Module: Conflict, Security & Peacebuilding

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Conflict, Security & Peacebuilding
Module Code	LG534 (ITS) / POL1081 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
Module Co-ordinator	Gëzim Visoka
Module Teachers	Iain McMenamin, Walt Kilroy
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
Array

Description

This module examines substantially key conceptual and practical aspects underpinning contemporary conflict, security practices, and peacebuilding interventions in conflict-affected societies peacekeeping and peace-making. The first part of the module examines the changing dynamics of inter-state conflicts and civil wars in a transitional international order. The second part of the module looks at different approaches to maintaining international security, ranging from preventive diplomacy to military interventions. The third part of the module looks at the efforts, achievements, and failures of the international community to build a sustainable peace and rebuild a viable state in conflict-affected societies. The module covers main theoretical and conceptual aspects undermining conflict, security, and peacebuilding, as well as uses case studies and engages with policy practices.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand thoroughly the changing dynamics of inter-state and civil wars in an transitional world order
2. Critically assess the toolbox of approaches and responses to maintain international security and deal with crisis situations
3. Develop reflexive understanding of peacebuilding in theory and practice
4. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of case studies and policy processes covered in this module
5. Apply the knowledge acquired in this module to new cases as well to other related debates in international relations and security studies.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Seminars	30	Class seminars
Independent Study	226	Reading preparation and submission of assessments
Total Workload: 256

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Violence, Conflict, and War

Global Insecurity and Civil Wars

Traditional and Non-Traditional Security

UN Preventive Diplomacy and Peacekeeping

Humanitarian Intervention and Responsibility to Protect

International Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Top-down Peacebuilding

Bottom-up Peace Formation

Transitional Justice and Reconciliation

Statebuilding

Future of peace, conflict and security

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	A 4,000 words essay based on a list of essay titles provided at the beginning of semester.	75%	n/a
Participation	Class discussion	25%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Oliver P. Richmond: 2014, Failed Statebuilding: Intervention, the State and the Dynamics of Peace Formation, Yale University Press,
Alan Collins: 2016, Contemporary Security Studies, 4th, Oxford University Press,
Gëzim Visoka: 2016, Peace Figuration after International Intervention: Intentions, Events and Consequences of Liberal Peacebuilding, Routledge,

Other Resources

None