Bachelor of Arts Honours: Conflict Transformation

Purpose

The qualification is intended for learners with undergraduate degrees in the social sciences who intend to gain a higher level of expertise and skills in conflict transformation at the Postgraduate level, either for the purpose of working in international organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) focusing on peace, human rights, conflict prevention and development or for using as a stepping stone into a career in research in the aforesaid areas. Learners from the conflict-ridden countries of Africa will find the qualification highly relevant to their life situations.

With this broad end in view, the qualification

• Provides discipline-specific knowledge and advanced learning in the area of conflict transformation, human rights, and development, with a focus on the African situation.
• Seeks to reduce the dearth of skilled personnel in Peace Studies and conflict transformation in Africa generally and South Africa in particular.
• Seeks to understand and apply key concepts of peace and conflict studies (such as peace, conflict, coercion, conflict resolution, ethics of war and non-violent resistance), to evaluate and solve conflicts in the real world.
• Equips learners to analyse contemporary conflicts in a multi-disciplinary (environmental, historical, political, socio-cultural, psychological, and economic) context.
• Provides the learners with the research skills necessary to conduct a research project using qualitative and/or quantitative evidence to evaluate, and contribute to the resolution of a problem, issue, or controversy in the area of peace and conflict studies.
• Promotes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and communication skills necessary to conduct conflict resolution by peaceful means.
• Provides access to Postgraduate study and further research in the field of Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies.

Rationale

The Conflict Transformation Qualification at University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has been designed with the idea that conflict is fundamentally a universal phenomenon. From Darfur to Iraq to Sri Lanka disputes over identity, politics, resources, and religion have given rise to the need for new and creative approaches to transforming conflict and re-establishing social connections. While protracted conflicts take time to resolve, they may be transformed from violent disputes into more manageable, peaceful forms.

The qualification intends to provide learners with the intellectual competence necessary for understanding and analysing conflicts. This is a prelude to acquiring skills in conflict transformation and peace-building. Trained personnel in conflict transformation are highly needed on the African continent, which remains characterised by more conflicts than any other region. The transformation of regional conflicts is a priority area for capacity building both in South Africa and in other parts of the continent. This is especially so as the African Union is expected to play a greater role than the United Nations (UN) in regional conflict resolution in the years to come. The qualification seeks to address the present and future potential shortfall in Conflict Transformation professionals at various levels and aims to produce persons capable of shaping a more just and equitable world by working in areas such as conflict prevention, conflict management, and conflict transformation.

Learners graduating from the qualification will be well-placed for entry-level positions and careers in government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and the private sector. The qualification enjoys contributions from other departments of the University such as Psychology, Community Development, Criminology, Development Studies, Theology, Religion, Social Work, Sociology, Education, and Law.

The qualification is thus able to

• Prepare graduates who can slot into positions working on peace initiatives in various state and non-state organisations.
• Prepare graduates for life as scholars-in-training in academic institutions and research environments in South Africa and across the rest of Africa.
• Build national and regional capacity in the peace field to address one of the most debilitating challenges facing the African continent.
• Prepare graduates for entry into the growing world of non-governmental organisations.

The Bachelor of Arts Honours: Conflict Transformation provides an important initial base of professional development in the field. Graduates will be able to enter professional work at different levels of Government, Non Government Organisations, or the private sector.

Individuals registering for this qualification are expected to be competent in critical reading and writing.

Recognition of Prior Learning

In cases where an equivalent qualification or experience (such as Government service or field experience as a peace worker) is to be recognised as prior learning, candidates that wish to be considered for the qualification will be asked to provide pertinent supporting evidence (portfolio) for verification and evaluation by a panel of experts from the faculty, chaired by either the Head of School or a person designated by him/her. Their formal report, which will be in line with the stipulation of the UKZN Jacobs Process on the Recognition of Prior Learning, will help to inform the decision to admit or reject the candidate.

Access to the Qualification

Access to this qualification is open to learners in possession of a Bachelor of Arts or equivalent qualification in Political Science, International Studies, Peace Studies, International Relations, Law, History, Development Studies, Sociology or related areas.

The learner is required to complete all the compulsory modules and choose a minimum of 32 credits from the elective modules in order to be awarded the qualification.

Compulsory modules (Core)

• Issues and Themes in Peace Studies, 16 Credits.
• Theory and Practice of Conflict Resolution, 16 Credits.
• Recovering From Conflict, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology in Peace and Conflict Studies, 16 Credits.
• Research project in Peace and Conflict Studies, 32 Credits.

Total Credits: 96

Elective modules

Choose modules to the value of 32 Credits

• Advanced Studies in International Relations, 16 Credits.
• Ethics of Conflict, Diplomacy and Peace, 16 Credits.
• Political Change in Africa, 16 Credits.
• International Relations and Global Politics, 32 Credits.
• Corruption, Sleaze and Politics, 16 Credits.

1. Reflect critically on the world and the nature and patterns of its problems and influences, and how these can affect issues of conflict and peace.
2. Apply theory to practice and chart the interactive (or reflexive) relationship between theory and practice.
3. Collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information critically.
4. Identify and solve problems from a critical and creative perspective.
5. Communicate effectively using a range of skills and modes of argumentation.
6. Carry out a research project and report on findings according to Honours Degree requirements.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in the qualification.

The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to assess the Exit Level Outcomes

• Identify the threats to peace and human security in the contemporary world and the interconnections among them.
• Show an enhanced understanding of the causal factors that affect conflict and shape the course to war.
• Show an enhanced understanding of difficulties of ending conflict after the first casualties are registered.
• Identify and locate some of the issues of peace and security that hold special significance for Africa.
• Identify relevant theoretical frameworks that can be used to make meaningful assessments of issues of conflict and peace.
• Contextualise competing ideas or perspectives that seek to explain critical problems of peace studies, conflict prevention, transformation and sustainable peace.
• Engage issues of conflict and peace through research work and related activities.
• Apply research skills to an advanced understanding of conflict analysis, prevention, transformation and sustainable peace.
• Develop appropriate empirical investigations to gather new information.
• Communicate research findings in standard academic format and settings.

Integrated Assessment

Learners will be assessed through a combination of the following

• Essays to assess the ability of the learner to identify, synthesise, and analyse information and present arguments in a logical and effective manner.
• Examinations to assess the overall grasp of the subject matter and analytical depth.
• Seminar presentations to assess learner ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively and defend them publicly.
• Class room participation to assess the extent of contribution that the learner makes to enhance the overall performance of the class.
• Participation in role plays to assess the conflict resolution skills of the learner.
• Report on (intra-modular) structured internship in a relevant organisation to evaluate the contribution of the learner to the organisation's conflict resolution activities.
• Assessment of research findings report and presentation.