PEAC504 Development and Peacebuilding

Overview

An introduction to the theoretical, ethical and political underpinnings of the development-peacebuilding-security nexus, and the challenges of post-colonial, post-conflict reconstruction, development and reconciliation.

About this paper

Restriction

PEAC 404

Limited to

MIDP, MPCS

Eligibility

Development and Peacebuilding is suitable for graduates and professionals of all disciplines interested in working in the Global South on aid, development and peacebuilding projects. It will also provide a solid theoretical grounding to the field for students who are more interested in theory and research.

Contact

peaceandconflict@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies' website

Teaching staff

Dr SungYong Lee

Paper Structure

This paper is based on 3-hour weekly seminars, which will introduce students to development and peacebuilding in theory and in practice. The seminars will utilise a variety of teaching methods: lectures, films, debates, discussions and case studies.

Topics will include:

1. Introduction: Development, Peacebuilding and Security Nexus
2. State Agencies of Peacebuilding
3. International/Regional Agencies: International Aid
4. Non-state Actors
5. Liberal Models of Peacebuilding and Development
6. Emergency Relief and Security Reconstruction
7. Political Peacebuilding
8. Democritisation and Peacebuilding
9. Power and Empowerment in Peacebuilding
10. Economic Development
11. Poverty and the Resource Curse
12. Justice and Human Rights in Post-war Society
13. Hybrid Peace, Local Ownership and Beyond

Teaching Arrangements

This paper is taught via a three-hour seminar once per week.

Textbooks

A range of readings will be set and made available prior to each class.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will have knowledge of and insight into

• The theoretical, ethical and political underpinnings of development and peacebuilding
• The key lines of contemporary debate on peacebuilding and development, which include:
  • The socio-cultural consequences of violent conflicts
  • The different roles of the actors at different levels in peacebuilding
  • The contemporary debate on "The Liberal Peace" and its alternatives
  • Major challenges of contemporary conflict resolution and peacebuilding practice
• Making theoretically informed and empirically based arguments
• Argumentation, critical analysis, writing, collaboration and presentation

Timetable

Overview

An introduction to the theoretical, ethical and political underpinnings of the development-peacebuilding-security nexus, and the challenges of post-colonial, post-conflict reconstruction, development and reconciliation.

Development and Peacebuilding (PEAC 504) aims to introduce the theoretical, normative and practical underpinnings of the development and peacebuilding in conflict-affected societies. The course will offer students an opportunity to develop their critical views on a wide range of challenges facing contemporary practice of humanitarian aid, post-conflict reconstruction, and economic and social development. Moreover, it aims to critically review the features of Western approaches to peacebuilding and development, and explore indigenous alternatives to them. The cases reviewed in this paper will include the examples in Aotearoa, the Pacific Islands, and beyond.

About this paper

Restriction

PEAC 404

Limited to

MIDP, MPCS

Eligibility

Development and Peacebuilding is suitable for graduates and professionals of all disciplines interested in working in the Global South on aid, development and peacebuilding projects. It will also provide a solid theoretical grounding to the field for students who are more interested in theory and research.

Contact

peaceandconflict@otago.ac.nz

More information link

View more information on the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies' website

Teaching staff

Dr SungYong Lee

Paper Structure

This paper is based on 3-hour weekly seminars, which will introduce students to development and peacebuilding in theory and in practice. The seminars will utilise a variety of teaching methods: lectures, films, debates, discussions and case studies.

Topics will include:

1. Introduction: Development, Peacebuilding and Security Nexus
2. Liberal Peacebuilding and Its Alternatives
3. Colonialism, Power and Empowerment
4. International/Regional Agencies
5. State Agencies
6. Sub-state Agencies
7. Humanitarian Intervention and Emergency Relief
8. Rehabilitation and Security Peacebuilding
9. Political Peacebuilding
10. Socioeconomic Development
11. The Resource Curse and Environment
12. Conflict Transformation and the Reconstruction of a Society
13. Social Reconciliation and Transitional Justice

Teaching Arrangements

This paper is taught via a three-hour seminar once per week.

Textbooks

A range of readings will be set and made available prior to each class.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will have knowledge of and insight into:

• The theoretical, ethical and political underpinnings of development and peacebuilding
• The key lines of contemporary debate on peacebuilding and development, which include:
  • The socio-cultural consequences of violent conflicts
  • The different roles of the actors at different levels in peacebuilding
  • The contemporary debate on "The Liberal Peace" and its alternatives
  • Major challenges of contemporary conflict resolution and peacebuilding practice
• Making theoretically informed and empirically based arguments
• Argumentation, critical analysis, writing, collaboration and presentation

Timetable