Peace Studies 2751-KONJA-PS

Apart from the information contained in the brief description the lecture will focus on the following topics:
Peace studies – lecture
1. Introduction to peace studies; concepts of peace and violence:
• What is Peace Studies?
• Evolution of the discipline
• Peace research as an interdisciplinary field
• Major institutions – international law, UN Charter, peaceful settlement of disputes, collective security, responsibility to protect (R2P), international humanitarian law
• Current global peace challenges
• Negative and positive peace
• Direct, structural and cultural violence
• Human security
• Sustainable peace
2. Causes of Violent Conflict
• Political causes
• Economic inequality
• Identity conflicts
• Ethnic and religious violence
• Climate change
• Resource conflicts
Case studies
3. Human Rights and Peace
• Human rights as foundations of peace
• Minority protection
• Refugees
• Humanitarian action
• Responsibility of states
Case studies
4. Gender, Peace and Security
• Women, Peace and Security Agenda
• UNSC Resolution 1325
• Sexual violence in armed conflict
• Gender-sensitive peacebuilding
5. Cities, Local Peacebuilding and Urban Peace
• Cities in peacebuilding
• Local governance
• Urban violence
• Community resilience
• City diplomacy
• Peace through local governance
Case studies
6. Environment, Climate Change and Peace and Contemporary Challenges to Peace
• Climate security
• Water conflicts
• Environmental peacebuilding
• Climate migration
• Disaster risk reduction
Case studies
Topics
• Terrorism
• Cybersecurity
• Artificial intelligence
• Hybrid warfare
• Disinformation
• Emerging technologies.

Classes - Peace studies – list of presentations

Introduction and organization classes – Agnieszka Szpak
1. Peace-building - concept, essence and contemporary conditions (the concept of peace-building; UN Peacebuilding Commission (https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/commission) – its establishment, tasks, composition and activities, countries on the Peacebuilding Commission agenda, assessment of the Peacebuilding Commission activities and its potential)
2. The activities of the United Nations and international organizations to build peace in its human dimension - legal basis and types of UN peacekeeping operations, UN Interim Administration, humanitarian intervention and “responsibility to protect”, humanitarian and development aid for the reconstruction of the State, Sustainable Development Goals.
3. Legal instruments of peace-building from the perspective of human security - the principle of the rule of law and human rights, transitional justice and punishment of international criminals, Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, ad hoc international criminal tribunals, hybrid tribunals, the International Criminal Court and its activities, advantages and disadvantages of retributive and restorative justice.
4. The role of civil society and non-governmental organizations in peace-building - the concept of civil society, the role of civil society, the concept and types of non-governmental organizations, consultative status of non-governmental organizations, functions and methods of operation of non-governmental organizations.
5. Demobilization and proliferation of small and light weapons – characteristics of small and light weapons, international law regulations concerning small and light weapons, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and its importance in peace-building.
6. Failed/fragile States and the threats they generate in the context of peace-building – the concept of failed/fragile State, Fragile States Index and criteria for its compilation, characteristics of failed/fragile States and the concept of asymmetric threats, failed/fragile States and terrorism, solving the problem of failed/fragile States.

Total student workload

Lecture: Participation in the lecture - 15 h Reading literature - 30 h Preparing for the exam - 30 h Total: 75 h (3 ECTS) Classes: Participation in classes – 15 h; Direct preparation for classes (including consultations and feedback) – 10 h; Reading literature – 15 h; Preparing a speech and multimedia presentation – 10 h Total: 50 h (2 ECTS)

Learning outcomes - knowledge

A student: K1: has profound knowledge about the objective and character of international politics and their interdisciplinary specificity related to security and peace studies (K_W01); K2: has profound knowledge about the rights of the individual and communities in the international arena and is familiar with the mechanisms of peace-building such as the United Nations and other international organizations, legal instruments such as international criminal courts and tribunals as well as truth and reconciliation commissions (K_W07); K3: has detailed knowledge about international relations affecting security, in particular is aware of the threats caused to peace by political causes, economic inequality, identity conflicts, ethnic and religious violence, climate change, and resource conflicts (K_W08).

Learning outcomes - skills

A student: S1: analyses and interprets the legal documents and reports issued within international organizations and relevant literature (K_U01); S2: analyses and interprets legal texts of international law of peace and security (K_U10).

Learning outcomes - social competencies

A student: SC1: is ready to autonomously and critically evaluate the information (K_K01); SC2: is abe to think and act in a creative manner (K_K03).

Course coordinators

Agnieszka Szpak

Teaching methods

The lecture is a classical lecture when the academic teacher gives lectures. From time to time a discussion with the students is possible. The classes are conducted with the use of the method of an introductory lecture followed by presentation made by two- or three-students groups. After that there is a discussion with the participation of all students present. Conventional lecture and presentations.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of basic terminology relating to armed conflicts, international organizations, international law, and human rights.

Assessment criteria

The lecture concludes with a written, essay-based examination or, where necessary, an oral examination.

Requirements for passing the written examination:

Question 1 – 3 points
Question 2 – 3 points
Question 3 – 1 point.

Grading scale:

7 points – very good (5.0)
6 points – good plus (4.5)
5 points – good (4.0)
4 points – satisfactory plus (3.5)
3 points – satisfactory (3.0)

Classes:
Each student taking part in the classes has to present a paper (oral presentation). I will also take into account the attendance and activities during classes.
1 absence is allowed.

Practical placement

Not applicable.

Bibliography

Basic literature:

1. Barash, D. P., Webel, Ch. P., Peace and Conflict Studies, SAGE Publications, 2022.
2. Bloomfield, D., Barnes, T., Huyse, L. (eds.), Reconciliation After Violent Conflict: A Handbook, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, Stockholm 2003.
3. Chesterman, S., Ignatieff, M., Thakur, R. (eds.), Making States Work: State Failure and the Crisis of Governance, United Nations University, Tokyo–New York–Paris 2005.
4. Galtung, J., Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies, Routledge, 2007.
5. Mason, T. D., Meernik, J. D. (eds.), Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding in Post-War Societies: Sustaining the Peace, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, New York–London 2006.
6. von Tigerstrom, B., Human Security and International Law: Prospects and Problems, Hart Publishing, Oxford–Portland 2007.

Additional literature:

1. Arnold, R., Knoops, G. J. A. (eds.), Practice and Policies of Modern Peace Operations Under International Law, Transnational Publishers, New York 2006.
2. Holzgrefe, J. L., Keohane, R. O. (eds.), Humanitarian Intervention: Ethical, Legal, and Political Dilemmas, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2003.
3. Schmitt, M. N., Beruto, G. L. (eds.), Terrorism and International Law: Challenges and Responses, San Remo 2003.
4. Thakur, R., The United Nations, Peace and Security, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2006.
5. Welsh, J. M. (ed.), Humanitarian Intervention and International Relations, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2004.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2751-KONJA-PS in USOSweb