DEVT 2003 - Managing Conflict in the Developing World

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2014

War and conflict is as old a phenomenon as history itself. However, there has been a marked shift in the predominant forms of war in recent decades. While inter-state war appears to be decreasing, civil war has been on the rise, particularly in the developing world. This course analyses the sources of division in these countries, how they manifest structurally within societies, and the factors that can cause them to erupt vio lently into armed conflict or terrorism. The course further examines the policy options that are available to the international community to manage and address these conflicts, and the measures that communities directly affected by conflict can adopt to promote lasting peace. The course has a strong focus on conflict resolution measures and policy options that can be practically implemented. It also incorporates an analysis of specific instances of conflict and international interventions. This course will be of interest to anyone who wishes to develop their knowledge of international development, international relations and conflict resolution, and rid the developing world of war and violence.

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Course Details

Course Code	DEVT 2003
Course	Managing Conflict in the Developing World
Coordinating Unit	Anthropology and Development Studies
Term	Winter
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 17 hours per week
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of undergraduate study
Assessment	Participation (10%), In-class test (15%), Assignment (25%), 3000 word essay (50%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Mr Michael Cornish

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1	Analyse conflicts: to describe and explain the nature of conflict, their key drivers, and their complex interaction
2	Explain and apply key conflict management approaches
3	Analyse and describe appropriate policy options available to government and international organisations to respond to conflict, and to judge the appropriateness of these policies
4	Identify and appraise conflict management policy failures, and suggest adjustments or alternatives
5	Generate creative and transformative approaches to conflict management
6	Develop research skills and skills in persuasive oral and written argument including: data collection; interpretation by way of analytical commentary; demonstrated ability to support analysis through empirical evidence and draw critical conclusions; presentation skills
7	Develop teamwork skills

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-5
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1, 3, 4, 6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	5, 6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	7
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1, 3, 4, 5
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	4, 5, 6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1, 3, 4, 5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

A course reader comprising of all the required and additional readings will be available for purchase from Image and Copy.

Online Learning

Course material will be made available on MyUni.

Learning & Teaching Modes

The course is taught intensively over two weeks and will consist five lecture slots (13 hours total) each week, and two seminar sessions (4 hours total) each week. The seminars aim to encourage discussion on both the theoretical and real-world aspects of the material covered in the lectures and readings, and will have a strong focus on participatory activities.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

This course is taught intensively over two weeks.

5 x 3-hour lectures per week	30 hours per semester
2 x 2-hour seminars per week	8 hours per semester
16 hours reading per week	32 hours per semester
14 hours research per week	28 hours per semester
14 hours assignment preparation per week	28 hours per semester
11 hours practice work per week	22 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD	156 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

This course is taught intensively over two weeks.

Schedule
Week 1	Introduction/causes of conflict/responsibility to protect Economy and violence The resource curse Terrorism and insurgency: Mali Terrorism and insurgency: Syria
Week 2	Approaches to conflict management: peacekeeping; international and regional architecture Approaches to conflict management: Constitutionalism Approaches to conflict management: International law; mediation Approaches to conflict management: International aid; Reconciliation and peace-building Approaches to conflict management: Non-violence

Specific Course Requirements

Students taking this course are assumed to have first year university knowledge equivalent to development studies, international politics, or conflict resolution.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Seminar participation	Formative and Summative	10%	1-7
In-class test	Formative and Summative	15%	1-4
Assignment	Formative and Summative	25%	1, 2, 3, 4, 6
2500-3000 word essay	Formative and Summative	50%	1-6

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance at seminars is expected and is required to receive marks in seminar participation.

Assessment Detail

Seminar participation: students attend and participate in seminar discussions and activities - 10% weighting.

Assignment: comprised of two components - critial analysis of two readings of the student's choice from the first week of readings; a one page policy brief - 25% weighting.

In-class test: comprised of multiple choice and short answer questions - 15% weighting.

2500-3000 word essay: students submit an essay on a topic chosen from a list - 50% weighting.

Submission

All assignments must be submitted electronically via MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator