Theoretical Constructions of Peace

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of techniques and styles of academic writing.

Teaching Methods

Seminars are thus organized: each topic is presented and contextualised, and then followed by the analysis and debate of the relevant scientific texts previously selected. This format encourages students’ active involvement in learning, fostering student-student and student-teacher interaction. Students also learn to research, write and present particular topics related to the issues debated in class in various formats: essay, book review, class presentation.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit aims to provide knowledge on the different theoretical frameworks that inspire discourses and social practices concerning peace. The acknowledgement of the diversity of theoretical agendas on peace – and their respective methodological as well as epistemological assumptions – is essential to enable students to make a rigorous and critical reading of concrete policies and initiatives aimed at (re)building peace. Within this in mind, this curricular unit aims to form competences of recognition and critical analysis of the discourses on peace emphasized by the different International Relations theories, thus allowing students to easily identify, in a theoretical or operational debate on peace policies, the respective theoretical affiliations, as well as their inherent strengths and weaknesses.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Peace and realism

2. Peace and liberalism

3. Peace, constructivism and English School

4. Peace and marxism

5. Peace studies

6. Peace and critical theory

7. Peace and post-structuralism

8. Peace and feminism

9. Peace and post-colonialism

10. Post-liberal peace and hybrid peace.

Head Lecturer(s)

Teresa Paula Almeida Cravo

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Continuous assessment: combination of written work, in-class participation and oral presentations : 100.0%

Bibliography

Barash, David (ed.) (2000), Approaches to Peace: A Reader in Peace Studies, Oxford: OUP [327 APP]

Galtung, Johan (1996), Peace by Peaceful Means: Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization. Oslo: PRIO [327 GAL]

Hoglund, Kristine; Oberg, Magnus (eds.) (2011), Understanding Peace Research: Methods and Challenges. London: Routledge [327 UND]

Jeong, Ho-Won (2007), Peace and Conflict Studies: An Introduction. Aldershot: Ashgate [327 JEO]

Richmond, Oliver (2008), Peace in International Relations. London: Routledge [327 RIC]

Tickner, J. Ann (2000), Gendering World Politics: Issues and Approaches in the post-Cold War Era. New York: Columbia UP [327 TIC]

Wallensteen, Peter (2011), Peace Research: Theory and Practice. London: Routledge [327 WAL]

Webel, Charles; Galtung, Johan (eds.) (2007), Handbook of Peace and conflict studies. London: Routledge [327 HAN]

Wyn Jones, Richard (ed.) (2001), Critical Theory and World Politics. Boulder: Lynne Rienner [327 CRI].