Overseas College Course - Thailand

I suggest that Granite State University students take a beginning course in peace and conflict studies. This field of study belongs to the category of social sciences fields. It requires the study of both violent and nonviolent means of resolving disputes. Conflict resolution can be aided by the study of peace. Having a thorough understanding of the topic will also help to guarantee that everyone involved in the dispute benefits from the resolution found ((Lederach, Pp. 82). The opposite of this field is military studies, which focus on using force to put an end to a conflict. The solution here is meant to benefit only one party in the conflict. Military studies will encourage violent means to get a solution, unlike peace and conflict studies which foster harmony. Peace and conflict studies are a combination of several disciplines which include geography, international relation, history, religious, and gender studies. The study of this course will empower learners to understand the complex nature of peace and conflict. I am confident that the Peace and conflict studies course will also help learners in developing critical thinking and communication skills in their daily lives.

Peace and conflict studies are fairly a new subject. Its study began in the early ’50s and ’60s. This course had no independent research tools; neither did it have independent experts. More so, it was not a subject of its own because it was integrated into others. At that time, platforms where learners could share ideas were introduced.

Description of the proposed course

Peace studies can be categorized as a discipline which covers elements of politics, international relation, psychology, economics, and sociology. Critical theory was put forward to explain this study. This theory posits that it is the man who can liberate himself from slavery. Peace and conflict studies can also be classified as multi-level which means that it examines peace between individuals, groups, nations, cities or states. It encompasses the Multi-cultural aspect. For instance, Gandhi is seen as a branch of peace and conflict studies. Peace study contains an element of having a bad and good judgment (Lederach, Pp. 80).

Peace Studies will allow learners to scrutinize triggers of war and their possible preventions. Its scope will include the nature of violence such as social injustices, racial and economic discrimination, as well as oppression by different classes of people (Charles, Pp. 592). Finally, the study of peace and conflict will ensure that humankind attains a society that is just and full of equity. Women’s libber scholars came up with an expert opinion on the role of females in the resolution of armed wars. Women’s contributions can be seen in the development of United Nations Security Council in the year 1325. Influential members of the feminist group that gave immense contribution were Claire Duncanson and Carol Cohn. They played a very critical role in their respective fields.

Suggestions on how it might work.

I am optimistic that Peace and conflict studies will work if the following criteria are adopted. Firstly, the course should be publicized in the school magazine, website, and the catalog as a new program that is up for grabs. Also, speakers with good repetition and proper mastery of the subject should be invited to talk to the students about the importance of undertaking this course. Thirdly, Granite State University should source and employ competent lecturers who will, in turn, teach the subject in a way that will make it interesting for the learners. Fourthly, scholarships should be introduced for students who come from the third world countries to ensure that the subject gets to the right audience. It is in the third world countries that most of the conflict is reported. It should be noted that most of the students cannot afford to study in some of the prestigious institutions around the globe such due to poverty. Finally, the veterans who fought in some of the wars of the worlds should be invited as speakers to give a real account of the happenings. The invitations should also be extended to the soldiers and delegates who were sent on peacekeeping missions around the globe. The invitations will give students a real account of the events as they happened back in history. This experience will help students to relate the encounter with what they will have been taught in class.

Ways in which this course would fit in with other courses

I have confidence that the introduction of peace and conflict studies course will succeed. This program will be beneficial to almost all learners in our esteemed institution. The benefit of introducing this course is that it will be an avenue in which students can come into contact with the careers that they want to pursue in future. The minor subject can be applied together with several other majors. The majors include leadership studies, cultural studies, gender studies, and Exeter.

Requirements that the lecturer should possess before teaching peace and conflict studies in Granite State University

A lecturer who can teach this subject should be a holder of a Master’s degree from a relevant discipline. He/she should have research experience and the ability to teach a wide variety of courses at all undergraduate levels. Also, the lecturer should have experience in giving advice, development of programs, and coordination. Other preferred qualifications for the teacher of the discipline include a demonstration of commitment to teaching learners as well as experience on the use of technology.

Students who are expected to take this course

The main students who are supposed to pursue this course include anyone who is undertaking courses such as leadership studies, environmental studies, ethnic studies, and religious studies. Also, this course is designed for learners who wish to chase after careers in the disciplined forces, investigators, correctional services, and security management. This discipline will equip students with necessary skills required to pursue their careers, and it may also help in improving their workforces. Finally, most of the targeted students will probably come from the third world countries. The third world countries include Nigeria, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Philippines, and many others. The reason behind this selection is that most of these third world nations are being faced with tribal or ethnic wars. This conflict leads to a society that is in dire need of people with the ability to maintain peace. Such students in their respective countries will play a pivotal role in ensuring a long-term solution for maintaining peace after they finish this course successfully.

Proposal

A brief description of the course and its rationale

Peace and conflict studies started as a discussion club in the 19th century. The clubs were in existence among the students of the United States. This practice was adopted in other parts of the world after the Second World War. The first school to implement this program was Manchester University located in the United States of America. This discipline was introduced by Gladys Muir in that institution. The intention behind this program was to ensure that the world becomes a better place and free from fights because it was crafted after the first and second world war. For many years now, several people have undertaken this course to equip themselves with the power to solve conflicts in a civilized way in their respective societies. It is also surprising that several military men have also decided to undertake the same study (Page ’Teaching Peace to the Military’ 2007, Pp. 577).

The discipline has been accepted all over the world among scholars who belong to different fields of study. It has also been accepted by several top policymakers around the globe. In the present society, Peace and conflict studies are widely taught and researched by many institutions in different locations.

