The field of peace and conflict studies is multilevel, multidisciplinary and multicultural, comprising analytical, normative, theoretical, and practical perspectives. In this course students will learn the key analytical skills that define this field, including conflict mapping, analysis of the stages/evolution of conflict (the ABC triangle), and will apply these skills to specific case studies. This process of application will enable students to better understand the relationship between the framing of any individual conflict and the development of strategies to manage and resolve that conflict. Students will learn what strategies and interventions may have a positive effect in a conflict situation, how what we mean by positive may vary depending on the analytical tools we are employing, and what strategies and interventions should be avoided. Throughout the course conversation is underpinned by an emphasis on the ‘do no harm’ framework.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the contextual reality of what peace and conflict can mean from various perspectives, and the role of political, cultural, legal and historical inheritances to the development of those perspectives
2. Refine their personal interests, skills and expertise in the field of peace and conflict studies through a focus on case studies in the Asia-Pacific region.
3. Demonstrate extended knowledge of peace and conflict, as well as the conceptual foundations for understanding the mechanisms that drive peace and conflict processes.
4. Develop a robust understanding of conflict analysis tools, and apply them to evaluate specific case studies of peace and conflict.
5. Clearly and persuasively showcase their knowledge of academic skills through written assessments.
6. Communicate research findings on the drivers and actors of specific case studies, and create innovative research approaches to case studies by using visual research tools (conflict analysis tools), thus demonstrating their comprehension of the practical skills of conflict analysis.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	Negotiation skills I: Psychology of making peace
3	Negotiation skills II: Approaches
4	Negotiation skills III: Mediation
5	Negotiation exam	Negotiation exam due, Wednesday 20 August
6	Peace negotiation simulation
7	Conflict and scenario analysis in practice
8	Conflict and atrocity prevention tools
9	Creative transitional justice
10	Film screening: Paangshu	Research essay due, Monday 6 October
11	Evaluating mis/disinformation
12	Mis/disinformation simulation	Research simulation materials due Thursday 23 October

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Seminar participation	10 %	*	*	1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Exam	40 %	20/08/2025	29/08/2025	1, 3, 5
Research essay	30 %	06/10/2025	20/10/2025	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Research simulation	20 %	23/10/2025	*	1, 2, 3, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Seminar participation

Students are expected to actively participate in the seminar or equivalent activity each week. This requirement is designed to create a platform for robust discussions, and to refine student's personal interests, skills and expertise in the field of peace and conflict studies.

If a student cannot attend a seminar/activity, and has a valid reason (such as a medical certificate), they can make up for the missed participation mark by writing a 150 word overview of the strengths and weaknesses of one of the readings for that week. This overview, along with the supporting evidence, should be emailed to Charlotte (charlotte.grech-madin@anu.edu.au ) before the following seminar (unless alternative arrangements have been made with Charlotte).

Assessment Task 2

Exam

An online exam on best practices of negotiation will be administered during the seminar time of Week 5. This will assess students' knowledge of the readings in the first four weeks of the course. Further details will be outlined in class.

The aim is to verify how students are able to utilise and express in an analytical way the material that they have absorbed in the first part of the semester, particularly the key skills and mechanisms that drive peace negotiation processes.

Assessment Task 3

Research essay

Students will write a 1,800 word research essay (excluding references) identifying and analysing the future trajectory of a current conflict or crisis of their choosing. A list of cases that students may wish to select from will be provided.

 

The essay should refer to tools that conflict parties and external actors may employ to shape the future of the conflict, including prevention initiatives, and creative transitional justice. It should also include a visualisation of a ‘scenario tree.’ Further details will be provided in class.

 

The aim is to communicate empirical findings on the drivers and actors of a specific case study through application of visual conflict and scenario analysis tools.

Assessment Task 4

Research simulation

In light of the research essay that you had to write, in small groups, students will take part in a simulation on a key challenge affecting our ability to analyse and predict conflict: mis- and disinformation. In this simulation, different actors will present their accounts of a conflict, which will be evaluated by an information committee. The exercise is designed to build on the research essay by enhancing students’ ability to collect and critically assess data on armed conflict, understand the contextual reality of what peace and conflict can mean from various perspectives, and clearly and persuasively showcase their knowledge of academic source criticism skills.

 

Each group will be assessed on their preparation work/case notes (i.e. an overview and reasoning of the case from a given actor's perspective) as well as handouts/visual aids (e.g. PowerPoints, graphs, charts, or signs). The following assessment criteria will be used:

- Argument, analysis and originality of the group's position

- Use of examples, principles of source criticism, and further reading

 

The group must submit a document of up to 1500 words (excluding references) of their preparation work/case notes, and a copy of their handouts/visual aids, on Canvas after the simulation.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students