DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2011 - 2012

Module Title Conflict, Security and Peacebuilding
Module Code LG534A
School School of Law & Government

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorDr John DoyleOffice NumberC201A
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

This module is delivered by Comdt Rory Finegan who is an instructor at the United Nations Training School Ireland, Defence Forces Training Centre, The Irish Military College. The module will be of interest to students studying this topic for the first time and those in the military or who have worked in civilian organisations who have practical experience of peace operations and are seeking to put their own experience in a wider conceptual and practical setting. Both types of students have successfully taken the module. The module will introduce you to the academic literature on peace-keeping, comparative work and individual case studies - including some where the lecturers have personally participated.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss and evaluate the principles of peace support operations
2. Explain the difference between traditional peacekeeping, peace enforcement; enforcement action under the UN Charter and peace support operations
3. Critically analyse and discuss a number of contemporary and past peace operations
4. Explain the legal basis and framework of peace support operation
5. Critically discuss the political constraints on peace support operations
6. Examine the role of regional organisations such as NATO and the EU in peace support operations
7. Compare and contrast peace support operations around the world
8. Critically evaluate the civilian-military relations on peace support missions



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture12Class Lectures
Seminars12Class seminars
Independent Study226reading preparation and submission of assessments
Total Workload: 250

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

Introduction to Course Module
Geopolitical Theory and Strategic thought underpinning Peacekeeping Studies.

United Nations in a Divided World
Evolution and development of the UN from Versailles through the period of the League of Nations. Structures and development of Peace Keeping Operations (PKO’s).

Case Study: The UN in the Congo
Revisiting the “Heart of Darkness.” From ONUC to MONUC, the UN in the CONGO.

Case Study: The UN in Liberia
An analysis of the UN mission in Liberia, (UNMIL).

The UN and the Middle East
The Middle East, crucible of the UN. UNEF to UNIFIL. The Lebanon experience.

The operations in the Sudan and CHAD. Back to the Future?

The Irish Defence Forces and Peace Support Ops
Seminar at United Nations Training School, Ireland. (UNTSI). Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare.

Responsibility to Protect (R2P).
A new paradigm? Human Rights of women and children in peace Operations. Trafficking.

The UN in the Balkans
“The Powderkeg of Europe.” The unravelling of the Balkans, with a specific case study of Kosovo.

Future Trends
The Future of the UN, The UN reform process. A UN emergency peace service.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Center on International Cooperation, NYU: 0, Annual Review of Global Peace Operations for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009., Lynne Rienner, Boulder Colorado, USA.,
  • Ratner, S.R.,: 1995, The New UN Peacekeeping, Macmillan,
  • C. Lekha Sriram, O. Martin-Ortega and J. Herman,: 2010, War, Conflict and Human Rights, Routledge,
  • White, N. and Klassen, K. (eds),: 2005, The UN, human rights and post-conflict situations, Manchester University Press,
  • O’Neill, Terry and Rees, Nicholas: 2005, United Nations Peacekeeping in the Post Cold War Era, Routledge,
Other Resources

1048, Report, United Nations,, 2000, Report of the Panel on UN Peacekeeping Operations (Brahimi Report), UN, A/55/305-S/2000/809, 23 August 2000., UN, 1049, Report, UN Secretary General, 1999, Report of the Secretary General pursuant to General Assembly resolution 53/35 – The fall of Srebrenica, General Assembly A/54/549, 15 November 1999., UN, 1050, other readings, 0, Provided on a weekly basis via on-line learning environment Moodle,
Programme or List of Programmes
MIRMA in International Relations
MISCMA in International Security & Conflict
Archives: