The Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies MA offers a multidisciplinary, comparative study of national, ethnic and religious conflicts in deeply divided societies. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skillset needed to pursue conflict resolution as a career, working in NGOs, humanitarian agencies, diplomacy, think tanks, academia, consultancy, journalism, and law.
In the compulsory module on conflict and coexistence in divided societies, you will learn about topics such as the dynamics of nationalism, sectarianism and identity; the role of civil society in peace processes, truth and reconciliation commissions; and the role of collective memory. You will also learn how conflict can be resolved peacefully through a range of tools like complex constitutional engineering, truth and reconciliation processes, and grassroots movements. We will focus on case studies from the Middle East and around the world, bringing to life the theoretical literature on the causes and consequences of conflict, conflict regulation, and peace processes.
In addition to the compulsory module, you will choose from a variety of optional modules to tailor and/or diversify your studies. For example, you could specialise in the Middle East and learn about its divided cities and contested states and the international politics of the region. You could choose to study broader topics such as diplomacy and foreign policy, state failure and state building, and ‘armchair intelligence’. Or you could focus on power-sharing agreements, negotiation and mediation, and international law and war.