International development

Building Peace After War

Module code: 005IDA
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

“There is no way to peace because peace is the only way.” While A.J. Muste’s statement is debatable, we can perhaps agree that there are many different approaches to peace. This module encourages you to explore the various pathways to peace that scholars, practitioners, communities and people have proposed and realized. It begins by providing you with a solid theoretical and historical basis to critical peace and conflict studies scholarship. In the second week, you will consider what experiencing violence (direct, structural and cultural) does to the human condition and engage in key debates on violence is just and if peace requires violence.

The course then moves on to interrogate three themes. The first section focuses on understanding inspirations to and different knowledge systems of peace (indigenous and aboriginal worldviews, african cosmologies, religion and spirituality, creative expression). The second section of the course looks at peace movements (feminist, disabled persons, non-violent and violent movements, and environmental activism). The final part of the course considers the relationship between, peace, and institutions at the local, state and global level (education, media, legal systems and international aid organisations). This module is designed as a student-centred active and experiential learning module.

Module learning outcomes

  • Gain a deeper understanding and critically evaluate the spectrum of theoretical approaches that exist to explain and categorise approaches to peace, peace and violence with an emphasis on non-traditional and critical theories.
  • Critically apply the theoretical concepts and ideas from the course to everyday experiences, current events and national and global politics.
  • Understand, analyse and communicate to others the diverse ways in which people begin to challenge violence and injustice and promote social, political and economic transformation at the global and local level
  • Utilise the methods and techniques learned in class to extend their knowledge and understanding to initiate and carry out projects with other students and within the community