press
Demmers, Jolle (2012), Theories of violent conflict, Routledge
Kriesberg, Luis (2013), Constructive conflicts: from escalation to resolution,
The final list of literature will be available at the start of the course.
***Be aware that the teaching will be twice a week starting in week 44 and go on for 7 weeks (rather than 14)
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 28
- Exam
- 79
- Preparation
- 168
- Total
- 275
- Credit
- 10 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignmentWritten exam
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
Criteria for achieving the goals:
- Grade 12 is given for an outstanding performance: the student lives up to the course's goal description in an independent and convincing manner with no or few and minor shortcomings
- Grade 7 is given for a good performance: the student is confidently able to live up to the goal description, albeit with several shortcomings
- Grade 02 is given for an adequate performance: the minimum acceptable performance in which the student is only able to live up to the goal description in an insecure and incomplete manner
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- ASTK12257U
- Credit
- 10 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree MasterBachelor
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
Week 44-50
- Schedule
- Placed in more than one block
- Continuing and further education
- Price
Read morer here www.polsci.ku.dk -> Uddannelser -> Åbent Universitet
- Study board
- Department of Political Science, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Political Science
Course responsibles
- Isabel Bramsen (2-6c654366756c66316e7831676e)
Fagkoordinator: Anders Berg-Sørensen