ISSSV4854 – Peace Research
Course description
Course content
The course provides a general introduction to this interdisciplinary field with an empirical focus. This is combined with more detailed study of selected areas and themes. Major topics are conflict resolution, causes of armed conflicts, issues of gender, identity and human rights, humanitarian intervention, peace keeping and peace building efforts. The conflict resolution segment builds on lectures on specific peace processes and negotiations, and also the ethical dilemmas of attempting to intervene in conflicts.
The content varies from year to year according to current conflict areas and/or the special expertise of the course leader(s).
Learning outcome
Peace Research aims at understanding conflict in order to help resolve it. To provide insight into and make students aware of the major conceptual and methodological issues within the discipline.
Admission
If you would like to take this course, you must apply directly to the International Summer School.
Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
A completed Bachelor’s degree or a period of study comparable with a Norwegian Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution. Minimum academic requirements.
Applicants should have a related degree in social sciences, humanities, law and/or peace an conflict studies studies.
Recommended previous knowledge
Documented personal or professional experience in the areas of peace research and/or conflict resolution and peacebuilding may also qualify applicants even though their academic background does not match the course profile.
Teaching
The course consists of 26 lectures, 3 hours daily, Monday to Friday, for six weeks. Classroom sessions include lectures, group work, presentations and discussions. A visit to the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) is included.
Active participation throughout the course is expected of the students, and attendance during realtime lectures, seminars and discussions is required. The parts of the course based on recorded materials can be accessed by the students at any time. Students must attend a minimum of 75% of the lectures in order to take the final exam.
Examination
The course includes preparatory activities and a final written exam. Preparatory activities tentatively include attendance, active class participation, group work, and a presentation, and will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis. The final written exam lasts for 4 hours and counts for 100% of the total grade.
Only candidates who passed the preparatory activities are permitted to take the final exam.
You can check your results and order transcripts in StudentWeb three weeks after the exam.
Digital examination
The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.
Read more about written examinations using Inspera.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Candidates who have a re-scheduled or new examination are allowed take the next ordinary examination. If you have successfully passed obligatory assignments, or other compulsory activities required before you are qualified to attend the exam, you need not re-sit these.
Only students with either valid absence (doctor's note) or students who failed the exam can re-sit an exam.
Contact the ISS Office for more information.
Withdrawal from an examination
A student can take the class and sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, she/he must submit the Course change and withdrawal request form at the latest one week before the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam, which is the general rule at UiO.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.
Other
This course is offered in cooperation with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).