CDSn4001:
Conflict
Analysis
Introduction &
Welcome
September 18, 2023
Miriam Matejova, PhD
Welcome to
CDSn4001
• Instructor: Miriam Matejova, PhD
• Office Hours: Mon 2-4 pm or by
e-mail/Zoom
• Email: matejova@fss.muni.cz
Introductions
1. Who are you?
2. Why did you choose to pursue an MA at
MUNI?
3. What are you hoping to get out of this
course?
Required Literature
• The required course readings
are available through the
course online system or
• the library:
https://knihovna.fss.muni.cz/
Course website
• We have a course website through MUNI
Information System:
https://is.muni.cz/?lang=en
• On the website you will find the readings as
well as course announcements, slides, and the
syllabus.
– Lecture outlines will be posted once a week
• You are responsible for regularly checking the
website.
Syllabus overview
• Assignments:
1) Weekly collaboratively summaries of the
assigned required readings.
2) Final exam in form of a written test, which
will cover the required literature and
lectures.
Weekly summaries
• Worth 30 points
– Start in Week 2
– 3 points per week
• Collaborative
• Analytical
• Written through GoogleDocs
• Must be submitted by 8 pm CET the day
before the class meets
Final exam
• Worth 40 points
• Written test after the course concludes
(likely online)
• Short-answer questions
• Must answer 4 out of 5
• 10 points each
• Covers required literature and lectures
Grade
distribution
• A: 70-64 points
• B: 63-57 points
• C: 56-51 points
• D: 50-46 points
• E: 45-42 points
• F: 41 points and less
Course objectives
• Identify and critically evaluate major theories, hypotheses,
and debates on the causes of violent interstate conflict
and civil war;
• Use theory to better understand and gain insight into the
causes of particular conflicts;
• Use theory and history to design and assess viable policy
options for preventing or minimizing the severity of
violent conflict.
Course overview
• This class is organized around discussion.
• Respectful environment is therefore crucial.
• Our starting point will be the weekly analytical
summaries.
• Lectures will focus and/or supplement the reading
material.
Next week: analytical
summaries
• GoogleDocs
• Template
distribution
• Summarizers