FOCUS ON CONFLICT	FOCUS ON VIOLENCE / PEACE
PROBLEMS	CONFLICT THEORY	THEORY OF VIOLENCE
REMEDIES	CONFLICT SOLUTION	PEACE THEORY

The problems-oriented courses give a broad introduction to, followed by an in-depth analysis of, conflict and violence, their origins, forms, causes, relations between the two and to other phenomena, possible consequences and philosophical perspectives on war and peace, human rights and international law. They also include an introduction to structural and cultural violence, their relation to another, and to direct (intentional) and indirect(unintended) violence.

The remedies-oriented courses focus on constructive measures to avoid or reduce violence (negative peace), to solve or transform conflicts in creative, less- or non-violent ways, and to enhance the capacity to do so (positive peace). These courses also concentrate on strategies, organisations, agencies and means to reduce violence and create more sustainable peace at different levels; from UN/ International law via Governments and NGOs, to individual faculties of conflict mediation and conflict management, including an opportunity to train individual skills.

SVF-3022: Culture, conflict and society

The course will enable students to critically analyse and evaluate the relevance and importance of cultural and societal contexts in relation to conflict. SVF-3022 employs anthropological, religious and psychological perspectives on conflicts, peace and conflict transformation. The focus is on conflict and violence as human experience – cultural and psychological. The associated complex issues of cultural difference form a critical backdrop to efforts to understand conflict and violence in their various manifestations.

SVF-3023: Project seminar

SVF-3023 starts in semester two of the first year and completed in semester one of the second year. It aims to provide a coherent and overarching framework to enable students to engage with the research process throughout their studies.

There is an information meeting towards the end of semester one on academic and practical requirements of the course. This meeting adresses the formulation of a thesis topic and the writing of a project proposal, which is required in semester two. This project proposal will provide the theoretical, methodological and practical basis for the chosen research.

Students are expected to demonstrate academic independence during the development of their project proposal, as well as understanding of the significance of relevant theoretical arguments from the programme readings and related background literature. Students can proceed to the next stage of their research once the project proposal has been approved.

In semester 2, there will be three compulsory lectures to create a common platform for project related discussions and work. These lectures will focus on the (i) principles of social research, (ii) how to write a research proposal and (iii) research ethics and security.

In the course of Semester 3, students will present aspects of their research paper (see below) at Project Seminar sessions. These seminars will give students an opportunity to jointly explore issues, discuss challenges associated with the research process and share ideas on each other’s research paper. A minimum of 75% seminar attendance is a prerequisite for submitting the research paper.

Second year of study:

SVF-3023: Project seminar (see description above)

SVF-3024: Conflict resolution and conflict transformation

SVF-3024 examines in greater depth the political and social dimensions of conflict, violence and peace, and a range of highly divergent strategies for managing, resolving and/or transforming conflict. The course consists of two distinct but related components:

(i) Social and political violence

(ii) The pursuit of peace: Conflict management and resolution.

SVF-3901: Master’s thesis

The thesis will consummate a student’s work towards the master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation (MPCT). It will manifest a student’s ability to reflect and write independently on peace and conflict related issues, drawing broadly upon the various theoretical and methodological courses, field materials, seminars and workshops surrounding MPCT.

Students are expected to write the thesis during the 3rd and 4th semesters. But, the process will practically begin in the 2nd semester with the preparation of the project proposal.

The master’s thesis is a student’s independent work using primary and/or secondary materials, but it will be written in close consultation with an academic supervisor.

A master’s thesis in the MPCT is normally 50-70 pages. It examines a specific problem in a social scientific manner and potentially contributes to the understanding of conflicts and diverse efforts at their resolution.

Data collection is to be finished by Sept. 1st in the third semester.

Elective 1 and 2:

Second and third semester

Elective courses will vary from semester to semester. The students can choose individually between courses on 2 and 3000-level offered by other departments.

It is strongly recommended that one of the electives be chosen from those courses offered in the area of methodology (except under special circumstances and by special agreement with the programme director and the thesis supervisor)

VI. Curriculum

VII. Evaluation and Examination

The type of examination is specified in each module (see table above).

Evaluation is based on the grading system A-E, F = fail.