Bachelor of Arts Honours in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to

• Provide learners with disciplinary specific knowledge, and advanced learning in the area of conflict transformation, human rights, and development, especially with a focus on the Africa.
• Reduce the dearth of skilled personnel in Peace Studies and conflict transformation in Africa generally and South Africa in particular.
• Allow learners to develop an understanding and apply key concepts of peace and conflict studies (such as peace, conflict, coercion, conflict resolution, ethics of war, nonviolent resistance).
• Evaluate and solve conflicts in the real world.
• Equip learners to analyse contemporary conflicts in a multidisciplinary (environmental, historical, political, socio-cultural, psychological, and economic) context.
• Ensure that the learners possess research skills necessary to conduct a research project using qualitative or quantitative evidence to evaluate and contribute to the resolution of a problem, issue, or controversy in the area of peace and conflict studies.
• Promote critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and communication skills necessary to conduct conflict resolution by peaceful means.
• Provides route of access to Postgraduate study and further research in the field of Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies.

Rationale

The qualification is intended for learners with undergraduate qualifications in Social Sciences who intend to gain high level of expertise and skills in conflict transformation at the learner's level for the purpose of working in international organisations and non-governmental organisations focusing on peace, human rights, conflict prevention and development or for using it as stepping stone to a career in research in the aforesaid areas. Learners from the conflict-ridden countries of Africa will find the module highly relevant to their life situation. Learners completing this qualification will become competent in specific methods of conflict transformation such as negotiation, mediation, facilitated problem-solving as well as learn the dynamics of post-conflict reconstruction as it is applicable in the African context.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The principles underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role are subscribed to. Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

A learner who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Social Science, Level 7.
• Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Development Studies, Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8,128 Credits

• Theory and Practice of Conflict Transformation, 16 Credits.
• Recovering from Conflict, 16 Credits.
• Research Methods in Conflict Transformation, 16 Credits.
• Selected Readings 1: Political Science, 16 Credits.
• Honours Research Project in Conflict Transformation, 32 Credits.
• Ethics of Conflict, Diplomacy, and Peace, 16 Credits.
• Issues and Themes in Peace Studies, 16 Credits.

1. Handle conflict at all levels, including interpersonal ones, with increased sensitivity and resourcefulness and take the opportunities these present for positive change.
2. Assess the impact of specific actions on conflict and the extent to which these actions are contributing to desired change.
3. Work strategically in order to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of initiatives.
4. Draw critically on aspects of existing knowledge and theory in the field of conflict transformation.
5. Share own knowledge and skills appropriately with colleagues, partners and with others interested in this field.
6. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences at different levels.
7. Generate and test creative hypotheses and theories for action relating to issues confronting work for peace and justice.
8. Contribute to the growth of the overall field.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Identify the threats to peace and human security in the contemporary world and the inter-connections 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

• Conceptualising, designing and carrying out an advanced research project in one of the major themes pertaining to peace studies.
• Carrying out the project and in the methods of empirical investigation and analysis of those investigations.
• Write up and present orally the said research project.
• Reviews of recent literature on relevant topics within the national and international context of policy and development studies.
• Develop a research proposal, identify, collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, implement different research styles, present data, and reference material correctly, communicate effectively in written presentation, undertake independent research projects.
• Access, outline, evaluate and synthesise the current state of critical/theoretical debate, demonstrating their personal engagement with the literature.
• Conceptualise a research problem and developing a cogent research proposal, design (and where applicable to the degree requirement conduct) applied quantitative or qualitative research, acquire basic skills to analyse, summarise, present and interpret qualitative and/ quantitative data.