International peacebuilding has become a core activity for the United Nations and a range of other international bodies and agencies. The module will explore the different conceptions of peace involved in these activities. It will look at a range of peacebuilding interventions focusing mainly on international peace support operations. It will trace the history of dominant approaches to peacebuilding. It will show how the nature and scope of United Nations operations have changed considerably since the ending of the Cold War, and non-UN agencies such as NATO and the African Union, have gained prominence, while the range of tasks they undertake has expanded. It will also explore alternative approaches focusing on local ideas and interventions in peacebuilding.

How can we define peace? Concepts of negative and positive peace; the rise of the 'liberal peace'. Theories of peacebuilding and reconciliation Dominant contemporary approaches to peacebuilding; the role of the UN Statebuilding as peacebuilding Examining the possibilities and challenges of key elements of peace support operations, including monitoring ceasefires, DDR, overseeing post conflict elections. Peace support operations in practice: evaluating impacts in cases such as El Salvador to East Timor, DRC, Sudan. The limits of international peacebuilding and the challenge of 'hybridity'. The gendered dimensions of peacebuilding; alternatives to international peacebuilding, including indigenous approaches.

1. Knowledge and understanding of conceptions of peace and how these are applied in practice; of the role of peacebuilding in global politics; of dominant contemporary approaches; of the challenges peacebuilders face; of critiques of international peacebuidling; and of alternative, local approaches. 2. An ability to analyse the origins, evolution and rationale for peace support operations and assess their strategies, problems and prospects in post-conflict situations. 3. An ability to examine conceptual and definition problems surrounding peacebuilding. 4. An ability to evaluate a range of peace operations as case studies. 5. The development of advanced research, essay writing and presentation skills, demanding analysis and synthesis of complex ideas and examples.

1. An awareness of the values and norms that underpin peacebuilding. 2. An awareness of debates about the impact of peacebuilding. 3. An awareness of diverse views and an ability to respond to these with consideration and respect. 4. An awareness of how to apply reason and evidence in the analysis of complex and sensitive questions.

N/A

The graduate seminar in peacebuilding will be taught through lectures, seminar discussions, student presentations and a range of assignments. Students will be required to write essays, give presentations and engage in debates in various forms. Knowledgeable: Students will be provided with an extensive reading list identifying both key readings and a longer list of relevant readings. They will be expected to critically review the literature in their assignments. They will undertake individual research and will also be encouraged to participate in group activities in class. Lectures will provide insights into the literature, key concepts and debates and will guide students to most significant and recent research findings. Proactive: Students will be actively encouraged through various techniques in class and in assignments to lead discussions in seminars and to develop further their skills as researchers and analysts. They will be expected to collaborate as a learning community in seminars, for instance through debates, small group work and roundtables. Responsible: Achievement will depend on independent work and students will therefore recognise the importance of this. Articulate: assignments will demand critical thinking skills and the application of disciplinary knowledge and students will be supported to develop their written and verbal literacy.