Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - POL 348 D100

Theories of War, Peace and Conflict Resolution (4)

Class Number: 5270

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Mar 3, 2021
    Wed, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Apr 27, 2021
    Tue, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Six lower division units in political science or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the origins and causes of several major conflicts during the last century. This course reviews various theories on the causes of conflict and war in the international system. It also examines the techniques of preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, crisis management and coercive diplomacy as they have been used to try to forestall open warfare and maximize the opportunities for peaceful change and the negotiated resolution of international disputes. Both documentary and feature films will be used to illustrate many types of conflict and warfare in the international system. Course simulations, when employed, will concentrate on the problems and risks that are involved in international efforts to contain and reverse the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

COURSE DETAILS:

Why do wars occur?  How can we maintain peace?  Are we destined for another big war among competing great powers?  These are fundamental and perennial questions in world politics, and many thinkers have wrestled with them.  This course provides an overview of these theories, as well as common ways of scholarly inquiry, with which all students of international security should be familiar.  Upon the successful completion of this course, students will have acquired the foundational knowledge for further academic training in international security affairs.   

Course Times:

Wed  2:30pm-3:30pm (asynchronous) & 3:30pm-5:20pm (synchronously through Zoom).

Grading

  • Participation (attendance and weekly journals) 25%
  • In-class mid-term exam (Feb. 24, 2021) 35%
  • Final examination 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Richard K. Betts, ed., Conflict After the Cold War: Arguments on Causes of War and Peace. 5th ed. (Routledge, NY: 2017) [paperback and electronic]. ISBN 978-1-138-29069-3.  3rd and 4th editions are also acceptable. 


In addition, journal articles will be assigned.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).