Revised 8/2008

PLS 255 - Introduction to Peace and Stability Operations (3 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces the concept of coordinated public, private, international, and non-profit sector responses to conflict, post-conflict and natural disaster international humanitarian emergencies with the objective of returning states and regions to peace and stability. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

This course will introduce students to contemporary international conflict, all the actors involved in its collaborative resolution, and a return of states and regions to peace and stability through non-violent peace building. The student will be introduced to the use of non-profit humanitarian, conflict resolution, and development organizations, inter-governmental and regional organizations (e.g., UN, African Union, and the European Union), neutral and non-biased military peacekeeping, private and public sector development, and security structures in the prevention and resolution of international conflict. Root causes of international ethnic, religious and cultural conflict will be identified and explored for understanding and prevention. Case studies, specific sector examples, and organizations are identified and explored regarding purpose, action, and interaction. Students will explore specific missions of international conflict and the sectors deployed in their resolution, and are primarily graded on their ability to recognize the interaction of the sectors toward conflict prevention and resolution in a new global structure.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Ability to use English language correctly and effectively as reflected in satisfactory scores on appropriate English proficiency examination.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Recognize and evaluate the interaction of public, private, non-profit and international institutions in international conflict.
  • Critically analyze the nature of contemporary international conflict and how it is being resolved.
  • Identify and analyze primary actors in the public, private, international, and non-profit sectors addressing contemporary international conflict, and what functions they perform.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Structure of contemporary international conflict
  • Institutions of contemporary international conflict resolution
  • Sector collaboration in contemporary international conflict resolution
  • International development
  • Peace Building
  • Humanitarian Relief
  • Peacekeeping
  • United Nations
  • Regional Bodies
  • Ethnic and Religious Conflict
  • Post-conflict security
  • Natural Disaster Response