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Department of International Relations · ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
In the 21st century the need for effective peacebuilding and conflict resolution is as great as ever. Many long-running conflicts remain unresolved. Pessimists see the menacing potential for new wars looming just over the horizon. What are the conditions for sustainable peace? This course begins by examining the mechanisms available for bringing about peaceful resolutions to conflict and war. We seek to analyse the prospects for peace in the 21st century through a close engagement with concepts and examples of conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. These case studies illustrate different challenges and approaches to conflict resolution and peace building. Students will be encouraged to consider the communication strategies, attitudes towards justice, political instincts and other practical attributes that are relevant to resolving conflict and building peace in such contexts. To facilitate a hands-on appreciation of those attributes, the course includes a hypothetical exercise designed to challenge us to understand and negotiate peace from a variety of real-world perspectives.
Tutorial Participation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Expert Panel Presentation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Mid-term quiz
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4
Peace negotiation simulation
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5
Reflective research essay (2000 words)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. The course comprises a maximum of 6,000 words of assessment or the equivalent. Please note this is a general guide, averaged over the semester and the final hours ultimately depend on the individual's ability in reading and writing.
Mimmi Söderberg Kovacs and Isak Svensson (2025). “Triangulating Peace: How Adversaries Build Sustainable Peace Through Negotiated Settlements,” Negotiation Journal, 41: 99–127 Peter Wallensteen (2023). Understanding Conflict Resolution (London: Sage Publications, 6th edn.) Oliver P. Richmond and Gëzim Visoka (eds.) (2021). The Oxford Handbook of Peacebuilding, Statebuilding, and Peace Formation (Oxford: Oxford University Press) and others to be provided.