MASTER'S IN PEACE AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION - UNIVERSITY OF TROMSO, NORWAY

Program description The Faculty of Social Science at the University of Tromso is offering a Master’s Degree program in peace and conflict transformation (MPCT). The first students started at the program in August 2002. A new group of students has enrolled each year in August since then. The next admission is August 2006. Admission is limited to 24 seats. The program has an international recruitment of students, with a mixture of students from Nordic and non-Nordic countries. All literature, teaching and student work will be in English. Aims of the Program The MPCT has a duration of two years. During the program the student shall acquire the ability to analyze, and improve their capacity to handle and propose solutions to complicated conflict formations at different levels of society. The program takes an interdisciplinary approach covering a variety of mandatory courses which student can combine with elective courses and specializations in a various fields, such as Peace and Identity, Peace and Globalization, Peace and Health, Peace and Gender, Peace and the UN, Peace Education and Nonviolence, Human Rights, in addition to courses in research methods. During the first year teaching will be intensive, with an emphasis on course work, group work, papers and oral presentations, and discussions. The overall theme of this Master's Degree Program is the problem of violence and violence reduction. The program at Tromso has been designed to provide the student with knowledge and training in reflection on causes and consequences of violence, of problems, circumstances and relations which may increase the possibility of violence, and exploring possibilities of violence reduction under varying circumstances. Although this gives an explicit value-direction to the course of study, the scientific requirements of explicitness about assumptions and methodology, inter-subjective verification of finds and validity of conclusions are the same as in other human and social sciences. Methods of Teaching The teaching and learning methods will as far as possible be problem based: Taking topics and problems of current interest as our starting point, teaching will be organized as a recurrent cycle of discussion, study, instruction, research and academic production, guided by university academic staff. The academic environment should strongly support students' presentation of their thoughts, arguments and academic products. Theoretical work should develop as a response to their involvement and interest in problems facing humanity today. Thus, the ability to ask pertinent and essential questions and a versatile, problem-solving capacity will be of great importance. Academic advising is an important part of our Master's Degree Program, and all students will be appointed an academic adviser in the course of the first year of study. Supervision is to be given both through seminars and individual supervision. Curriculum: -Integrated peace and conflict studies (introductory and advanced courses). -Political, historical, economic and legal perspectives on conflicts, war and peace -Conflict, violence and peace. Perspectives on culture, ethnic relations, socialization, communication, religion and pedagogy. -Methodology, research methods and ethics in peace studies Specialization. These courses are taken in connection with supervision. The courses will take various forms; group supervision, seminars, lectures etc. Master`s thesis/ equivalent Master`s work Master`s Degree programme in Peace and Conflict Transformation at the University of Tromso Language of instruction: English Duration: 2 years (120 ECTS credits), full time campus study. Objective The objective of the MPCT programme is to provide education and skills relevant to conflict mediation in a variety of settings. The Master’s Programme analyses the problem of violence and violence reduction, via a rigorous and scholarly approach to the study of conflict, violence, conflict resolution and peace at different levels of society or human coexistence. Understanding and analysing international and intercultural relations and communication is emphasised in the programme, but so are skills in conflict management and mediation. The programme provides a theoretical base, in conjunction with practical opportunities for specialisation. This is accomplished through: Core courses addressing a wide range of topics related to conflict, violence, conflict management and peace. Theoretical and methodological specialisation toward different research fields directly or closely related to conflict and peace. Theoretically and/or empirically oriented thesis. Problem-based Learning The pedagogical approach is problem based, continually supporting the development of important and relevant topics of interest. The students' academic enterprise should be organised as a recurrent cycle of study, discussion, instruction, research, academic production, and publication. Theoretical work should develop as a response to their engagement and interest in problems facing humanity today. The programme facilitates the development of pertinent questions concerning conflict, violence and peace, and a versatile, problem-solving capacity. All aspects of the students’ academic progress will be subject to standards commensurate with a graduate level of study. Access to further studies The programme qualifies students for admission to PhD-studies in social sciences and humanities Qualification awarded Master of Philosophy in Peace and Conflict Transformation Admission requirements Students must hold, at minimum, a Bachelor of Arts, Cand.mag. degree or equivalent education of at least three years duration within social sciences, humanities, health sciences, education, or law. All lectures are given in English. An above average and functioning knowledge of English is essential. To be eligible, students who are not Nordic citizens must fulfil the English Proficiency requirements described at the university web page English Proficiency Entry into the programme is competitive and based on Academic qualifications (educational background) Documented professional experience Stated purpose Applicants must enclose an essay of approximately 2 pages stating previous professional experience within this field and purpose of and interest in taking this Master's degree. Those who know Norwegian may write in