Peace and Conflict
HG 399
Fall Semester 2003
Instructor: Prof. Judy Hansen-Childers
Office: Room 209
Office Hours:
Mondays 1 PM to 4 PM
Wednesdays 1 PM to 3 PM
Friday 1 PM to 2 PM
You are
welcome to drop by at other times or make an appointment!
Office Phone: 859-1335
Home Phone: 582-7632
E-Mail: hansenj@thomas.edu
Snow Phone/Cancellation Line:
859-1140
Class Schedule: Tuesdays, Thursdays - From
Texts:
Terrorism and War by Howard Zinn (Seven Stories Press)
War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges (Anchor
Books)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Prerequisite: (Junior status AND one other history course OR PH 299 Terrorism: The
This course is designed to provide a general introduction to peace and
conflict studies as an area of inquiry and familiarize students with various
approaches to studying peace and violence. Students will examine contemporary
international relations with an emphasis on the search for effective means to
reduce and prevent armed conflict, enhance international cooperation, and
promote world peace.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. identify
the definitions of war;
2. identify
some of the complex causes of conflict and war;
3. identify
and evaluate the necessary preconditions and conditions for peace and apply
them to a given conflict;
4. identify
and assess the contributions and limitations of peace movements;
5. discuss
the role(s) played by the governments, the media, and NGOs (non-governmental
organizations) in contemporary conflicts;
6. analyze
contemporary situations of conflict and examine the impact of current solutions
for mediation and conflict resolution;
7. analyze
contemporary situations of conflict and propose solutions for conflict
resolution;
ASSESSMENT:
The students attainment of the learning outcomes will be assessed in the following ways:
1.
Thought papers. These are to be short essays (2-5 pages typed,
standard margins and fonts, check specific assignment for length) that deal
with issues raised in the reading, class sessions, media, etc. One of the goals
in this course is to have a conversation going among all of us. One way to do
this is through written responses to readings and other course materials.
2.
Journal. You are required
to keep a written, dated journal throughout the entire semester on the events that
occur in your assigned conflict area.
Your journal will be collected and graded periodically. You will also be asked during the course to
update the class on what is happening in your region. Sources must be cited and
dated in your journal. You should gather your information from a variety of
media.
3.
Class Participation. Class Participation is very
important. Class participation entails your attendance and contribution to class
discussion. It is expected that students attend all classes prepared and ready
to work. There is a considerable amount of reading for this course so be
prepared to spend several hours each week reading handouts, chapters, your
lecture notes, etc. There will be many questions that come up throughout the
lectures and readings, and everyone should feel free to contribute to the
discussions. Student participation is critical to successful learning and
performance in this class. The brightest students are the ones with the
questions, not the answers. I strongly encourage you to discuss outside
materials including current events and speakers if they are relevant to class
material. If you are a bit reluctant (as we all are at times) this is the time
to overcome your reluctance. This means speaking up when you have something to
say as well as not monopolizing the conversation. Also, participation includes
one on one discussion through e-mail or office hours.
4.
Final Essay.
There will be a final, take-home essay (10 pages for individuals20
pages for pairs) covering the topics and materials of the course, in an effort to
integrate them and to explore the student's relationship to them. It will not
require non-assigned reading but can include anything beyond the reading list
that students deem relevant. Details will be provided later.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Students will be expected to complete assigned readings and written
assignments by their due dates.
IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS UNDERSTANDING THE
GRADING SYSTEM
A (94 - 100) A- (90 - 93) B+ (87 - 89) B (83 - 86) B- (80 - 82)
C+ (77 - 79) C (73 - 76) C- (70 - 72) D+ (67 - 69) D (63 - 66)
D- (60 - 62) F (below 60)
GRADING:
Thought Papers............................................
....
25%
Journal........................................................................
.
.
25%
Class Participation..............................................................................
..
25%
Final Essay
25%
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend all class sessions and to be prepared to
discuss the assigned readings and written homework. If a student must miss a class session, it is the students
responsibility to arrange other ways of obtaining the information covered in
class. Please notify the instructor in advance if you have to miss a
class. Students with excessive absences may not receive a passing grade.
INTEGRITY OF SCHOLARSHIP:
Students who plagiarize
papers and projects or cheat on exams will receive zeros for the work in
question and may fail the course.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:
·
Changes in the syllabus and assignments may be
modified as deemed appropriate by the instructor. All changes will be announced in class.
·
Students with a disability who are requesting
academic accommodations should contact
Important Links
Crimes of War: What the
Public Should Know
SCHEDULE
|
DATE |
TOPICS |
|
|
|
9/2, 9/4 |
Introduction to Peace and Conflict
Studies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/9, 9/11 |
Defining War; Reasons for War |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/16, 9/18 |
Terrorism, Counterterrorism and War |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/23, 9/25 |
War and the Significance of Chemical,
Biological, and Nuclear Weapons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/30, 10/2 |
Peace Movements Past and Present |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/7, 10/9 |
Diplomacy, Negotiations, and Conflict Resolution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BREAK! |
Columbus Day
Weekend October 10 - 13 |
|
|
|
10/14, 10/16 |
Appeasement, Provocation, and Deterrence |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/21, 10/23 |
Disarmament and Arms Control |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10/28, 10/30 |
The Role of International Organizations |
|
|
|
EXAM |
10/30 Midterm Exam |
|
|
|
11/4, 11/6 |
International and World Government |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/11, 11/13 |
Building Positive Peace Human Rights, Ecological, and Economic
Well-Being |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/18, 11/20, 11/25 |
Nonviolence |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BREAK! |
Thanksgiving Break November 26 - 30 |
|
|
|
12/2, 12/4 |
The Future of Peace (Part 1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/9, 12/11 |
The Future of Peace (Part 2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXAM |
Final Exam Week of December 15th |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This syllabus may be
changed at the discretion of the instructor.
Last Revised: