In the 21st century the need for effective peacebuilding and conflict resolution is as great as ever. Many long-running conflicts remain unresolved. Pessimists even see the menacing potential for new wars looming just over the horizon. What are the conditions for sustainable peace? This course begins by examining the mechanisms available for bringing about peaceful resolutions to conflict and war. We seek to analyse the prospects for peace in the 21st century through a close engagement with examples of conflict resolution and peacebuilding from across the Asia-Pacific region. These case-studies each illustrate different challenges and approaches to conflict resolution and peace building. Students will be encouraged to consider the communication strategies, attitudes towards justice, political instincts and other practical attributes that are relevant to resolving conflict and building peace in such contexts. To facilitate a hands-on appreciation of those attributes, the course includes a hypothetical exercise designed to challenge us to look at peace efforts from a variety of real-world perspectives.

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.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Gained a practical perspective on peacebulding and conflict resolution in the 21st century, and developed the conceptual apparatus for understanding contemporary peacebuilding efforts, especially in the Asia-Pacific region
2. Understood concepts that are considered in detail including violence, truce, justice, trauma, peacekeeping, reconciliation, anomie, truth, healing and resolution, with special attention to those situations where peace processes have consistently failed to achieve their goals.
3. Clarified their knowledge of these concepts with respect to a case-study of their choice.
4. Analysed different patterns of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and the specific places and times in which they are relevant, in the context of developing a fuller appreciation of the practical challenges involved in efforts for peace.

5. Demonstrated skills in applying conflict analysis tools for understanding and resolving conflict.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction: Understanding Peace
2	Conflict Resolution Models and Mechanisms
3	Resolving Conflict through Mediation
4	Peacekeeping and Stabilisation
5	Peacebuilding
6	Statebuilding and Socio-Economic Recovery
7	Planning Peace Negotiations
8	Non-Western Agency in Peacebuilding
9	Transitional Justice and Reconciliation
10	Environmental Peacebuilding
11	Peace Negotiations, Part I
12	Peace Negotiations, Part II

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Presentation of a reading	20 %	*	1, 2, 3, 4
Mid-term quiz	20 %	23/08/2024	1, 2, 4
Conflict resolution hypothetical	20 %	21/10/2024	1, 2, 4, 5
Conflict resolution research essay	40 %	01/11/2024	1, 2, 3, 4, 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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

Presentation of a reading

You will do a presentation on one of the mandatory readings of the course, which will account for 20% of your grade. It should: 1) summarise the key concepts and/or arguments of the reading; 2) outline the real-world application of one of the concepts or arguments in a conflict or post-conflict situation; and 3) briefly assess the strengths and weaknesses of the reading.

It should not be longer than 8 min. As part of your presentation, you are encouraged to use slides (but do not have to).

Part of your mark will be for content, i.e. the substance of what you say and your visual materials (if used); part will be for form, i.e. how you present the material (for instance, good time keeping, clarity, engagement).

You need to post a summary of your presentation on the Wattle page of your tutorial. This will be a helpful collective resource when it comes to preparing for the mid-term quiz and/or peace negotiations. The objective of this presentation is to develop your skills in analysing and synthesising readings, communicating complex ideas concisely and clearly, and clarifying your knowledge with respect to a case study of your choice.

Due date: You will be able to sign up for a presentation during your first tutorial in Week 2.

Assessment Task 2

Mid-term quiz

The mid-term quiz will be administered in week 5. It will test your knowledge of the lectures and readings in the first five weeks of the course. Further detail will be provided on Wattle.

The aim is to verify how you are able to utilise and express in an analytical way the material that you have absorbed in the first part of the semester, and to help you reflect on your learning journey. 

Due date: Week 5.

Assessment Task 3

Conflict resolution hypothetical

You will be presented with the scenario of a hypothetical conflict taking place in the Asia-Pacific. Over two rounds of peace talks, you will put forward your positions and negotiate with different actors to put an end to this deep-seated conflict and arrive at a peace plan.

The lectures during Weeks 7, 11 and 12 will be dedicated to planning and undertaking the negotiations. Further detail will be provided on Wattle.

This exercise will deepen your understanding of the key themes, actors, tools and challenges related to conflict resolution and peacebuilding, while expanding your negotiation skills and capacity to think creatively.

Due date: Week 12.

Assessment Task 4

Conflict resolution research essay

You will write a 2,500 word essay that critically analyses the peace negotiations that you undertook. This involves analysis of what worked well, what could have been done differently, the prospects for success of the peace plan, and recommendations for next steps in the post-conflict phase. You will draw on your experiences, literature, as well as lessons learnt from other conflict and post-conflict cases. Further detail will be provided on Wattle.

The purpose of this essay is to develop your research and academic writing skills, while demonstrating critical analysis of the key concepts and issues, self-evaluation, and appreciation of the practical challenges involved in efforts for peace.

Due date: 1 November 2024.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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 permitted. 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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students