Introduction To Peace Studies
- Social Sciences
- 700 level
- 3 credit units
- 189 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces Peace Studies as an academic discipline, exploring its genesis, theoretical foundations, and ethics concerning war and peace. It analyzes contemporary conflicts, focusing on conflict mapping and theory. The course examines dimensions of peace, conflict, and violence, including ethnic and religious factors, marginalization, justice, equality, and environmental issues. It also reviews approaches to peace, such as UN missions, NGO activities, civil society roles, and international human rights laws, providing students with tools for positive change.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PCR711, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PCR711 · UNIT 1: DEFINITIONS
There are 4 Modules in this course. Each module has 5 Units. The modules are designed to cover the four major aims of the course and arranged accordingly.
What you should be able to do
- Define conflict and peace
- Analyze conflict situations
- Apply conflict resolution strategies
- Understand ethnic and religious factors in conflict
- Evaluate peacebuilding approaches
What it prepares you for
- Peace Officer
- Conflict Mediator
- Human Rights Advocate
- Diplomat
- Social Worker
- Government
- Non-profit
- International Organizations
- Law Enforcement
- Education
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Concepts and Theories in Peace and Conflict Studies
Unit 2: Theories
Theories require understanding of various perspectives and their historical context.
- Module 4: Discourse in Peace and Conflict Management
Unit 3: Human Rights
Requires understanding of the legal and ethical implications of human rights in conflict zones.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 45 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Concepts and Theories in Peace and Conflict Studies
Unit 1: Definitions · 3 hours
Read definitions of conflict and peace.. Reflect on personal associations with conflict.. Complete the 'Survey about Conflict and Me'..
- Week 2Module 1: Concepts and Theories in Peace and Conflict Studies
Unit 2: Theories · 3 hours
Describe the psycho-dynamic perspective on conflict.. Explain Kurt Lewin's field theory.. Discuss the limitations of experimental game research..
- Week 3Module 1: Concepts and Theories in Peace and Conflict Studies
Unit 3: Causes Of Conflict · 3 hours
Explain how conflicts may occur due to resources.. Describe how psychological needs can cause conflict.. Discuss how mismanagement of information can generate conflict..
- Week 4Module 1: Concepts and Theories in Peace and Conflict Studies
Unit 4: Conflict Analysis · 3 hours
Describe the concept of conflict analysis.. Explain the Onion Analytical Tool.. Discuss the relevance of Force Field Analysis..
- Week 5Module 1: Concepts and Theories in Peace and Conflict Studies
Unit 5: Peace Processes 1 · 3 hours
Analyze Alternative Dispute Resolution as a mechanism for peace.. Describe the stages of negotiation.. Define mediation and its stages..
- Week 6Module 2: Fundamentals of Peace Studies
Unit 1: Peace Processes II · 3 hours
Explain the meaning of arbitration.. Differentiate between arbitration and adjudication.. Describe transformative facilitation..
- Week 7Module 2: Fundamentals of Peace Studies
Unit 2: Communication · 3 hours
Describe the components of communication.. Identify factors for smooth communication.. Explain active listening techniques..
- Week 8Module 2: Fundamentals of Peace Studies
Unit 3: Ethnicity · 3 hours
Describe ethnicity as a study of a group of people.. Distinguish between the Africanist and Western schools of thought.. Describe the Africanist approach to resolving ethnic conflicts..
- Week 9Module 2: Fundamentals of Peace Studies
Unit 4: Factors for National Integration of Nigeria · 3 hours
Explain the implications of the regionalization of Nigeria.. Identify factors that can make nation building possible.. Describe the role of the military in nation building..
- Week 10Module 2: Fundamentals of Peace Studies
Unit 5: Civil -Military Relation And The Promotions of Peace In Democratic Nigeria · 3 hours
Explain the history of military transition.. Describe the relationship between CSOs and the military.. Identify factors that will reform civil-military relations..
- Week 11Module 3: Issues in Conflict Management
Unit 1: Religion, Peace And Conflicts In Nigeria · 3 hours
Describe the different belief systems in Nigeria.. Explain the history of religious crises in Nigeria.. Identify resolution options..
- Week 12Module 3: Issues in Conflict Management
Unit 2: Peace Education · 3 hours
Explain the importance of Peace Education.. Identify different teaching contexts.. Describe the concept of Peace Education..
Unit 3: African Endogenous Peace Institutions · 3 hours
Describe the traditional society.. Explain conflict sources among indigenous Africans.. Discuss traditional institutions for conflict prevention..
- Week 13Module 3: Issues in Conflict Management
Unit 4: Small Arms, Children And Girls In Armed Conflicts · 3 hours
Describe small arms and light weapons.. Explain factors for its proliferation.. Describe ECOWAS efforts in controlling small arms.. Describe the process of recruitment and activities of child soldiers..
Unit 5: Post Conflict Reconstruction · 3 hours
Describe post conflict environment.. Describe the stages of peace processes.. Identify peace-building tasks..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Module 1 theories to real-world conflicts
- Practice applying the Onion Analysis tool to case studies from Units 4-5
- Review key definitions from Unit 1 weekly
- Focus on understanding the ECOWAS protocol from Module 3 Unit 4
- Outline the steps in the mediation process from Module 1 Unit 5
Questions students ask about this course
What is PCR711 about?
This course introduces Peace Studies as an academic discipline, exploring its genesis, theoretical foundations, and ethics concerning war and peace. It analyzes contemporary conflicts, focusing on conflict mapping and theory. The course examines dimensions of peace, conflict, and violence, including ethnic and religious factors, marginalization, justice, equality, and environmental issues. It also reviews approaches to peace, such as UN missions, NGO activities, civil society roles, and international human rights laws, providing students with tools for positive change.
How many units does PCR711 have?
PCR711, Introduction To Peace Studies, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 189 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PCR711?
PCR711 carries 3 credit units, at 700 level in Social Sciences.
Is PCR711 hard?
PCR711 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does PCR711 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is PCR711 assessed?
PCR711 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with PCR711?
Peace Officer, Conflict Mediator, Human Rights Advocate, Diplomat and Social Worker.