United Nations-University for Peace

Université pour la Paix

(UPEACE)

Programme: All UPEACE MA Programmes

Course Title: UPEACE FOUNDATION COURSE/Introduction to Peace and Conflict
Studies/UPEACE FOUNDATION COURSE
Course Code: PGD 100/UPM 6001
Course Facilitator: James Zotto, Jr. (zottojames@gmail.com +255743861110)
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1. Course Description
The UPEACE Foundation Course provides a critical and concise introduction to the broad field of
“Peace, Governance and Security Studies” for students in all UPEACE programs. It initially
addresses key conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of the origins and development of peace
studies as an interdisciplinary area within the fields of international relations and political economy,
as well as a basic understanding of conflict analysis. Based on a critical analysis of policies,
strategies, policies, institutions, organizations and movements, the course then examines a range of
core issues, dimensions, perspectives and paradigms for understanding the root causes of conflicts
and violence and constructive strategies to address them and build peace in contemporary global,
international, regional, national and local contexts, including: conflict management, conflict
resolution and conflict transformation; alternative discourse analysis; militarization and
disarmament; human rights violations and promotion; gender inequalities, gender-based violence
and gender mainstreaming; structural violence, human security, development and globalization;
environmental sustainability; corporate social responsibility; cultural and religious identities;
media’s role in conflict and peacebuilding; strategies of nonviolence; and peace education. This
Foundations course will be essential in catalyzing the awareness, understanding and motivation of
UPEACE students from diverse academic programmes to relate, ground or intersect their specific
areas of academic and practitioner interest with core theoretical, conceptual and analytical ideas in
peace studies
2.Course Objectives
By the end of the course, it is hoped that students will have a firm grasp of –
in terms of substantive knowledge
• Understand the history and philosophical debates in peace, conflict, governance and
security studies

UPEACE Africa Programme Main Campus & Headquarters

P.O.Box 2794 Code 1250 P.O. Box 138-6100,
Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia San José, Costa Rica
Tel: (251) 11 667 0547 Tel: (506) 205-9000
Fax: (251) 11 6180993 Fax:(506)249-1929
Cell: (251)929287615 (Office) E-mail: info@upeace.org
africaprogramme@upeace.org Web: http://www.upeace.org
Web: http://www.africa.upeace.org
 • Explain peace and security theories within the context of International Studies
• Explain the challenges of Peace governance and security inAfrica
• Understand methodological challenges in the study of peace governance and security.
-and in terms of skills
• How to examine, understand, synthesize and apply core theories of peace, governance and
security studies in the analysis of challenges
• Write policy papers on peace, governance and security
• Identify challenges and design solutions to issues of peace, governance and security

3. Course requirements and Evaluation

3.1 Course requirements

• Students will be provided readings/ videos/ and required to write reflection papers

• It is obligatory to read the required reading and provide summaries and students are

encouraged to read the recommended reading.

• Students may be invited to lead Class/Group discussions. Each student is expected to do

this at least ones in every module before the end of the course.

3.2 Evaluation

• Articles Review (20%) – Reading and summarizing of two articles

• Long essay on selected theme/topic (20%)

• Class attendance and participation (10%)

• Final Examination (50%)

4. Main Texts

• Peace, Conflict and Development: A Reader: UPEACE Africa Programme

• David Francis (2008) Peace and Conflict in Africa. Zed Books, London

5. Course Schedule

1) Topic One: Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies

Required Reading: non

  Arema Johnson: Causes of African Conflicts

 PauL Zeleza: Nature and Costs of war

➢ Topic two: Topic: Theoretical Debates on Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa

Required Readings

• John Agbonifo “Beyond Greed and Grievance: Negotiating Political Settlement and

Peace in Africa”University of Bradford, UK

• Marie Doucey “Understanding the Root Causes of Conflict: Why it matters for

International Crisis Management” International Affairs Review Vol XX, No 2 2001

Topic four: Philosophical and Sociological Contexts of Key Security Theories in

International Peace Studies

Required Reading

• Walt, Stephen M. (1991) ‘The Renaissance of Security Studies’. International Studies,

Quarterly. 35/2. June. 211-239.

• Waltz, Kenneth N. (1979) Theory of International Politics. Reading, Mass.: Addison-

Wesley

Topic five: Contending Approaches to Security in Post-Cold War World

Required Reading

• Waever Ole (1995) ‘Securitization and Desecuritization’. R. D. Lipschutz (ed.) On

Security. New York: Colombia University Press, pp. 46-86.

Topic Six: Governance and State Failure in Africa: Theoretical Debate

Required Reading

3
 • Mark Bevir (2010) “Governance as Theory, Practice and Dilemmas,”

http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/36847_Bevir_Chap_01.pdf

• Mark Bevir (2010) “Governance as Theory, Practice and Dilemmas,”

http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/36847_Bevir_Chap_01.pd

Topic Seven: Issues in Peace conflict and Security in Africa

Required Reading

• Tim Murithi “African Indigenous and Endogenous Approaches to Peace and Conflict

Resolution” in David Framcis (ed) Peace and Conflict in Africa, Zed Books

• Mohammed Salih “Poverty and Human Security in Africa: The Liberal peace debate” in

David Framcis (ed) Peace and Conflict in Africa, Zed Books