Theoretical Constructions of Peace

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of techniques and styles of academic writing.

Teaching Methods

Seminars are organized to encourage students’ active involvement in learning, fostering student teacher interaction. Each topic is contextualised and followed by the analysis and debate of the relevant scientific texts previously selected. It is expected that, through research, elaboration and presentation of individual papers and their discussion in class, students will be able to reinforce their competences of knowledge of IR theories and their perspectives on peace.

Learning Outcomes

This curricular unit provides 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 of utmost importance to enable students with the ability to make a rigorous and critical reading of concrete policies and initiatives aimed at (re)building peace. Within this context, this curricular unit assumes the objective of forming competences of recognition of the languages and topics about peace emphasized by the different theories of IR, in such a way that allows the student to easily identify, in a theoretical or operational debate on peace policies, to what school of thought are the different positions affiliated, as well as their inherent strengths and fragilities.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The modern orthodoxy of peace

a) The modern legacy and the international

b) Peace and realism: peace through victory

c) Peace and liberalism: peace through cooperation

2. Critiques of the orthodoxy

a) Structuralism

c) Peace and constructivism

d) Peace and critical theory: peace as emancipation

e) Peace and post-structuralism: the multiple peaces.

Head Lecturer(s)

Teresa Paula Almeida Cravo

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 30.0%
Research work: 70.0%

Bibliography

GALTUNG, Johan - Violence, peace and peace research. In Journal of Peace Research [Em linha]. Vol. 6, nº 3 (Set. 1969), p. 167-191. [acesso via b-on]
POLACHEK, Solomon William - Conflict and trade. In Journal of Conflict Resolution. [Em linha]. Vol. 24, nº 1 (Mar. 1980), p. 55-78. [acesso via b-on]
PUGH, Michael - Peacekeeping and critical theory. In International Peacekeeping [Em linha]. Vol. 11, nº 1 (2004), p. 39-58. [acesso via b-on]
RICHMOND, Oliver P. - A post-liberal peace : Eirenism and the everyday. In Review of International Studies. Vol. 35, nº 3 (Jul. 2009), p. 557-580.
RISSE-KAPPEN, Thomas - Democratic peace - warlike democracies? : a social constructivist interpretation of the liberal argument. In European Journal of International Relations [Em linha]. Vol. 1, nº 4 (Dez. 1995), p. 491-517. [acesso via b-on]
WALTZ, Kenneth – The politics of peace. In International Studies Quarterly. Vol. 11, nº 3 (Set. 1967), p. 199-211.