OAGR 2225 - Conflict Analysis in Practice

***NEW COURSE***

In this course students will familiarize themselves with the key conflict analysis tools used to design interventions, from international development to humanitarian interventions. Students will better understand the relationship between the framing of any individual conflict and the development of strategies to manage and resolve that conflict. Students will learn which strategies and interventions may have a positive effect in a specific conflict situation, how what we mean by positive may vary depending on the analytical tools we are employing, and what strategies and interventions should be avoided. The course is also underpinned by an emphasis on the ‘do no harm’ framework, applied by many organizations operating on the ground.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Demonstrate a core knowledge of peace and conflict processes, as well as the conceptual foundations for understanding the mechanisms that drive development and humanitarian processes.
• Understand how risk management operates in many interventionary settings, and how this structures what is possible (or not) from an interventionary perspective.
• Refine personal interests, skills and expertise in the field of peace and conflict studies.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Communicate research findings on the drivers and actors present in your conflict analysis to an audience. Create innovative research approaches through the use of conflict analysis tools, and make a persuasive case that this is the best course of action in a specific setting.
• Apply specific conflict analysis tools in a systematic way to a case study (nurturing the development of a regional expertise).
• Articulate good practices, key principles and quality criteria to conduct a conflict analysis process, and understand what defines a set of practices that should be avoided when designing an intervention for a specific setting.

N/A

I will have specific (virtual) office hours to discuss any issues the students might have – struggling with material in class, and difficulty with specific readings. This will also allow for a personalized discussion on the feedback for each assessment.

Each assessment will be individually marked and feedback will be provided to students on the assessment sheets. Students will be encouraged to discuss individual feedback during the office hours.

• 30% Three in-class multiple choice tests (10% each), to verify if students follow the core readings and material discussed in class (and if they might need additional help from the instructor).
• 40% Take-home essay. The student will use specific conflict analysis tools to support the analysis of a specific conflict. The choice of the specific case study will be discussed between the instructor and the student.
• 20% Oral presentation of the essay to the class (and the instructor).
• 10% Participation in class

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 1 hours a week / 12 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3 hours a week / 36 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 5 hours a week / 60 hours a semester