Module: Conflict, Security & Peacebuilding

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Conflict, Security & Peacebuilding
Module Code	POL1081 (ITS: LG534)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	20942	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Gëzim Visoka	Module Teacher	Iain McMenamin, Walt Kilroy

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None