Master of Arts: Conflict Transformation

Purpose

The qualification intends to provide learners with the intellectual competence to analyse conflicts and acquire skills in conflict transformation and peace building.

With this in mind, the programme seeks to do the following

• Prepare graduates who can make useful contributions as part of peace initiatives driven by a wide variety of stakeholders, ranging from Non-Government Organisations to national governments and international organisations.
• Prepare graduates as life-long scholars in academic institutions and research environments in South Africa and across Africa.
• Build national and regional capacity in the peace field to address one of the most debilitating challenges facing our continent.
• Prepare graduates that can slot into the evolving and growing world of nongovernmental organisations.

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 for capacity building. The African Union is expected to have a greater role in regional conflict resolution.

The 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 such as conflict prevention, management and transformation. Learners graduating from this qualification are likely to have 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 case where an equivalent qualification is to be recognised as prior learning, learners to be considered for the qualification will be:

• Interviewed by the academic co-ordinator.
• Required to submit evidence of work experience.
• Required to submit evidence of the courses acquired in formal, informal or non formal environment.

Access to the Qualification

Access to the Qualification is a Bachelor Honours Degree or equivalent in any related discipline. These include Politics, Law, Development Studies and Sociology. Learner admission is subject to agreement from the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Studies.

The qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules.

Compulsory Component

- The following three modules at NQF Level 9

> Research Design and Implementation, 32 Credits.

> Advanced Themes in Conflict Transformation, 16 Credits.

> Theory and Practice of Non Violence, 16 Credits.

• Dissertation, 96 Credits.

Optional Component

All seven optional modules are at NQF Level 9, and worth 16 Credits each.

Learners are to complete any two of the following

• Restorative Justice.
• Human Rights and International Humanitarian.
• African Approaches to Conflict Transformation.
• International Relations and Global Politics.
• Advance Studies in International Relations.
• Selected Readings in Political Science (2).
• Other Modules with approval.

1. Identify and reflect on the critical problems that influence and affect conflict and peace in the world.
2. Develop and 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.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify critical problems and issues of the day to show familiarity with causal claims.
• Show an understanding of the causal factors that affect conflict and shape the recourse to war and the difficulties of ending conflict.
• Identify challenges and prospects for engendering sustainable peace in a post-conflict environment through conflict transformation and peace building efforts.
• Identify and locate some of the issues of peace and security that hold special significance for Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify relevant theoretical frameworks that can be used to make meaningful assessments of conflict and peace.
• Develop an appreciation for theory and its limits in practice.
• Contextualise and develop an awareness of competing ideas or perspectives that seek to explain critical problems of conflict prevention, transformation and sustainable peace.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Facilitate and evaluate issues of conflict and peace through skilful research work.
• Conduct research to promote communication and critical thinking.
• Develop strategies for gathering and assessing relevant information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply research skills to advance understanding of conflict prevention, transformation or resolution and sustainable peace.
• Develop an empirical investigation to gather new information in conflict transformation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Communicate effectively through written and oral presentations.
• Communicate research findings in standard academic settings to peers.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment is designed to assess a learner's progress at certain exit points. Assessment methods include

• Performance in seminars and classroom discussion requiring the learner to reflect on readings and communicate effectively on ideas emerging from reflection.
• Long essay of 500 words.
• Examination at the end of semester for all modules.
• A research proposal.
• A dissertation to demonstrate the research and analytical skills of the learner.