INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACEMAKING
Estudios Globales / Global Studies
Curso 2025/2026
1. Subject Information
(Date last modified: 27-05-25 14:17)- Code
- 140523
- Plan
- 405
- ECTS
- 6.00
- Type
- Compulsory
- Year
- 3
- Duration
- First semester
- Language
- ENGLISH
- Area
- CIENCIA POLÍTICA Y DE LA ADMINISTRACIÓN
- Departament
- Derecho Público General
- Virtual platform
Professor Information
- Profesor/Profesora
- Isabel Inguanzo Ortiz
- Group/s
- Único
- Centre
- Fac. Derecho
- Office
- 219
- Office hours
- Please send an email for convening office hours
- Web address
- http://campus.usal.es/~acpa/
- isabel_io@usal.es
- Phone
- -
2. Association of the subject matter within the study plan
3. Prerequisites
There are no special requirements for this course, however taking at the same time the international security course would be helpful. Also, students should be comfortable reading in English.
4. Learning objectives
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the different drivers of international conflict,
- Identify the main strategies International Conflict Prevention
- Distinguish between peacekeeping, peacemaking & peacebuilding
- Critically identify gaps & biases in international conflict & conflict resolution literature
5. Contents
Theory.
Part. I Analyzing International Conflicts
Unit 1. Introduction to International conflicts
Unit 2. Individual factors & actors
Unit 3. Subnational-organizational factors & actors
Unit 4. National factors & actors
Unit 5. The dyadic approach
Unit 6. Systemic factors & actors
Part II.- International Conflict Resolution & Peace-making
Unit 7. Introduction to Conflict Resolution: Concepts, Definitions & Development of the Field
Unit 8. Preventing Violent Conflict
Unit 9. Containing Violent Conflict: Peacekeeping
Unit 10. Ending Violent Conflict: Peacemaking
Unit 11. Peacebuilding
6. Competences acquired
Basic / General.
K.3 Determine and connect necessary and/or available information with the purposes and missions contained in projects aimed at solving global public problems.
K.4 Consider problem-solving in a systemic manner, identifying the different elements and the interaction between them, as well as the relationship with the environment.
K.6 Integration of multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches and action strategies to address complex problems of a global nature.
K.7 Define the origin of the causes of global problems from thematic and geographical perspectives and their relationship with the political, legal, economic, and social environment.
K13. Represent data, facts, or analyses of economic, political, social, or legal origin in a global context in a concise, visually appealing, and easily interpretable manner.
K16. Present proposals, analyses, and results with precision and professionalism in written, oral, and visual formats.
Specific.
C4. Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of international security, as well as current global challenges.
C11. Recognize the global challenges and threats to the stability of national, regional, and global economic, political, and social systems.
C12. Understand the global threats and challenges that jeopardize peace and security, human rights, equality, justice, the environment, a sustainable production, and other critical domains.
Transversal.
H10. Develop skills for continuous autonomous learning in the subject areas of study.
H11. Work in teams, with responsibility and concern for the practical application of acquired knowledge in different roles.
H15. Critically connect historical and contemporary events and processes, identifying potential causal relationships and extracting valuable lessons from these interconnections.
H21. Demonstrate comprehension and expression skills in second and third languages.
7. Teaching methods
The proposed teaching method combines theoretical classes with reading discussion about international conflict & conflict resolution. Students are expected to have an active participation.
Every unit has selected readings associated to it. These are scholarly journal articles that will be available on the internet (Studium platform).
Everybody MUST read at least one reading per unit and be prepared to answer questions and engage in debates about them. Participation is essential to a successful class (10% of your final grade)
You do not have to agree with the material presented either by your professor or by the authors we will read. Your professor does, however, expect you to engage with the material and the class discussion, think about the issues they raise, come to your own conclusions, and be able to convey these conclusions to others in a respectful manner.
8. Anticipated distribution of the use of the different teaching methods
9. Resources
Reference books.
MAIN TEXTBOOK: FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT
- Cashman, G. (2013). What causes war?: an introduction to theories of international conflict. Plymouth: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
MAIN TEXTBOOK: FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION & PEACE-MAKING
- Ramsbotham, O; Woodhouse, T. & Miall, H. (2016) Contemporary Conflict Resolution (4th ed.). Cambridge; Malden, MA: Polity Press
Other bibliographic references, electronic or other types of resources.
Supplementary material will be provided through studium
10. Assessment
Assessment criteria.
|
Consideraciones Generales |
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Participation and understanding of the readings discussed in class are fundamental elements for successfully passing this course. |
|
Criterios de evaluación |
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Student involvement in the learning process. Knowledge of the course content. Ability to understand the different causes of international conflict. Ability to understand the differences stages of international conflict resolution. Ability to present, relate, and argue. Capacity for abstract reasoning. Critical analysis skills. |
Evaluation systems.
Continuous evaluation (50 % of the final mark):
- Participation (10%)
- Research work (40%)
Exam (50% of the final mark):
- 1ST PART (International Conflict): multiple choice test (25%)
- 2nd PART (Conflict Resolution): Essay type exam (25%)
Assessment recommendations.
|
Recomendaciones para la evaluación. |
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Attend and actively participate in both theoretical and practical classes. Never engage in plagiarism nor cheating. |
|
Recomendaciones para la recuperación. |
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The requirements will be the same for the second round of evaluations. |