PECOS4010 – Conflict and state building
Course description
Course content
This course provides an introduction to central theories of conflict, war and peace. Moreover, the course provides an introduction to the relationship between conflict, war and peace and certain phenomena such as a country’s system of government and nationalism.
Both the theoretical premises and the mechanisms that link the explanatory factors to decisions on war and peace will be discussed. To some extent, the empirical support for various theories and hypothesis will be discussed. The course will mainly be taught by political scientists.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
Students will
- Be familiar with main concepts and definitions associated with studies of conflict, war and peace.?
- Acquire knowledge of main theoretical perspectives and key issues of intra- and international conflict, war and peace.?
- Be introduced to the relationship between conflict, war and peace and key factors such as systems of governance, trade, economic development and nationalism.?
- Be familiar with the empirical support of main theories and hypotheses of conflict, war and peace.
Skills:
Students will
- Acquire understanding of how theories and explanatory factors at different levels can be combined in analyses of conflict and peace.
- Be able to formulate researchable questions and analyse them according to scientific methods of research.
- Be able to communicate academic knowledge in writing and orally and provide constructive criticism of other students’ assignments.
Competences:
Students will
- Acquire general understanding of key factors and mechanisms causing conflict and enabling peace and be able to critically analyse historic and comparative cases of intra- and international conflict, war and peace.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
Knowledge of research methods.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with PECOS4000 – Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies (discontinued).
Teaching
Lectures.
Examination
3 hour written school exam.
Examination support material
Usage of a dictionary during the examination is allowed, subject to prior inspection by SV-info.?See guidelines for further details.
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.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.