Features and Scope of the course:
Post COVID-19, the nature of globally secure environments and geopolitics will change the issues of global peace and security. Considering the need of the hour, the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, SPPU is starting a two-year Master in Arts (M.A.) Course in Global Peace, Security and Strategic Studies.
The Post-Graduate course in Global Peace, Security & Strategic Studies is formulated over four semesters to provide the students a research-oriented teaching and learning environment which will give them a firm foundation in the study of international as well as domestic conflict, war, co-operation and peace.
The course will provide an integrated study of the global dynamics of security, conflict, and peace relevant to the contemporary world. It will provide detailed historical and theoretical insight into international and domestic conflict and war, cooperation and peace and an advanced understanding of the historical, cultural, social and institutional contexts of regional conflicts (South /South East Asia and Middle East- North Africa). It will expose students to the complexities of conflict and security by focusing on war, grand strategy, arms control, nonproliferation, migration and strategic thought. It will also enhance knowledge related to global and regional organizations working on peace and conflict.
Objectives of the course:
- Help acquire knowledge and develop theories for the dynamics and causes of different kinds of conflicts.
- Enable to apply general research skills, knowledge and skillsets while working with organizations dealing with peace and conflict-related issues.
- Offer opportunity to specialize in the study of regional conflicts
- Help acquire an advanced understanding of the historical, cultural, social and institutional context of the subject area.
- Facilitate students to approach the study of international conflict analysis from a different intellectual and cultural perspective.
- Provide wide-ranging interpretations and encourage the development of analytical skills.
- Provide opportunity to improve the skills required to solve crucial problems faced at the global, national and regional levels.
Structure of the Course:
International Relations and Global Politics: A broad field which would cover interdisciplinary study of international law, international politics, strategy, ethics and issues of international peace and security.
Nationalism, Borders, State and Identity: Designed to understand the interaction between statehood and population groups, to appreciate the relationship between national political discourse and the peace-conflict axis as well as issues of ethnicity, identity, statehood, self-determination and self-protection.
United Nations, Regional Organizations and International Security: Impart an advanced level of understanding the role and function of the United Nations and an understanding of key challenges faced by the United Nations.
Theories of Conflict, Violence and Conflict Resolution: Focus on theoretical reflections, to understand modern nationalism in world politics as well as different aspects of conflict ranging from inter-state to intra-state conflict and develop a critical awareness of the main theories.
Reconstruction and Development: Study and assess the impact of wars and disasters and their demands upon local, national and international actors and look at reconstruction from a number of differing perspectives and through a variety of disciplinary approaches and empirical case studies.
Politics and Conflict in South and South East Asia: Current dynamics in terms of complexities of inter-state relations, ethnography, cultural dynamics and international interests and interventions would be analyzed and assessed in detail.
Terrorism and Global Security Law: Develop an understanding of the complex relationships between terrorism, counter-terrorism efforts, and human rights, both at home and abroad. Focus on crimes by the State, many of which are grounded in wider theories and approaches common to International Relations and Security Studies.
Negotiation and Mediation: Focus on practical as well as on the theoretical aspects of negotiation and mediation
Method of Teaching:
- Utilize a variety of instructional methods- classroom interactions, tutorials, study of classical texts, case method, debates, field visits, the open book method, round table discussion panels, online learning, problem-based learning, simulation, problem formulation, database searches, comparative studies, preparation of monograph, oral presentations, tutoring, text analysis, problem solving, library work and discussions.
- Special lectures by eminent scholars
- Conduct seminars, webinars and discussion panels
Method of Teaching:
- Utilize a variety of instructional methods- classroom interactions, tutorials, study of classical texts, case method, debates, field visits, the open book method, round table discussion panels, online learning, problem-based learning, simulation, problem formulation, database searches, comparative studies, preparation of monograph, oral presentations, tutoring, text analysis, problem solving, library work and discussions.
- Special lectures by eminent scholars
- Conduct seminars, webinars and discussion panels