Peace and Conflict
HG 399
Fall Semester 2004
Instructor: Prof. Judy Hansen-Childers
Office: Room 209
Office Hours:
Monday 2:00 PM 5:00 PM
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:50
AM 11:50 PM
Friday 2 PM 3:00 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: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00
AM to 9:50 AM in the Stickney Room.
Text: World on Fire by Amy Chua (Anchor Books)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Prerequisite: (Junior status AND one other history course OR PS 229 Terrorism: A
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.
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............................................
....
35%
Journal........................................................................
.
.
30%
Class
Participation..............................................................................
..
35%
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
Alternative
Information Center
Al Jazeera
(English)
Palestinian
National Authority
Crimes of War: What the
Public Should Know
SCHEDULE
|
DATE |
TOPICS |
|
|
|
8/30,
9/1, 9/3 |
Introduction to the course Defining Conflict Causes of Conflict Conflicts of the 21st
Century |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/8,
9/10 |
Violence, Culture, and Human
Nature |
|
|
|
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|
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|
9/13,
9/15, 9/17 |
The Impact of Structural
Violence |
|
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9/20,
9/22, 9/24 |
Why we wage war Is there such a thing as a
Just War? The Impact of War |
|
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|
9/27,
9/28, 10/1 |
The Threat of Annhilation |
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10/4,
10/6 |
Dealing
with the Effects of War Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) |
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|
BREAK! |
Columbus Day
Weekend October 9-12 |
|
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10/13,10/15 |
The
United Nations |
|
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10/18,
10/20, 10/22 |
Conflict Case Study 1: The
Israeli-American/Palestinian Conflict |
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10/25,
10/27, 10/29 |
Peace Movements Past and
Present |
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11/1,
11/3, 11/5 |
Non-Violence |
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11/10,
11/12 |
Role and Impact of the Media |
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11/15,
11/17, 11/19 |
Conflict
Case Study 2: Northern Ireland |
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BREAK! |
Thanksgiving Break November 23-28 |
|
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11/29,
12/1, 12/3 |
Conflict Case Study 3: Russian / Chechnyan Conflict |
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12/6,
12/8, 12/10 |
Conflict Case Study 4: TBA
(An African Nation) |
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This syllabus may be
changed at the discretion of the instructor.
Last Revised: August
27, 2004