In the 21st century the need for effective peacebuilding and conflict resolution is as great as ever. Many long-running conflicts remain unresolved. Pessimists see the menacing potential for new wars looming just over the horizon. What are the conditions for sustainable peace? This course begins by examining the mechanisms available for bringing about peaceful resolutions to conflict and war. We seek to analyse the prospects for peace in the 21st century through a close engagement with concepts and examples of conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. These case studies illustrate different challenges and approaches to conflict resolution and peace building. Students will be encouraged to consider the communication strategies, attitudes towards justice, political instincts and other practical attributes that are relevant to resolving conflict and building peace in such contexts. To facilitate a hands-on appreciation of those attributes, the course includes a hypothetical exercise designed to challenge us to understand and negotiate peace from a variety of real-world perspectives.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Gained a practical perspective on conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the 21st century, and developed the conceptual apparatus for understanding contemporary peacebuilding efforts, including in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Understood concepts that are considered in detail including violence, conflict, peace, negotiation, resolution, peacekeeping, justice, and reconciliation, with special attention to those situations where peace processes have consistently failed to achieve their goals.
- Clarified their knowledge of these concepts with respect to a case study.
- Analysed different patterns of conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and the specific places and times in which they are relevant, in the context of developing a fuller appreciation of the practical challenges involved in efforts for peace.
Demonstrated skills in applying conflict resolution tools and techniques to understand, negotiate and resolve conflict.
Indicative Assessment
Tutorial Participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Expert Panel Presentation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Mid-term quiz (30) [LO 1,2,4]
- Peace negotiation simulation (20) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Reflective research essay (2000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. The course comprises a maximum of 6,000 words of assessment or the equivalent. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Mimmi Söderberg Kovacs and Isak Svensson (2025). “Triangulating Peace: How Adversaries Build Sustainable Peace Through Negotiated Settlements,” Negotiation Journal, 41: 99–127
Peter Wallensteen (2023). Understanding Conflict Resolution (London: Sage Publications, 6th edn.)
Oliver P. Richmond and Gëzim Visoka (eds.) (2021). The Oxford Handbook of Peacebuilding, Statebuilding, and Peace Formation (Oxford: Oxford University Press)
and others to be provided.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7359 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |