Introduction To Peace And Conflict Resolution
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 75 pages
- 9 units
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of conflict resolution. It explores various theories of conflict, including consensus, coercion, and Marxist perspectives. The course examines different types of conflict, such as political, identity, and economic conflicts, with a focus on the Nigerian context. It also delves into the causes of conflict, considering colonial legacies, the global system, and political culture. Finally, it discusses the concept of peace and various approaches to conflict resolution and management.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 50 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM301, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM301 · UNIT 3: CAUSES OF CONFLICT
In the previous lectures, we have been able to establish that conflicts are inherent aspects of human relation whether at the group, national or international levels. In this unit, we shall be exposed to a variety of causes of conflict especially the immediate causes.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the key theories and concepts related to conflict.
- Identify different types of conflict and their underlying causes.
- Analyze the role of environmental factors in conflict situations.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of various conflict resolution and management strategies.
- Apply conflict analysis techniques to real-world scenarios.
What it prepares you for
- Peace Officer
- Mediator
- Conflict Analyst
- Diplomat
- Social Worker
- Government
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- International Relations
- Community Development
- Law Enforcement
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 1: Concept of Conflict
The Marxist theory requires understanding complex socio-economic dynamics and historical materialism.
- Module 2: Environment and Conflict
Unit 1: Basic Analysis of Environment
Understanding the interplay between climate change, environmental degradation, and resource scarcity requires interdisciplinary knowledge.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 60 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 1: Concept of Conflict · 3 hours
Read the introduction to understand the basic definition of conflict.. Study the consensus or order model and its assumptions.. Complete Exercise 1 to outline the assumptions of De Tocqueville..
Unit 1: Concept of Conflict · 3 hours
Study the coercion model and its basic assumptions.. Understand the Marxist theory or class struggle model.. Complete Exercise 2 to differentiate concepts of conflict..
- Week 2Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 2: Types of Conflict · 4 hours
Outline the various types of conflicts.. Mention the nature of the conflicts whether they were temporary or long-term.. State the difference between urban violence and conflict..
- Week 3Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 2: Types of Conflict · 3 hours
Define political conflict and identify its causes.. Complete Exercise 1 to define political conflict in your own words.. Study the frustration-aggression theory..
Unit 2: Types of Conflict · 3 hours
Understand the concept of identity conflict and its dimensions.. Outline the factors responsible for the integration of religion and ethnicity into a system of common identity in Nigeria.. Complete Exercise 2 to outline the factors..
- Week 4Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 2: Types of Conflict · 4 hours
Study economic conflict and its causes.. Understand the role of land and economic inequality.. Examine urban violence and its forms in Nigerian cities..
- Week 5Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 3: Causes of Conflict · 4 hours
Outline the various causes of conflict.. Mention the nature of the conflicts whether they were temporary or long-term.. State the difference between urban violence and conflict..
- Week 6Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 3: Causes of Conflict · 3 hours
Explain the views of Donald Kegan regarding causes of conflict.. Study the colonial legacy and its impact on conflicts in Nigeria.. Complete Exercise 1 to explain Kegan's views..
Unit 3: Causes of Conflict · 3 hours
Understand the role of the global system in causing conflicts.. Mention some of the effects of availability of SALW on the Nigerian society.. Complete Exercise 2 to mention effects of SALW..
- Week 7Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 3: Causes of Conflict · 4 hours
Discuss the nature of the political culture in Nigeria.. Study the role of thuggery and election rigging.. Complete Exercise 3 to discuss the political culture..
- Week 8Module 1: Conceptual Issues
Unit 4: Concept of Peace · 3 hours
Study the philosophical perspective of peace.. Examine the value profiles built into the definition of peace by New Lexicon Webster's Dictionary.. Complete Exercise 1 to examine the value profiles..
Unit 4: Concept of Peace · 3 hours
Discuss St Augustine's view of peace.. Study the sociological perspective of peace.. Complete Exercise 2 to discuss St Augustine's view..
- Week 9Module 2: Environment and Conflict
Unit 1: Basic Analysis of Environment · 4 hours
Give various definitions of environment.. Discuss the types of environment.. Outline the factors inherent in the environment that can ignite conflict in Nigeria..
- Week 10Module 2: Environment and Conflict
Unit 1: Basic Analysis of Environment · 4 hours
Study the factors of environment that causes conflict in Nigeria.. Understand environmental pollution and its effects.. Do you agree with Albert Einstein description of environment as 'anything that isn't me?'.
- Week 11Module 2: Environment and Conflict
Unit 2: Resources and Conflict · 4 hours
Study the polemics of resources and conflicts.. Outline the positions of the various schools of thought on the relation between natural resources and conflicts.. Complete Exercise 1 to outline the positions..
- Week 12Module 2: Environment and Conflict
Unit 2: Resources and Conflict · 4 hours
Understand oil as a conflict commodity.. Study the forms of oil-related conflicts.. Complete Exercise 2 to explain the forms..
- Week 13Module 3:
Unit 1: Conflict Dynamics and Analysis · 4 hours
State the differences between conflict dynamics and conflict analysis.. State why conflict analysis is important and identify the components of conflict analysis and conflict dynamics.. Distinguish between conflict dynamics and conflict analysis.
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Units 1-4 theories of conflict.
- Focus on the Nigerian context examples in Units 2 and 3.
- Review the definitions of key terms in Units 1 and 4.
- Practice applying conflict analysis methods from Unit 1 Module 3 to case studies.
- Summarize the main points of each unit and review them regularly.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM301 about?
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of conflict resolution. It explores various theories of conflict, including consensus, coercion, and Marxist perspectives. The course examines different types of conflict, such as political, identity, and economic conflicts, with a focus on the Nigerian context. It also delves into the causes of conflict, considering colonial legacies, the global system, and political culture. Finally, it discusses the concept of peace and various approaches to conflict resolution and management.
How many units does ESM301 have?
ESM301, Introduction To Peace And Conflict Resolution, has 9 units across 3 modules, over 75 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM301?
ESM301 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is ESM301 hard?
ESM301 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ESM301 take to study?
About 50 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.
How is ESM301 assessed?
ESM301 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ESM301?
Peace Officer, Mediator, Conflict Analyst, Diplomat and Social Worker.