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? Is future conflict inevitable? 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; the use of technologies and tactics; and the public presentation of war and conflict. 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 war 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.
This course will be taught in Japan (in English) as part of the Bachelor of Asia Pacific Affairs.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the sub-field of peace and conflict studies, and its relation to international relations, history and political science.
- 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..
- 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.
- 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.
- Develop their ability to effectively communicate ideas about peace and conflict at both global and local scales, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Indicative Assessment
- Class Participation (10) [LO 1,4]
- Essay (2,000 words) (30) [LO 2,3]
- Class Test (30) [LO 1,2]
- Final Examination (30) [LO 1,2]
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.
Workload
This course comprises some 130 hours of activity over 12 weeks, including some 24 hours of lectures or an equivalent activity and some 12 hours of tutorials or equivalent activity. The course comprises a maximum of 6k words of assessment or the equivalent.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
None specified
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9260 | 01 Oct 2026 | 23 Oct 2026 | 23 Oct 2026 | 31 Dec 2026 | In Person | N/A |