Doctor of Philosophy: Conflict Transformation

Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy: Conflict Transformation is to produce scholars who can apply key principles and protocols of research in the field of Conflict Transformation. Completion of the qualification also strengthens the ability of a learner to supervise, assess and publish research papers in Journals.

It also seeks to do the following

• Prepare learners to be highly qualified scholars in academic institutions and research environments in South Africa and across Africa.
• Prepare learners who can make useful contributions as part of peace initiatives driven by a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from NGOs to national governments and international organisations.
• Build national and regional capacity in the peace field to address one of the most debilitating challenges facing the African continent.
• Prepare learners who can participate in high level policy and managerial positions in the growing world of non-governmental organisations and the private sector within the peace environment.

Rationale

Conflict is a universal phenomenon. In countries such as Darfur, Iraq and 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.

Qualified personnel in conflict transformation are needed on the African continent which is characterised by more conflicts than any other region. The South African government has identified Conflict Transformation as a priority area of capacity building. The African Union is expected to have a greater role in regional conflict resolution.

This qualification seeks to address the present and future potential shortfall of qualified experts in conflict transformation and peace building. It also aims to produce leaders capable of shaping a more just and equitable world by working in areas like conflict prevention, management and transformation. Learners graduating from this qualification could enter successful careers in government, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and the private sector.

Learners who register for this qualification must be able to communicate knowledge of the discipline coherently and logically.

Recognition of Prior Learning

In cases where relevant experience or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a learner may be admitted by permission of the Senate.

Access to Qualification

Access to the qualification is a Master's Degree or equivalent in

• Conflict Transformation.
• Peace Studies.
• Political Science.
• Law.
• Development Studies.
• Sociology or related areas as adjudged by the school of faculty.

Evidence of having successfully completed a module in research methodology at Master's Level.

Learners without a module in Conflict Transformation/Peace Studies or Political Sciences may be required to complete a relevant module before commencing on their thesis.

The qualification is made up of a compulsory and an elective component totalling 416 credits as follows

Compulsory Component

• The module: Research Design and Implementation, 16 Credits.
• Research culminating in a Doctoral Thesis, 384 Credits.

Elective Component

One of the following modules, each worth 16 credits, must be completed

• Theory and Practice of Non Violence.
• Restorative Justice.
• Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law.
• African Approaches to Conflict Transformation.
• Any Other Module in Conflict Transformation.

Total 416 Credits.

1. Demonstrate and apply the key principles and protocols of research in the field of study.
2. Demonstrate research leadership within a field conflict transformation and across disciplines.
3. Supervise and assess learners' work at Honour's and Master's degree Level.
4. Publish articles, present papers and/or contribute to conferences in the field of study and across disciplines and foster critical discussion both among and between academics and practitioners.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed by this qualification.

The following assessment criteria are applied in an integrated manner

• The dissertation/thesis meets the criteria of assessment for Doctoral Degrees set down by Senate and the faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences.
• Oral presentations on the research project and its findings and recommendations are presented to peers using appropriate technological aids, terminology and language.
• At least one research paper is published or accepted for publication in an accredited journal before the submission of thesis.
• Master's and Honours Degree research is supervised and positive advice and recommendations given to the relevant learners to enable them to complete their projects.

Integrated Assessment

Learners will be monitored and assessed to ensure that they are making due progress. The assessments will be linked to timelines as follows:

• Completion of proposal: 4 - 6 Months.
• Completion of Literature Review: 4 - 6 Months.
• Completion of Field Research: 6 - 12 Months.
• Completion of all Chapters: 6 - 12 Months.
• Publication of one research paper/receipt of acceptance letter from editor.
• Submission of Final Draft: Three years from commencement of programme.

The learners who require interventions will receive direct attention by mentors. All supervisors and mentors are required to write reports of progress for each learner.