Conflict and Peace Building (Skill Based Electives)

Paper Code: 
SPOL 601
Credits: 
06
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Rationale: This course is designed to help build an understanding of a variety of conflict situations among students in a way that they can relate to them through their lived experiences. It’s an interdisciplinary course that draws its insights from various branches of social sciences and seeks to provide a lively learning environment for teaching and training students how to bring about political and social transformations at the local, national and international levels. The course encourages the use of new information technologies and innovative ways of understanding these issues by teaching students skills of managing and resolving conflicts and building peace through techniques such as role‐play, simulations, street theatre, cinema and music on the one hand and by undertaking field visits, interacting with different segments of the civil society including those affected by conflicts as well as diplomats, journalists and experts, on the other.

The objectives of this course are to:

1.    build an understanding of a variety of conflict situations among students in a way that they can relate to them through their lived experiences;

2.     apply various conflict analysis frameworks to assess and appreciate the complexity of various issues related to conflict and peace; and

3.    gain the understanding of the consequences of conflict and efforts to build peace.

 

Course Outcomes (CO)

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

SPOL 601  

Conflict and Peace Building

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

CO6:  bring about political and social transformations at the local, national and international levels.

CO7: identify the causes and consequences of conflict, evaluating different points of view and framing their own.

CO8: research questions in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts

CO9: Assess the applicability of Gandhian methods in contemporary conflicts and peace

building efforts

CO10: Evaluate the ethical considerations and challenges associated with mediation in conflict

Resolution

Approach in teaching:

Orientation of methods of conflict resolution, Case studies based on management and resolution of various conflicts in different regions, Lectures, Classroom discussions based on real life situations and case studies 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks.

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects
 
18.00
Unit I: 
Concepts

 

  • Understanding Conflict
  • Conflict Management, Conflict Resolution and Conflict Transformation
  • Peace Building  
18.00
Unit II: 
Dimensions of Conflict

 

  • Ideology
  • Economic/Resource Sharing Conflicts
  • Socio‐Cultural Conflicts (Ethnic, Religious, Gender‐based) 
18.00
Unit III: 
Sites of Conflict

 

  • Local
  • Sub‐National
  • International 
18.00
Unit IV: 
Conflict Responses: Skills and Techniques

 

  • Negotiations: Trust Building
  • Mediation: Skill Building; Active Listening

 

18.00
Unit V: 
Conflict Responses: Diplomacy and Gandhian Methods

 

  • Track I, Track II & Multi Track Diplomacy
  • Gandhian Methods 
Essential Readings: 

Ø  Beswick, D. and Jackson, P. (2018). Conflict, Security and Development: An Introduction. London: Routledge

Ø  Kadloor S.(2014),  Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, New Delhi: Akar Books.

Ø  Goldstein,J .S(2012) Winning the War on War: The Decline of Armed Conflict Worldwide. New York: Plume

Ø  Ciment,J.,Hill, K.(2012).Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II(vol I&II)Routledge Abingdon UK

Ø  Swiss Agency for Development (SDC). 2005. Conflict Analysis Tool

References: 

Ø  BarashD.andWebel, C.(2017) Peace and Conflict Studies, London: Sage Publication

Ø  Mason S.andSiegfried,M. (2012) Debriefing Mediators To Learn Their Experiences, Washington D.C: United States Institute Of Peace.

Ø  Wallenstein,P. (2011) Understanding Conflict Resolution (2nd ed.), London: Sage Publications

Ø  ZartmanI.and De Soto, A.(2010) Timing Mediation Initiatives, Washington D.C: United States Institute Of Peace.

Ø  Smith A.and Smock, D.(2010) Managing A Mediation Process, Washington D.C.: United States Institute Of Peace.

Ø  Burgess H.and  Burgess, G.(2010) Conducting Track II, Washington D.C: United States Institute Of Peace.

Ø  Brown, M. E., et.al, eds., (2000). Theories of War and Peace. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press.

 

 

E-Resources:

Ø  Michael, C.R.,(1981), The Structure of International Conflict, London: Macmillan. Can be retrieved from https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=FC177BF2B4A0EF591034743905C357ED

Ø  Beswick, D. and Jackson, P. (2011). Conflict, Security and Development: An Introduction. London: Routledge. Can be retrieved  from https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=4F34371E79DEB30AA9028E60B4AEEBFA

Ø  Brown, M. E., et.al, eds., (2000). Theories of War and Peace. Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press.Can be retrieved  from https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=6A39A76B92C5F42C66F73044973AFE03

Ø  Wallenstein,P. (2007) Understanding Conflict Resolution (2nd ed.), London: Sage Publications.Can be retrieved  from https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=D7D2FF01F7C3564E30D5C9B83D0F4C89

Ø  Collier, P. et al. (2003). Breaking the Conflict Trap: Civil War and Development Policy. Washington: The World Bank.Can be retrieved  from https://libgen.is/book/index.php?md5=6E9898AC5260CA20262E6009B89811DD

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academic Year: 
2023-24
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