Peace and Conflict Studies undergraduate programs

The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies currently offers one undergraduate unit of study in conjunction with the History Department.

Co-ordinator: Dr Ken Macnab

Description:
This unit will examine the history of the causes of war and the processes and outcomes of peacemaking, with particular emphasis on attempts to limit the frequency and severity of war and the creation of instruments of collective security, notably after the Thirty Years War (Treaty of Westphalia, 1746), the Revolutionary Napoleonic Wars (the Congress of Vienna, 1815), the First World War (the League of Nations, 1919), and the Second World War (the United Nations, 1945).

Learning Situations:
Two 1 hour lectures and one 1 hour tutorial per week

Assessment:
One presentation of class paper, one 1000 word tutorial exercise, one 3000 word major essay, class attendance

Prerequisites:
18 junior credit points, of which 6 must be in either HSTY, GOVT, SCLG or LAWS

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From holy wars to world wars, from bows and arrows to weapons of mass destruction, what lessons have we learnt about war and how to achieve a more peaceful future?

How have history and politics shaped the wars people fought and the sorts of peace they have accomplished in the last millennium?

What are the origins and impact of aspirations to limit war, control its conduct, create international collective security and promote peace with justice?

In this course, taught jointly by the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies and the Department of History, you will learn about the history and politics of the causes of war and attempts to reduce its frequency and impact from the Middle Ages through to the Cold War, the War on Terrorism and the war in Iraq. You will gain a better understanding of how nationalism, ideology, racism and imperialism influence the propensity to engage in war and other mass violence.

Hear CPACS Director and international expert on peace journalism, Associate Professor Jake Lynch, explain the significant role the media has played in the politics of war. Learn from Dr Ken Macnab, whose extensive knowledge and passion for teaching about the history of war and peacemaking is well-known at the University of Sydney. Engage with CPACS Academic Coordinator, Dr Wendy Lambourne, in critical discussions about the vision and performance of the United Nations in its quest to maintain international peace and security.