Norwegian, others are asked to write in English. Number of places is restricted and a certain number of student places will be reserved for Non-Nordic applicants. Programme coordinator The Programme board for Master Degree Programme in Peace and Conflict Transformation Senior executive officer Hildegunn Bruland Student exchange Exchange is possible with universities that have exchange agreements with the University of Tromso (e.g. San Carlos, Guatemala, URRACAN, Nicaragua). All exchange must be approved in advance and must be arranged to fit the Tromso Master programme. Professional prospects The Master programme qualifies students for work in various educational institutions, for work within information as well as other areas of public administration, in international non-governmental organisations and in business, and for further research and studies within peace and/or conflict resolution issues. Examination and grading system The type of examination is specified for each course. The programme follows the grading system A-E, F = fail. Summarised plan of study Course programme: Year 1: SVF-3021, SVF-3022, SVF-3024, SVF-3023 Year 2: SVF-3023, SVF-3901 ( Master’s Thesis) 2 electives, each 10 credits, 2nd and 3rd semester. COURSE PROGRAMME SVF-3021: Integrated peace and conflict studies, 20 credits. First semester, 20 credits, about 40 hours of lectures and seminars. Examination: Essay, written within a period of 10 days. Evaluation is based on the grading system A-E, F = fail. The Peace studies programme has the dual objective of analysing problems associated with conflict(s), violence and war, and searching for ways to solve or transform conflicts and reduce violence. This objective is presented in the table below, balancing elements of analytical and constructive/ future oriented work. As a primarily problems-oriented course, 'Integrated Peace and Conflict Studies' gives a broad introduction to, followed by analysis of, conflict and violence, their origins, context and forms. Philosophical perspectives on war and peace, human rights and international law are emphasised as well as structural and cultural violence and associated issues of direct (intentional) and indirect (unintended) violence. The course-material is divided into two distinct but related components: Peace Studies: Philosophy, Theory and Epistemology The Western Global 'Order' in Philosophical, Historical and Theoretical Perspective SVF-3022: Culture, conflict and society, 10 credits First semester, 10 credits, about 20 hours of lectures and seminars. Examination: Essay, written within a period of 10 days. Evaluation is based on the grading system A-E, F = fail. SVF-3022 employs anthropological, religious and psychological perspectives on conflicts, peace and conflict transformation. The focus is on conflict and violence as human experience - cultural and psycho-logical. The associated complex issues of cultural difference form a critical backdrop to efforts to understand conflict and violence in their various manifestations SVF-3023: Specialisation with methodology Second and third semester, 10 credits, about 20 hours of reading-course and seminars. Examination: Project description for individual master’s work/ thesis, research-paper of up to 6000 words. Evaluation: Project description: Pass/ Fail, research-paper: A-E, F = fail The project description must be approved before May 15th. This informal and low-intensity course starts by agreement with a thesis supervisor in the second semester and runs towards the end of the third semester. The students choose a research topic and select a supervisor or research group within one of the following fields (topics will be elaborated at the beginning of the 1. semester): Social medicine Political economy Law Social science Political science History Integrated peace studies Psychology The course integrates the research topic with the methods of research relevant for each field/ project. During the course, students will develop an individual project description for their master’s thesis, the process of which is supported through a combination of lectures and supervision. The project description shall define the empirical basis of the proposed work (literature, fieldwork, data collection) and discuss the theoretical and methodological framework and choices for the thesis. SVF-3024: Conflict resolution and conflict transformation, 20 credits Second semester, 20 credits, about 40 hours of lectures and seminars. Examination: Essay written within a period of 10 days + oral examination. Evaluation is based on the grading system A-E, F = fail. SVF-3024 examines in greater depth the political and social dimensions of conflict, violence and peace, and a range of highly divergent strategies for managing, resolving and/or transforming conflict. The course consists of two distinct but related components: (i) Social and political violence (ii) The pursuit of peace: Conflict management and resolution. The focus, particularly in part (ii), is on constructive measures to avoid or reduce violence (negative peace), to solve or transform conflicts in creative, less- or non-violent ways, and to enhance the capacity to do so (positive peace). This entails a consideration of strategies, organisations, agencies and means to reduce violence and create more sustainable peace at different levels; from UN/International law via Governments and NGO's, to individual faculties of conflict mediation and conflict management, including an opportunity to train individual skills. SVF-3901: Masters thesis, 40 credits Third and fourth semester, 40 credits, 40 hours of supervision. Examination: Submission of thesis approximately May 15th, and an oral examination approximately June 15th. Evaluation of the thesis by a committee and is based on the grading system A-E, F = fail. The students can choose either to write a theoreti-cally or an empirically based master’s thesis. Students must begin collecting the data material (quantitative and qualitative) during the summer session between the second and third semester. Field work/ data collection is to be finished by Oct. 1st in the third semester. Elective 1 and 2: 10 + 10 credits Second and third semester Elective courses will vary from semester to semester. The students can choose individually between approved courses (mostly at the 3000-level) offered by other departments. It is required that one of the electives be chosen from the courses offered in the area of methodology (except under special circumstances and by special agreement with the programme director and the thesis supervisor) Examination: Depending on the individual choice of course. Evaluation is based on the grading system A-E, F = fail. SEMINAR GROUP During the first and second semester a seminar group will be convened to facilitate continued discussions of topics from lectures, literature etc. First and second semester, no credits. 