MVZ404 Theories of Conflict, War and Peace in IR

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 12 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Zinaida Bechná, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Vendula Šobáňová (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Eva Taterová, M.A., Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 P21
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Schopnost číst v anglickém jazyce.
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.
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, and to define the main differences between the different theoretical schools.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction into the issue - the interpretation of the basic terms (conflict, war, peace, etc.), assignment of the “position papers” topics, introduction of the anticipated parameters of the analytical studies and introduction of the special literature.
  • 2. Conflicts in international relations and their research.
  • 3. Discussion of the concepts of analytical studies.
  • 4. Preventing the outbreak of conflicts and the post-conflict reconstruction.
  • 5. The role of international organizations in conflict resolution.
  • 6. Discussion of the position paper No. 1.
  • 7. Theory on the causes of war I.
  • 8. Theory on the causes of war II.
  • 9. The war against terrorism, the theoretical reflection of the international terrorism and the options of combating terrorism.
  • 10. Concepts of revolution in military affairs.
  • 11. Discussion of the position paper No. 2.
  • 12. The presentation of the remaining presentations and general discussion.
  • 13. Credit written test.
Literature
  • WALLENSTEEN, Peter. Understanding conflict resolution : war, peace and the global system. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications, 2007, iv, 311. ISBN 9781412928595. info
  • GRAY, Colin S. War, peace and international relations : an introduction to strategic history. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 2007, xiv, 306. ISBN 9780415386395. info
  • BAYLIS, John. Strategy in the contemporary world : an introduction to strategic studies. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002, xiii, 357. ISBN 019878273X. 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
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 hand over two “position papers” to the given literature, one or two presentations (to be confirmed according to the number of students), write one analytical study on the ahead given topic, and pass a written test (success rate 60 %) consisting of the compulsory literature.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2011, recent)
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