This course is an in-depth study of the theory and practice of peace and conflict. The goal is to enhance students’ capacity to think critically about the basic forces that drive international conflicts and how to solve them. The first part of the course analyzes the causes of conflict (war, terrorism, ethnic cleansing). We explore the international organizations involved in conflicts, such as the UN and NATO, as well as examine the importance of NGOs and civil society movements. The second part of the course focuses more on the Spanish experience of fighting against terrorism (as in the case of ETA, the Basque separatist group). Finally, we also explore very different types of conflicts from the wishes of democratization in the Arab Spring cases or the fight for resources, to conflicts in the Balkans, Colombia, or the cruel situations of child soldiers and femicide. All this will allow students to understand and interpret future developments in international politics.
Department: Political Science
Location: Madrid
Semesters: Fall, Spring
Credits: 3