This course seeks to understand peace and conflict by asking big questions about violence and confrontation in human societies. Students are introduced to the global wars which shape history on grand scales and to the local conflicts that persist in the background. We want to know: Why do we fight? What is conflict? Is conflict sometimes good? Who are insurgents? What is terrorism? How do we maintain memories of conflict? How can peace be established and maintained? We explore big questions through political science, strategic studies, international relations, anthropology, history, law, gender studies and psychology lenses. These specific disciplinary orientations, infused by insights from Asian and European traditions of thought, offer their own answers in the study of peace and conflict. Our approach in this course is integrative, interrogative and critical. We analyse the causes of war and conflict; the nature of security and strategic decision-making; the political drivers of international and sub-national conflicts; and approaches to conflict resolution and peace-building. The regional orientation of this course—reflecting the Australian National University's strengths—is the Asia-Pacific region. The questions that we examine find some of their answers in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. To provide students with a robust foundation for further study, this course draws on the range of expertise that makes ANU the hub for the critical analysis of the big questions concerning peace and conflict. It is appropriate for those who wish to develop knowledge of specific situations of peace and conflict, as well as for students who hope for a broad overview of the topic.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the sub-field of peace and conflict studies, and its relation to international relations, history and political science.
   

2. Demonstrate broad knowledge of conflict and war, and the conceptual foundations for understanding the mechanisms that drive these components of human societies, with particular reference to the Asia-Pacific region.
3. Critically reflect on the general character of peace and conflict at particular times and places, and the specific political, cultural, legal and historical mechanisms relevant to those situations.
4. Refine their personal interests and expertise in the field of peace and conflict studies, and be able to clearly and persuasively showcase their knowledge through written assessments. In order to do so, demonstrate a critical and reflective understanding, including about how one's positionality shapes understanding of the diversity of perspectives in peace and conflict studies.
5. Develop their ability to effectively communicate ideas about peace and conflict at both global and local scales, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1: Introduction
2	Week 2: Causes of war
3	Week 3: Consequences of armed conflict
4	Week 4: Humanitarian intervention during armed conflict
5	Week 5: Media, war and peace
6	Week 6: Conflict analysis	Research Essay (45%)
7	Week 7: Resolving conflict through mediation
8	Week 8: Peacekeeping during armed conflict
9	Week 9: Building peace after war
10	Week 10: Transitional justice after war
11	Week 11: Nonviolence and pacifism
12	Week 12: Conclusion	Take-home Exam (35%)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Participation	5 %	*	*	1, 5
Weekly Reflection Piece	5 %	*	*	3, 4, 5
Presentation of a Reading	10 %	*	*	5
Research Essay	45 %	26/03/2024	09/04/2024	2, 4
Take-home Exam	35 %	04/06/2024	29/06/2024	1, 2, 3, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial Participation

Students are expected to actively participate in the tutorial every week. For further information, see Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Weekly Reflection Piece

Students are required to post a 100-word reflection piece each week. For further information, see Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Presentation of a Reading

Students (in groups of 2) will do a presentation of one of the mandatory readings of the course. For further information, see Wattle.

Assessment Task 4

Research Essay

This is a research essay of 2,500 words in length (+/- 10%), exclusive of the bibliography and footnotes. For further information, see Wattle.

Assessment Task 5

Take-home Exam

This is a day take-home exam. It requires students to demonstrate in written form their overall understanding of and engagement with the key concepts, issues and themes covered in this course. For further information, see Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students