Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2018 - POL 348 D100

Theories of War, Peace and Conflict Resolution (4)

Class Number: 5304

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 17, 2018
    Tue, 2:00–2:00 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:

The course provides a detailed introduction to the systematic study of patterns of conflict in the international system, the causes of war, and to the development of techniques of 'coercive diplomacy' and methods of conflict resolution.   In addition to exploring specific episodes of aggression, intervention and negotiated crisis management, the course will examine ways of promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes among states, and theories on the avoidance of war. Excerpts from relevant films will be shown in lecture time.

There will be a three-hour lecture and a one-hour tutorial each week. Tutorials start in Week Two.

Grading

  • Seminar general participation 10%
  • Seminar attendance 10%
  • Seminar oral presentation(s) 10%
  • Research paper, 3500 words of text (plus notes and bibliography) 40%
  • Final examination (3 hours; essays, short answer and multiple choice components)) 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:


Richard K. Betts, Conflict After the Cold War: Arguments on the Causes of War and Peace , 4th edition (NY, SanFran, Toronto etc: Pearson/Longman, 2013); PaperBack,

ISBN: 13-978-0-205-85175-1

RECOMMENDED READING:

Supplementary (in library reserves):

J. G. Stoessinger, Why Nations Go to War ,11th edition (np: Wadsworth/Cengage publishing via Nelson Education, Scarborough, Ont., 2011); PB, student copy
ISBN: 978-0-495-79718-0

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.
For details, see http://www.sfu.ca/politics/undergraduate/program/related_links.html and click on “Plagiarism and Intellectual Dishonesty” .

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS