About the course

This six-day course brings together theories, empirical research, and case studies on contemporary conflicts, and the peace process, mainly after the 1950s. The course aims to provide a brief, yet in-depth, understanding of conflict(s), its characters and failed (and successful) peace processes. This course also aims at introducing, comparing, and analyzing main theories of conflict, hence various theories will be discussed in-depth (along with unique case studies) in this course. This course will also offer a limited perspective on the work of International actors ( like the UN, EU, NATO, etc.) and their roles in International conflicts and the peace-building process.

Given the nature of the course, and limitations due to the time, this course would largely focus on 'intra-state' conflicts, rather than inter-state conflicts, however the theories covered in this course would also be helpful in establishing deeper understanding of various kinds of conflicts.

learning goals

Upon completion, students should be able:

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1. To describe in detail the main characteristics of contemporary violent conflicts and to explain the major changes in the nature of conflicts since 1950

2. To compare the main theories of conflict, including the main assumptions, strengths and weaknesses of the different theories

3. To explain the main challenges and complexities of most contemporary peace processes

4. To apply and use the theories that were discussed in the course in the analysis of actual conflict cases

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