GST 312: Peace and Conflict Resolution

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  1. analyse the concepts of peace, conflict and security;
  2. list major forms, types and root causes of conflict and violence;
  3. differentiate between conflict and terrorism;
  4. enumerate security and peace building strategies; and
  5. describe roles of international organisations, media and traditional institutions in peace building
Course Contents

Concepts of Peace, Conflict and Security in a multi-ethnic nation. Types and Theories of Conflicts: Ethnic, Religious, Economic, Geo-political Conflicts; Structural Conflict Theory, Realist Theory of Conflict, Frustration-Aggression Conflict Theory. Root causes of Conflict and Violence in Africa: Indigene and settlers Phenomenon. Boundaries/boarder disputes. Political disputes. Ethnic disputes and rivalries. Economic Inequalities. Social disputes.

Nationalist Movements and Agitations. Selected Conflict Case Studies – Tiv-Junkun; Zango Kartaf, Chieftaincy and Land disputes and many others. Peace Building, Management of Conflicts and Security: Peace & Human Development. Approaches to Peace & Conflict Management — (Religious, Government, Community Leaders and many others). Elements of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution:

Conflict dynamics assessment Scales: Constructive & Destructive. Justice and Legal framework: Concepts of Social Justice. The Nigeria Legal System. Insurgency and Terrorism. Peace Mediation and Peace Keeping. Peace & Security Council (International, National and Local levels) Agents of Conflict resolution – Conventions, Treaties Community Policing: Evolution and Imperatives.

Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR such as:Dialogue, Arbitration, Negotiation, Collaboration and many others. The roles of International Organizations in Conflict Resolution such as: The United Nations, UN and its Conflict Resolution Organs; The African Union & Peace Security Council; and ECOWAS in Peace Keeping. Media and Traditional Institutions in Peace Building. Managing Post-Conflict Situations/Crisis: Refugees. Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. The role of NGOs in Post- Conflict Situations/Crisis.