I, therefore, petition the head of the department in the faculty of Arts and social sciences to agree and introduce this course at Granite State University. The subject should be introduced due to the rising number of conflicts in our country. Several people should undertake this subject to enhance their ability to manage the increased number of conflicts. I am confident that the course will lead to a peaceful society that is free from wars and crimes. Also, once this art is mastered, our societies will be able to prevent future feuds since this discipline ensures that there is something for everyone when the solutions are found.

Cases where peace and conflict studies will be applied

In the recent past, there has been a stalemate on the issue of manufacture of nuclear weapons by North Korea. This conflict has risen, and it is on the verge of exploding to a world war between the United States and North Korea. The United States is giving very stern warnings against the manufacture of nuclear weapons. America does not support the manufacture of these weapons because it is an endangerment to both the citizens of that nation and those of the world. North Korea is not heeding to the warnings since it is a self- sufficient proclaimed state. I propose this course since it can be applied to real-life situations like the one cited above. Peace studies will apply non-violent means to settle this conflict since the war will only bring more peril to the world. Furthermore, the mastery of this art and subject will ensure that North Korea and the United States get to their objectives without the invasion of the other party’s objectives.

There is a major issue of ethnic wars that are taking place every day in Africa. The United Nation has adopted non-violent measures to quell these wars. One of the ways applied is the use of disarmament method in which the fighters are encouraged to surrender their weapons. A state free from weapons will be the one without war. The principle that is taught on this subject aids in enhancing the use of the non-violent means of conflict resolution. This method has been proved to be workable in the African setting to ensure that peace prevails.

Mode of assessment

The lecturers should improvise other methods of assessing the progress of students. Instructors may also be required to give a sitting continuance assessment tests (CATs) and the Random assessment tests (RATs) which will consist 30% of the total marks of the course. The lecturers should also try to test the communication skills of each student by organizing oral tests which may comprise of 10% of the total marks. At the end of the term, there will be a compulsory end of semester test that will constitute 70% of the total marks.

How it can be offered

I propose that this course is offered together with a relevant major to ensure that the students will grasp what they are taught in class. This minor course may apply as filler to the loopholes left behind in the majors by the lecturers.

Subjects to be covered

This course will consist of several subjects such as the study of peace, principles of conflict resolution, counseling skills, introduction to security management, community policing, and finally the introduction to conflict resolution management.

The suitable semester it could be offered

I propose that this course is offered in the summer term (April-August). The rationale behind this is because several of the students have enrolled in the winter classes. This will ensure that the student’s classes do not clash with each other. Furthermore, it should be offered from 7:00am-10:00 am to ensure that the syllabus is covered without fail.

How peace and conflict studies blend with other courses

I am confident that the introduction of the peace and conflict studies course will be beneficial to every student on our campus. Its introduction will ensure that the students will get a chance to freely mix with the field in which they might fall into in their respective futures. The minor subject can be applied together with most of the majors that are offered on our campus. Major subjects include cultural studies, leadership studies, gender studies, and many others (Page, Pp. 575).

Eligibility to undertake this course

This course will be suitable for any student who has completed the secondary education and any person who comes from a related work experience field approved by the registrar. The minimum eligibility for this course is a simple post-secondary study or a certificate in a related field of study.

Modes of learning of this course for the students

Peace and conflict studies is a three-week course. The duration is quite long due to the large amount that needs to be covered in the discipline. Basics are not present in this discipline. It is a course that is required for majors in humanities and social sciences. The class must be offered to the individuals personally due to the physical practicals that are in the course outline.

The texts to be used in teaching the subject

There are several texts which can be used by the teachers of the subject. The main book that will be required is the Peace and Conflict Studies by Charles P. Webel and David P. Barash, Textbook (Hardcover - Older Edition), SAGE Publications, March 2002, ISBN 978-0-7619-2507-1. This book contains a wide definition of concepts that are used in this discipline. It will be a beneficial book which will lead a student on the right path to mastery of this wide field. The book will cost around $30.

The lecturer will propose additional material that the students will be required to read for more content. The students should also try to search for supplementary reading materials from the internet. Finally, the students are required to come to class with an open mind ready to disagree to agree.

Outcomes of the course

The outcomes of this program are adopted from the Clark university syllabus: The first result is that the student should be able to put basic definitions into practice. Also, he/she should be able to define the terms used in this field. Secondly, the student should be able to apply non-violent means to solve a conflict in a real-world situation (Dugan, Pp. 73). Thirdly, the learner should also have acquired effective communication skills to help reach an agreement. Fourth, the student should be able to explain the causes of conflicts, prevention measures, and their possible solutions. Finally, learners should be able to apply a variety of methods that will ensure there is a win-win situation. This strategy seeks to avoid future wars which are always triggered by the urge of getting revenge for a low resolution which was previously arrived at by the peacemakers (Dugan, Pp.75).

The photo below is an illustration of the peace sign.

Source: www.wikipedia.com

’Works cited’

Page, James S. 2007. ’Teaching Peace to the Military’. Peace Review, 19(4):571-577

Peace and Conflict Studies by Charles P. Webel and David P. Barash, Textbook (Hardcover - Older Edition), SAGE Publications, March 2002, 592pp, ISBN 978-0-7619-2507-1.

Peace studies, public policy and global security- Volume III

Edited by Ursula Oswald Spring, Ada Aharoni, Ralph V. Summy, Robert Charles Elli

Dugan, M. 1989. “Peace Studies at the Graduate Level.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political Science: Peace Studies: Past and Future, 504, 72-79.

Lederach, J, Building Peace- ’Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies’, Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 1997. 78-89