In recent years, the field of peace and conflict studies has grown exponentially. As international relations have become increasingly complex, the need for specialized expertise in the area of peace and conflict has become more apparent. The field of peace and conflict studies is dedicated to understanding the root causes of violent conflict and finding peaceful resolution strategies. Below we have compiled a list of six courses to hone your skills.
Religion, Conflict and Peace
Religion, Conflict and Peace is a free online course offered by Harvard University. This course is intended for anyone who is interested in learning more about the connection between religion and conflict and how organized religions can both promote peace and encourage violence. A self-paced course, the class is taught through a series of online videos. In addition, students have the opportunity to complete a final project, examining the link between religion and conflict in Brazil, Egypt, France, Israel and Palestine, Myanmar, Nigeria, Qatar, the Philippines, Somalia, Syria, Turkey or the United States. The instructor recommends that students complete the course over an eight-week period, devoting four to eight hours of study time to the course weekly.
Conditions of War and Peace
Conditions of War and Peace is a free online course offered by the University of Tokyo in Japan. The course can be beneficial for anyone who is interested in learning more about war and conflict both from historical and contemporary perspectives. Lasting for four weeks, the class is taught through a series of videos and supplemental assignments. Most students will need to spend about 5 to 7 hours on the class weekly to master the concepts covered. During the first module, When is War Necessary, students will learn about theories of just war and how they have been applied over time. The second week deals with Power Transition and War and leads to a discussion on democratic peace and democratic wars in week three. For the final week, the focus is on what conditions are necessary to create lasting global peace.
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice
Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice is a free online course offered by Leiden University in the Netherlands. The class lasts for six weeks and requires roughly 4 to 6 hours of study time each week for success. Through the class, students will learn both about terrorism and the steps that have been taken around the world to fight it. Modules included on the syllabus are: The essence of terrorism, Researching Terrorism and Counterterrorism, 5 Assumptions on Terrorism, 5 Assumptions on Counterterrorism, Dealing with Terrorism and the Future, and Making Headlines Today – Foreign Fighters.
Contemporary Issues in World Politics
Contemporary Issues in World Politics is a free online course offered by the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. The class is self-paced, giving students the ability to complete coursework at a rate that is comfortable for them. As a guideline, the instructor recommends that the class be completed over a six-week period with four to six hours of study time being devoted to the online videos and supplemental assignments weekly. The course begins with a historical background and looks at the world following World War II. It then proceeds to discuss the collapse of Yugoslavia, the rise of China, the return of Russia to the world stage, humanitarian crises and the Arab Spring.
Global Health, Conflict and Violence
Global Health, Conflict and Violence is a free online course offered by the University of Bergen in Norway. The class is geared toward individuals who work in medicine, nursing, allied health and public health who are interested in learning more about global health care. Specifically, the course examines the roles and responsibilities of health care professionals during armed conflicts, nuclear explosions, storms, floods, heatwaves, infectious disease and migration. During each week of the three-week course, students should expect to spend three hours watching videos and completing supplemental assignments.
