Program Overview

Module 1: Introduction to the Scientific Methodology of Peace Studies

• Central concepts, theories of conflict- and peace research
• History of conflict and peace studies
• Contributions of the social sciences to the understanding of the different forms of violence (military, economic, political and cultural)
• Formulation of study goals
  

• The students know the main concepts theories and research methods of conflict and peace studies.
• They are able to apply the methods of various social sciences (political science, economics, psychology, sociology, international law etc.) in order to investigate the causes of conflicts and possible approaches to solutions. On the basis of this knowledge they are able to recognize the various forms of violence
• The students are clear about the direction of their study program and the resources they need
  

Module 2: Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding

• Conflict transformation by peaceful means
• Crises prevention and conflict deescalation
• Introduction to various forms of dealing with conflict: negotiation, mediation and arbitration
• Peacebuilding from the local to the global level
• Strategies to maintain peace
• Conciliation and reconstruction after war
  

• The students know the basic principles of peaceful conflict transformation and possess first experiences as mediators by means of case studies
• They are able to analyze conflicts in terms of diagnosis, prognosis and therapy
• They know early warning systems that make it possible to diffuse conflicts before they erupt in violence
• They can recognize common interests of the conflict parties, which facilitate the resolution of conflicts, and develop creative new possibilities to bridge seemingly incompatible goals
• They have practical experience of various ways in which third parties can contribute to the peaceful transformation of conflicts
• They know strategies to bring about peace and methods of conciliation and reconstruction after war
  

Module 3: Regional Conflict and Peace Initiatives

• Design, implementation and evaluation of peace projects
• Introduction to current conflicts (Middle East, Sri Lanka, Congo, Colombia etc.)
• Traditional approaches to conflict resolution in various cultures
• Constructive transitions from war to peace
• Working for peace in conflict zones
  

• The students are sensitive to the challenges of development projects with regard to impartiality between the conflict parties, equal treatment of genders, and respect for local cultures
• They understand the historic context and the underlying reasons of conflicts
• They know a variety of methods of conflict resolution from various world regions
• They have learned to design, implement and evaluate peace projects
• They are aware of precautions necessary when working in war and post-war zones
  

Module 4: International Relations and International Law

• The relation between nations, states, civil society and the international system
• Introduction to international law
• The system of the United Nations, its contributions to peace and its limitations 
• Terrorism and state terrorism: causes and prevention
  

• The students are able to evaluate various form of international relations concerning their contribution to peace
• They know the main principles of international law
• They have an overview over the United Nations system and have explored possibilities for its further development
• They are aware that an effective prevention of terrorism also requires an investigation of its causes

ECTS: 5

Module 5: From National to Human Security

• Nonviolence: philosophical foundations and practical applications
• Arms control, disarmament, defensive defense and the Swiss concept of general defense
• Human security and problems of poverty, pollution and lack of medical care
  

• The students know the advantages and limitations of nonviolent methods, as well as historical examples where they have brought desirable social changes and where they have failed
• They understand that an effective security policy cannot be limited to military means and that defense strategies must not pose a threat to other countries, because that would lead to an escalating spiral of mutual threats
• They know the requirements for comprehensive security
  

Module 6: Peace Education and Ethics

• Introduction to the concepts of peace education and their main founders
• Peace psychology
• Nonviolent communication 
• Ethics, religions and peace
  

• The students are familiar with the main aspects of peace education from early childhood to adulthood
• They know concrete tools to teach conflict transformation and peace culture to various age groups
• They have insight into the psychological dynamics that leads to violence or peacefulness
• They understand the significance of verbal expression as instrument to contribute to peace, and have been trained in constructive communication 
• They have learned to appreciate the variety of world religions and distinguish aspects that promote war or peace

Module 7: Human Rights, Gender and Democratization

• Introduction to human rights
• Peace and gender
• Democratization
• Federalism as a model of conflict resolution
• Rights and duties of governments and citizens
  

• The students have an overview over the main instruments for the protection of human rights under international law
• They are familiar with the interdependence between gender and power, and the attribution of gender roles in various cultures
• They know the principles of democracy and the requirements for the democratic functioning of a state
• They have an overview over various models of constitutions, their advantages and disadvantages, and their underlying principles such as freedom, equality, justice, self-determination and solidarity
  

Module 8: Sustainable Development and Its Contribution to Peace

• The role of various economic systems in satisfying basic human needs
• Structural violence and structural peace
• Ecology and sustainable use of natural resources
• Renewable energy and mitigation of climate change
• Introduction to theories of development
  

• Students understand the role of various economic systems in promoting human well-being
• They know methods to protect the environment
• They are familiar with the main theories of development
  

Module 9: Peace Culture and the Media

• Deep culture and conflict culture
• Peace journalism and the role of the media
• Professionalism in peace work
  

• The students understand how deep-rooted thinking patterns (e.g. prejudices) can be causes of war and violence, and how we can help conflict parties to transform their deep culture so as to overcome violent tendencies
• They recognize how the media shape culture and often contribute to escalation of conflict and to increased violence
• They also understand how the media can play a meaningful role in the peaceful transformation of conflicts
• They process what they have learned on the basis of their professional experience and adapt it to their professional goals
  

Module 10: Development of Key Competencies for Peaceworkers