spring 2026
SVF-2058 Critical Approaches to Peace and Conflict Studies - 10 ECTS

Type of course

The course may be taken as an elective course by students/candidates (UiT/Exchange) already enrolled in a BA program within social sciences, humanities or law. The course may also be taken as a single course.

Admission requirements

General university admission qualifications or recognition of prior learning (realkompetanse).

Application code 9199 - Single courses at the undergraduate level.


Course overlap

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

SVF-1058 Introduction to Peace, Education and Development 5 ects

Course content

The course introduces the students to the field of Peace and Conflict Studies from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective. The course will include the following modules:

Introduction: This module will include an introduction to the field of peace and conflict studies and focus on core concepts (e.g. peace, violence, war, conflict resolution and transformation) and debates in the field and the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

Peace education: This module will include approaches to peace and peace education; education, socialization and peace; peace education and conflict; humiliation and peace, non-violence as tool for conflict transformation; and pedagogy, rationality and holism.

Conflict Transformation tools: This module introduces students to the analytical tools to think critically about questions related to the possibility of peace. It may include conflict dynamics, mediation, reconciliation, DDR, transitional justice.

Peace from below, development and global transformation: This module will emphasise on the postcolonial transformation, development and humanitarianism. Topics may include local and contextual peace building (local-liberal hybrid peace), postcolonial transformation and development and humanitarian aid, and institution building.

Peace and conflict in the age of (social)media: This module focuses on othering/fake news as well as social media as a tool of conflict analysis and conflict transformation.

Gender and peace: This module analyses a gender-inclusive and holistic perspective to peace and conflict. Topics may include femininity and peace vs. masculinity and war, sexual violence in war, women in peacekeeping operations.


Objectives of the course

Knowledge

  • Overview of basic theoretical conceptual frameworks within Peace Studies, including current critical approaches

Skills

  • Ability to apply relevant theoretical concepts to topical debates
  • Ability to identify core factors causing complex social/political situations

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

A combination of lectures and seminars.

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is available for inbound exchange students.

This course has academic prerequisites. Please see the «Admission requirements» section for more information.

Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: INBOUND STUDENT MOBILITY: COURSE COORDINATORS AT THE FACULTIES | UiT


Schedule

Examination

Examination: Duration: Grade scale:
Off campus exam 1 Weeks A–E, fail F
UiT Exams homepage

Re-sit examination

Students who do not pass the previous ordinary examination can gain access to a re-sit examination.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: SVF-2058
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic