For millions of people worldwide, violent conflict or the threat of violent conflict, is a daily reality. In today’s rapidly changing world, it is imperative that our responses to conflict are effective, well-informed and context appropriate. This course encourages students to think creatively about the drivers of modern armed conflict and understand a range of approaches to conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The course asks the questions: What are the defining characteristics of modern conflict? What are their causes? What are the various pathways to conflict resolution? How can a sustainable peace be built? Who builds it? How should we respond to mass atrocities? How can we prevent conflicts and mass atrocities from taking place? Drawing on a range of case studies, students will consider topics such as conflicts, displacement, negotiation, mediation, conflict transformation, peacekeeping, humanitarian intervention, the responsibility to protect, peacebuilding, DDR, statebuilding, nationbuilding, reconciliation, and transitional justice.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of conflict and its consequences, along with the conceptual foundations for understanding the mechanisms that drive these components of human societies
2. Develop the conceptual apparatus for analysing different patterns of conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and the specific places and times in which they are relevant
3. Gain a fuller appreciation of the practical challenges involved in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and some of the strategies available to overcome them
4. Gain a fuller understanding of the key concepts and debates of the field of peace and conflict studies
5. Develop strong oral and written skills, critical analysis skills and gain a practical perspective on conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the 21st century

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). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	The causes and consequences of armed conflict
3	The challenges of conflict resolution and peacebuilding: Film screening 'For Sama'
4	Addressing the impact of armed conflict: Humanitarian action
5	Containing armed conflict? Peacekeeping, its challenges and future	Research Essay Due, Monday 18 March
6	Solving armed conflict: Reaching a peaceful settlement
7	Understanding armed conflict: Conflict analysis workshop
8	Dealing with the aftermath of armed conflict: Peacebuilding
9	Framing armed conflict: Media, war and peace	Policy recommendation due, Monday 29 April
10	Escalating armed conflict? Mass atrocities, humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect
11	Finding another way: The alternatives to armed conflict
12	Reflection and Conclusion

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Seminar Participation	5 %	1,2,3,4
Seminar Presentation	5 %	1,2,3,4
Research essay	20 %	1,2,3,4
Policy Recommendation	35 %	1,2,3,4
Final Exam	35 %	1,2,3,4

* 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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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 ANU Online 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

Description:

You are expected to participate to the seminar every week, drawing from the readings. Please note that it is your participation (not your attendance) that is assessed from Week 2 to 12, meaning that if you attend but do not participate, you will not receive any marks for that seminar. 

If you are unable to attend a seminar and have a valid reason (such as a medical certificate, see the following policy for a more comprehensive list: https://policies.anu.edu.au/ppl/document/ANUP_004604), you can make up for your missed participation mark by writing a 150 words overview of the strengths and weaknesses of one of the readings for that week. This overview, along with the supporting evidence, needs be submitted via email to Eglantine (eglantine.staunton@anu.edu.au) before the following seminar (unless alternative arrangements have been made with Eglantine).

Learning objectives: 

The aim is to help you develop your confidence and oratory skills, while gaining a deeper understanding of the course material. This will also ensure that the seminars are collaborative, lively and engaging. 

Assessment Task 2

Seminar Presentation

Description:

Each week, students will do a presentation on one of the required readings of the course. It should not be longer than 10 min. 

It should: 

1)    Provide a summary of the key themes and arguments of the reading, and 

2)    Briefly assess its strengths and weaknesses. 

You are strongly encouraged to use slides during your presentation. Additionally, you are welcome (but do not have to) create one meme in order to illustrate one of your points. 

Part of your mark will be for content, i.e. the substance of what you say and your visual materials; the other part will be for form, i.e. how you present the material (for instance, good time keeping, clarity, engagement).

You are expected to post a copy or summary of your presentation on the course forum called 'Analysis of the readings' (on Wattle – in the section called 'assessments'). This will provide a collective resource of commentaries on the core readings for the class as a whole (which will come very handy when studying for the exam), and give you an opportunity to discuss your interpretations of the course readings.

Learning objectives:

The objective of this exercise is to allow you to engage thoroughly and critically with the course material. It will assist you in developing your skills in analysing and synthesizing materials, while enhancing your capacity to communicate complex ideas concisely and clearly. 

Assessment Task 3

Research essay

Due date: Monday 18 March, by 11:55pm.

Length: 1,000 words

Weight: 20%

Submission: Via the turn-it-in link on Wattle (located in the section entitled ‘Assessments’).

Description:

You will write a 1,000 word essay on one of the following case studies:

Myanmar

Syria

Israel/Palestine

Ukraine.

Your essay should examine and explain:

The main causes of the conflict

The main challenges to a conflict resolution and what could be done to overcome them.

Please note:

You should not provide an overview of the conflict since this is not what the essay is about. 

You do not have to cover every single cause of this conflict but should instead focus on the most important factors. Your essay should explain why you believe they are the most important ones. 

Your essay should be analytical, not descriptive. 

You are welcome to use reports from relevant think tanks and NGOs or reputable news sources, but your essay should also engage extensively with the academic literature. 

Learning objectives:

The purpose of this essay is to help you develop your research and academic writing skills, while demonstrating comprehension of some of the key concepts and issues related to peace and conflict studies by applying them to a case study. 

Assessment Task 4

Policy Recommendation

Due date: Monday, 29 April

Length: 1,500 words

Weight: 35%

Submission: Via the turn-it-in link on Wattle (located in the section entitled ‘Assessments’). 

Overview of the assessment

You will be given the scenario of a hypothetical conflict (along with a map). For this assessment, you will get the opportunity to put yourself in the shoes of some of the actors we have discussed throughout the semester and write a policy recommendation. 

Learning objectives

This assessment will allow you to demonstrate your capacity to not only assimilate and evaluate the information and ideas presented in class and in the readings, but also to apply these to a particular situation. Additionally, it will deepen your understanding of the key themes, actors, tools and challenges related to peace and conflict studies. It will also develop your capacity to clearly and effectively communicate ideas to various audiences, while expanding your capacity to think creatively. 

Assessment Task 5

Final Exam

Date: Date to be advised, exam will be scheduled during the ANU examination period.

Description:

The 2h exam will cover all the seminars and readings and will take place during the examination period at the end of the semester. 

A full brief will be given during the last seminar. 

Learning objectives:

The aim is to verify that you have assimilated all the core material of the course and that you are capable of using it in an analytical way. This assessment will also give you an opportunity to reflect on your learning journey. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

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 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

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions 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 Diversity and inclusion 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 and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students