MVZn4002 Theories of Conflict, War and Peace in IR

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Maya Higgins, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Ing. Mgr. Adriana Ilavská, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Tue 12:00–15:40 U32
Prerequisites
! MVZ404 Theories of Conflict in IR && !NOW( MVZ404 Theories of Conflict in IR )
English language skills B2 and better.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course deals with theory of conflict and theory of war and peace. Students will learn to interpret the general theory of conflict and the issue of armed conflicts in international relations and their prevention, whereas the emphasis will be placed on issues of war and peace in the theory of international relations. At the end of the course, students will be able to utilize the theoretical concepts of the revolution in military affairs; to analyze war in all its aspects; to outline main theories dealing with armed conflicts, war and peace; to generate the typology of war conflicts; to reflect war and peace in international law; to characterize regulation methods of war conflicts, and to assess problems associated with the conduct of humanitarian interventions.
Learning outcomes
The overall aims of the course are: to understand the theory used in the research of peace and war, to improve the ability of students to apply this theory in research, to define the main differences between the different theoretical schools. Specific goals are: creatively use modern theories of international relations in expert analysis. based on theory, interpret current issues in world politics. analyse key dimensions of international relations (security, economic, energetic, legal, and societal).
Syllabus
  • 1. Uvedení do problematiky, teorie a jejich význam. 2. Základní pojmy v oblasti výzkumu konfliktů 3. Čtyři hlavní vize současného světa ve vztahu k válce a míru 4. Teoretická reflexe příčin válek – biologické a psychologické teorie 5. Teoretická reflexe příčin válek – marxistické teorie o příčinách válek. 6. Liberální teorie o příčinách válek. 7. Teoretická reflexe příčin válek – model racionálního aktéra, OPM model, teorie akce a reakce, byrokratický model politiky. 7. Teoretická reflexe příčin válek – systémové přístupy (realismus a neorealismus), cyklické teorie a historicko-strukturální teorie války. 8. Systémové přístupy - realismus a neorealismus. 9. Teoretická reflexe příčin válek – konstitutivní přístupy s důrazem na koncept spravedlivé války, Responsibility to protect - prezentace PP. 10. Conflict Prevention and Conflict Management 11. Conflict Resolution and Peace Building 12. Přednesení závěrů kolektivních studií I. 13. Přednesení závěrů kolektivních studií II.
Literature
  • Conflict after the Cold War : arguments on causes of war and peace. Edited by Richard K. Betts. 3rd ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2008, xi, 654. ISBN 0205583520. URL info
  • WALLENSTEEN, Peter. Understanding conflict resolution : war, peace and the global system. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications, 2007, iv, 311. ISBN 9781412928595. info
  • BARTOS, Otomar J. and Paul Ernest WEHR. Using conflict theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002, xi, 219. ISBN 0521794463. info
  • TOFFLER, Alvin and Heidi TOFFLER. Válka a antiválka : jak porozumět dnešnímu globálnímu chaosu. Translated by Bohuslav Blažek - Jan Miřejovský. 1. vyd. Praha: Dokořán a Argo, 2002, 303 s. ISBN 8072034456. info
  • CASHMAN, Greg. What causes war? : an introduction to theories of international conflict. Lanham: Lexington Books, 1993, x, 360. ISBN 0739101129. info
Teaching methods
Lectures serve exclusively only as an introduction into the issue of the course. It is assumed that the main part of the subject matter will be managed through self-studying of the special literature. Position papers serve to improve the ability of students to summarize an issue in the field of theory of conflict, war and peace and to evaluate it critically. Analytical studies serve to improve the ability of students to analyze selected issues and to work with primary and secondary sources. Finally presentations serve among others to improve presentation skills of students.
Assessment methods
During the course students have to elaborate, defend and submit one presentations , write one team analytical study on the ahead given topic, and pass 2 tests consisting of the compulsory literature.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
A more detailed syllabus, list of presentation and list of obligatory literature will be available at the beginning of the semester.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2019/MVZn4002