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 Kataf, chieftaincy and land disputes
etc. Peace building, management of conflicts and security: peace & human development.
Approaches to peace & conflict management — (religious, government, community leaders etc.).
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.
Dialogue b). Arbitration, c). Negotiation d). Collaboration etc. Roles of International
Organizations in Conflict Resolution. (a). The United Nations, UN and its Conflict Resolution
Organs. (b). The African Union & Peace Security Council (c). 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
