Course Syllabus for students Spring 2021

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

- account for the central theories of conflict transformation and the difference between conflict resolution, conflict management, and conflict transformation
- describe how conflict is impinged at a personal, group, and societal level
- account for dynamics whithin conflict situations
- describe reflective practice in development work/conflict transformation

- analyze how belief systems arise, how the interplay of emotions and conflict can escalate, and affect conflict situations
- analyze and apply tools for conflict analysis
- suggest interventions in line with conflict transformation theory
- work with dialogue practice as a form of intervention in conflict situations

- critically reflect upon interventions in conflict situations
- have awareness of culture, world views, and increased cultural sensitivity to deal with conflict
- have awareness of how psychological trauma relates to interventions in crisis conflict situations

• Conflict transformation theory and concepts
• Tools for analyzing and designing conflict transformation interventions
• Critical issues relating to conflict (power culture, identity and gender)
• Building strategies to address conflict in developing countries

The course contains lectures and seminars. A digital learning platform is used.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive instruction/supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted. After that, the right to receive instruction/supervision expires.

The teaching is conducted in English.

General entry requirements or the equivalent. English proficiency is required. Exemption is granted from the requirement in Swedish.

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

Examination is composed of three assignments:
- A process-oriented dialogue seminar with an individual written assignment, 1.5 credits (A-F)
-A process-oriented written group examination, 3.5 credits (Pass or fail)
-An individual written assignment reflecting and analyzing Conflict transformation theory and methodology, 2.5 credits (A-F)

Two of the examinations are based on process-oriented work in groups, which means that students need to participate in those seminars preparing for the pair or group work and in the group work to pass the course.

The examination is based on instruction and course literature and the assignments are written in English.



The grades A, B, C, D and E are all passing grades. For courses with more than one examination, students are given a final grade based on an overall assessment of all examinations included in the course. The final grade of the course is issued only when all course units have been passed.
The examination must allow for students to be assessed on an individual basis. Students may not make a second attempt at any examination (or element of examination) already passed in order to receive a higher grade. Further information concerning assessment and grading criteria is provided in a study guide distributed at the beginning of the course.


Students are guaranteed a minimum of three examination occasions, including the regular occasion. If a student has failed the same examination three times, the student is entitled to request that the next examination is assessed and graded by a new examiner if possible. The decision to accept or reject such a request is made by the vice dean of education. In case the course is terminated or significantly altered, examination according to the present course syllabus shall be offered on at least two occasions in the course of one year after the termination/alteration.

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Seminar and Individual written assignment	4 credits	A/B/C/D/E/FX/F
Written group assignment and Group presentation1	3.5 credits	U/G

¹ This examination is graded Fail (U) or Pass (G)

At the end of the course, a course evaluation is performed and commented on by the course coordinator and, if possible, a student/students (course developer/s).
The course evaluation, which is published on the relevant learning platform and submitted to the study administration, is to function as a basis for future improvements to the course.

The course encourages students to analyze conflict areas from interpersonal and general societal processes.
The course encourage students to personal reflection on own worldview, belief systems and culture to deepen the understanding of their own role in conflict transformation work.

The course is normally given in English but will be given in Swedish if all the students enrolled in the course speak Swedish.

Fisher, Simon; Abdi, Dekha Ibrahim; Ludin, Jawed; Smith, Richard; Williams, Steve; Williams, Sue (2000). Working with conflict: Skills and strategies and for action. New York: Zed Books. 180 pages


Lederach, John Paul(2003) The Little Book of Conflict Transformation. Good books, Auckland,
New Zealand, page 3-72.


Lederach, John Paul (1997). Building peace: Sustainable reconciliation in divided societies. Washington DC: United States Institute of Peace Press. 180 pages

Schirch, Lisa (2004) The little book of Strategic Peacebuilding. Good books, Auckland, New Zealand, page 3-85.


Articles and other materials (up to 400 pages) are added throughout the course.

Other literature related to the student's own project will be chosen in agreement with the course leader.


Citing Sources – How to Create Literature References.
http:ju.se/library/search--write/citing-sources---how-to-create-lit erature-references.html

The Interactive Anti-Plagiarism Guide – Jönköping University
Information about plagiarism at higher education institutions
Available in the course event on the e-learning platform.