New Masters Programme: Conflict, Reconstruction and Human Security (CRS), Netherlands

<b>Short description</b>:<br> The Specialisation Conflict, Reconstruction and Human Security explores links between violent conflict and development. It does this in the context of poverty, insecurities, structural inequality and militarism.<br> <br> The Specialisation examines different theoretical trajectories of war, violence and peace. These are related to conceptualisations of development, human security and social transformation, using a historically situated, multi-disciplinary analysis of social, economic, political and symbolic processes that lead to, and out of, violence. Local, national and global dimensions of these processes are contextualised through selected case studies. Gender, religion, class, caste and ethnicity are analysed as identities, and as aspects of violent patterns of social inclusion and exclusion, and elements in social mobilisation for social justice and peaceful modes of development. The Specialisation enables students to articulate, identify and discuss the characteristics of “good governance” principles and their application in the field of conflict management. It also enables them to engage in a hands-on way in more practical issues of human and organisational agency in conflict and conflict-transformation through internships, voluntary work and research fieldwork.<br> <br> <b>Learning objectives</b>:<br> This is a multidisciplinary specialization that aims to provide critical, analytical and practical skills to young professionals, activists and researchers engaged in the field of violent conflict, peace and post-conflict reconstruction and development. Upon completion of this specialization, students will:<br> - Acquire comprehensive and critical knowledge of the theoretical approaches and debates regarding violent conflict, peace and development, and gain skills to critically analyze their political and philosophical underpinnings<br> - Develop a comprehensive understanding of the intersections between complex social, economic, political and cultural processes and dynamics of violent conflict<br> - Acquire knowledge critical for working in development under contemporary forms of violent conflict and conflict transformation, and skill to engage with their multiple causes and consequences at local, national and global levels<br> - Develop sensitivity for different ways of engaging with development partners and actors involved in violent conflict, and understand mechanisms for and logic of preventing and transforming conflict and engaging in reconstruction<br> - Develop the critical analytical and practical skills required for conflict analysis, prevention and management and for the promotion of human security in the broadest sense.<br> <br> <b>Learning methods</b>:<br> Teaching and learning in CRS includes a wide variety of pedagogical methods. Next to lectures and class discussions, students will be expected to engage actively in the learning process and conduct independent individual and group work. They will analyze numerous case-studies and policy documents. Media (from internet to film and press) and pieces of visual art and literature will also be used in the learning process. An on-line role play simulation will form part of the core courses in this programme. Finally, students will have an opportunity to engage with, and reflect on, their professional and voluntary experiences through various in- and out- of-class engagements and assignments.<br> <br> <b>Convenor</b>: Dubravka Zarkov<br> <br> <b>Teaching staff</b>:<br> H. Hintjens, M. Salih, P. Verwimp, D. Zarkov et al.<br>