GST 312
Peace and Conflict Resolution
2
Course Description
At the end of this 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 the roles of international organisations, media and traditional institutions in
peace building.
Course Outline
The 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, ZangoKartaf, chieftaincy and land
disputes, etc. Peace building, management of conflicts and security: Peace & Human
Development. Approaches to Peace & Conflict Management (religious, government,
community leaders.). 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 and Security Council (international, national and local levels). Agents of
conflict resolution – Conventions, Treaties Community Policing: Evolution and Imperatives.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (dialogue, arbitration, negotiation, collaboration, etc).
The 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). The media and traditional institutions in peace building. Managing post-
conflict situations/crises: Refugees. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); the role of NGOs in
post-conflict situations/crises.