Project management and methods in zones of conflict

Course Code: FK202E

Institution:

Department of Global Political Studies

Revision:

5

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 11 March 2010.
This course syllabus (version 5) was approved 18 July 2012 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society.
The syllabus is valid from 03 September 2012. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 24 May 2012.

Education level

First cycle

Course description

The aim of this course, which is a continuation course in the multidisciplinary subject of Peace and Conflict Studies, is to give students both theoretical understanding and professional skills that will enhance their employability.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergraduate level.

Entry requirements

Prerequisite courses for this course are: Passed courses: FK101E-Peace and Conflict Studies I and FK102E-Peace and Conflict Studies II.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

After finishing the course, the student
• can demonstrate an understanding of civil society actors’ project-work relating to peace and conflict studies;
• can demonstrate in-depth understanding of the management and implementation of projects in the field

Applying knowledge and understanding

After finishing the course, the student:
• can demonstrate the ability to independently propose and plan projects relevant to civil society actors engaged in issues concerning peace and conflict;
• can demonstrate the ability to within given time frames carry out a task that is of relevance for project management

Making judgments and communication skills

After finishing the course, the students:
• can show the specialised ability to independently analyse and critically reflect upon project management, implementation and evaluation relevant to peace and conflict studies
• has the specialised ability to independently evaluate own knowledge in relation to the project-work taken up in the course, and identify the need for acquiring further competence within the subject.

Assessments

Students’ performance are, in module 1 and 2, examined by means of obligatory written assignments, formal exam, planning and execution of an event, take-home exam in the form of an independent conflict analysis and through seminar presentations.

Further instructions regarding examination as well as grading criteria will be provided at the start of the course.

Students who do not pass the regular course exams have the minimum of two re-sit opportunities. Re-sits follow the same form as the original exam, apart from re-sits for group work, which take the form of individual written and oral assignments.

Course content

The course equips students with knowledge and skills that will enable their practical engagement in various projects within conflict resolution, peace building, development and aid. Cases of concrete projects of, NGOs and INGOs are discussed and scrutinized. The course consists of two modules: Project management, implementation and evaluation (7.5hec), Conflict complexity: Analysis of conflict dynamics and actors (7.5hec)

Project management, implementation and evaluation (7.5hec)
The module focuses on the practicalities concerning project management in the field of conflict resolution and prevention, development and aid, such as project planning, budget making, fund raising, project management, public relations, as well as post-project evaluations.

Conflict complexity: Analysis of conflict dynamics and actors (7.5hec)
In this course students will individually conduct conflict analyses in which the complexity of conflict/war is examined, and in which the role of civil society will be considered specifically, among other things through critical scrutiny and evaluation of civil society actors. The course aims at broadening and deepening the student’s capacity to analyse the complexity of conflicts.

Learning activities

Lectures, seminars, oral presentations, data processing, budget making, fund raising, report writing.

Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). ECTS grading system can be used on students demand.

Reading list and other media

FK202E Project management and methods in zones of conflict

• Anderson, M. B. (2004) “Experiences with impact assessment: Can we know what good we do?”, Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation
• CDA (2004) Do No Harm Handbook, Collabortive Learning Projects, Ltd.
• Chambliss, D. F. & R. K. Schutt, (2010) Making Sense of the Social World: Methods of Investigation, Pine Forge Press
• Diamond, L., “Thinking about Hybrid Regimes”, Journal of Democracy (2002)
• Diehl, P. F. & D. Druckman (2010) Evaluating Peace Operations, Lynne Rienner Publishers
• Fisher, Roger & William Ury, (1999 or later), Getting to Yes: Negotiating an Agreement without Giving in, Random House Business Books
• Huntington, S., “Democracy’s Third Wave” excerpt from The Third Wave
• Hyden, G., “The Study of Politics in Africa”, excerpt from African Politics in Comparative Perspective
• Lindberg, S. (2006). “The Surprising Significance of African Elections”, Journal of Democracy
• MANGO, Management Accounting for Non-Governmental Organisations.
• McFaul, M., “The Fourth Wave of Democracy AND Dictatorship”, World Politics (2002)
• Moyer, Bill (1990) “Movement Action Plan (MAP): Strategic Theories for Evaluating, Planning, and Conducting Social Movements”, //The Practical Strategist//, San Francisco: Social Movement Empowerment Project.
• OXFAM (2011) A Place at the Table: Safeguarding women’s rights in Afghanistan.
• Posner, D. and Daniel J. Young (2007). “The Institutionalization of Political Power in Africa” Journal of Democracy
• Reychler, L. & T. Paffenholz, (red.) (2000) Peacebuilding: A Field Guide Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers
• Schmitter, P. and Terry Lynn Karl (1991). “What Democracy is…and is not”, Journal of Democracy
• Simmons, A. (2007) Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins: How to Use Your Own Stories to Communicate with Power and Impact, Amacom
• UNDP (2010) What Will It Take to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals? An international assessment.
• Van Tongeren, P., M. Brenk, M. Hellema & J. Verhoeven (red.) (2005) People Building Peace II: Successful Stories of Civil Society Lynne Rienner Publishers
• Woodrow, P. and D. Chigas, n.d., ’A Distinction with a Difference: Conflict Sensitivity and Peacebuilding’. Available on-line.
• Zakaria, F. (1997). “The Rise of Illiberal Democracy”, Foreign Affairs

A maximum of 500 pages of literature may be added.
A number of other references will be added in connection with individual conflict analyses.

Course evaluation

All students are offered an opportunity to give oral or written feedback at the end of the course. A summary of the results will be made available on the school’s web-pages. The students are also given a possibility to offer feedback for each module.