120 hours seminar. No examination. Application and Admission This programme was launched in 2002. The deadlines for application is April 15th (Nordic applicants),March 1st (international self-financing applicants). For application under the Quota Programme, the deadline is December 1st. The programme has an international recruitment of students, with a mixture of students from Nordic and non-Nordic countries. All literature, teaching and student work will be in English. Admission is limited. Aims of the Programme The MPCT programme has a duration of two years. During the programme the student shall acquire the ability to analyse, and improve their capacity to handle and propose solutions to complicated conflict formations at different levels of society. The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach covering a variety of mandatory courses in social science perspectives on conflict and peace which the student can combine with elective courses/ specialisations such as Peace and (politics of) Identity, Peace and Globalisation, Peace and Health, Peace and Gender, Peace and the UN, Peace Education, Nonviolence, and Human Rights, in addition to courses in research methods. During the first year teaching will be intensive, with an emphasis on course work, group work, papers and oral presentations, and discussions. The overall theme of this Master's degree programme is the problem of violence and violence reduction. The programme at Tromso has been designed to provide the student with knowledge and training in reflection on causes and consequences of violence, of problems, circumstances and relations which may increase the possibility of violence, and exploring possibilities of violence reduction under varying circumstances. Although this gives an explicit value-direction to the course of study, the scientific requirements of explicitness about assumptions and methodology, intersubjective verification of finds and validity of conclusions are the same as in other human and social sciences. Methods of Teaching The teaching and learning methods will as far as possible be problem based: Taking topics and problems of current interest as our starting point, teaching will be organised as a recurrent cycle of discussion, study, instruction, research and academic production, guided by university academic staff. The academic environment should strongly support students' presentation of their thoughts, arguments and academic products. Theoretical work should develop as a response to their involvement and interest in problems facing humanity today. Thus, the ability to ask pertinent and essential questions and a versatile, problem-solving capacity will be of great importance. Academic advising is an important part of our Master's degree programme, and all students will be appointed an academic adviser in the course of the first year of study. Supervision is to be given both through seminars and individual supervision. Curriculum · Integrated peace and conflict studies (introductory and advanced courses). · Political, historical, economic and legal perspectives on conflicts, war and peace · Conflict, violence and peace. Perspectives on culture, ethnic relations, socialisation, communication, religion and pedagogy. · Methodology, research methods and ethics in peace studies · Specialisation course. The student chooses among a variety of courses offered from research groups in social sciences, social medicine, law and humanistics. · Master's thesis/ equivalent Master's work The student chooses a specialisation in line with his or her Master's thesis. The Master's thesis should be independent empirical work, and may be based on a field work. Admission Requirements and Procedures The programme is directed at students trained in social sciences or humanities, law or health sciences. Applicants must document at least three years of studies at university level beyond the basic entrance requirement, equivalent to a Bachelor degree or similar. Preference will be given to applicants who can document academic work, experience and interest in topics related to peace and conflict transformation. Applicants must therefore enclose a statement of purpose or personal essay of approximately 2 pages describing their interest and/or experience in this field. The programme will be taught in English and applicants must be able to document adequate proficiency in English. Please find more information about general admission requirements here (Nordic applicants). Information in English is available here Application deadlines: The application deadline for 2006-2008 for Quota applications is December 1st, 2005, for self financing international applicants March 1st, for Norwegian applicants/applicants meeting the requirements regarding Norwegian profiency, April 15th 2006. Read here for information concerning scholarships under the Quota Program The MPCT-programme starts mid-August 2006. The academic year is divided into two semesters, the autumn semester lasting from August till December and the spring semester lasting from January till June. Application Process Application information and materials may be obtained from the University of Tromso, International Student Office, N-9037 Tromso, Norway Karin Hafstad. For information about the Quota Programme and application procedures for the Master's degree programme, please contact the Foreign Student Adviser: e-mail: international@adm.uit.no, tel. +47 776 44 968, telefax +47 776 44 900. You will also find information about the University of Tromso. Nordic students and students staying in Norway please contact "Opptakskontoret i Studieavdelinga" for application materials. Alumni You find information on some of the graduates from the MPCT programme here. Further Information You can address questions about the programme directly to Senior Executive Officer Hildegunn Bruland: hbruland@sv.uit.no Center for Peace Studies, University of Tromso, 9037 Tromso, Norway Tel: [+47] 776 44 274| Fax: [+47] 776 44 905 E-mail mail@peace.uit.no