MAS in Peace and Conflict Transformation

Content

The complex global problems and the numerous international and interpersonal conflicts represent great challenges at the personal, social and international level. There is a growing demand for professionals with knowledge and skills in nonviolent and creative conflict transformation, who can serve in private and public institutions.
This transdisciplinary Master of Advanced Studies Program is concerned with the various forms and conditions of peace and its obstacles. Peace means the absence of war, and much more. One can distinguish between direct, structural and cultural violence. Direct violence means hurting and killing; structural violence is the slow death from hunger and preventable or curable diseases caused by extreme inequality and political oppression; and cultural violence consists of the justification of direct and structural violence in education, the media, literature and art, in the form of nationalism, racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination and prejudice. Peace means the absence of those three forms of violence and includes measures to alleviate and heal past violence and prevent future violence.
This program explores all of these aspects of peace. Its objective is to enable the participants to play an active role in peaceful conflict transformation and in creating a culture of peace. In addition to conveying theoretical knowledge and practical skills for peace work, our program emphasizes also the personal development of the participants. They learn to analyze conflicts, to make prognoses, and to design and implement creative solutions. They learn to detect growing tensions early and know methods to deescalate conflicts and prevent violence. They learn how to mediate between conflict parties and how to encourage conciliation after violence. They learn how to promote peace and development through education and action, and how to facilitate intercultural understanding and cooperation.

Course Structure/Form

The educational concept combines interdisciplinary peace research with the teaching of constructive conflict transformation, the practical experience of multicultural coexistence and the development of personal competencies for peace. The study is divided into 10 modules, addressing the following topics:
Introduction to the Methodology of Peace Research, Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding, Regional Conflicts and Field Work, International Relations and International Law, From National to Human Security, Peace Education and Ethics, Human Rights, Gender and Democratization, Sustainable Development and its Contributions to Peace, Peace Culture: Religions and the Media, Development of Key Competencies for Peace Workers.
During the nine-month full time study period, the students will learn and work together, building a multi-cultural community. Such a unique learning situation will enable the participants to train in everyday situations what needs to be realized on a global scale: mutual understanding, tolerance, cooperation and the willingness to learn from each other.
The total workload comprises 2100 hours, equivalent to 70 credits according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). It includes lectures, seminars, exercises, group activities, excursions, self-study, library research and writing papers. Students write an MAS-thesis on a relevant topic of their choice, under the guidance of a faculty member. After successfully completing the course, the participants are awarded the degree of Master of Advanced Studies in Peace and Conflict Transformation, accredited by the University of Basel.

Target audience/Terms of Admission

Students from all over the world, from any discipline interested in peace and conflict resolution, including young diplomats, government officials, NGO members, teachers, journalists, lawyers, social workers, officers, psychologists, artists, and anyone interested in solving conflicts by peaceful means. A first university degree (bachelor or equivalent) is required or equivalent professional experience. Scholarships will be sought to invite participants from crisis and conflict areas.

Faculty

Professors and experts from the University of Basel, and from institutions on every continent. We invite the best specialists in their field from around the world, including Johan Galtung, founder of the academic discipline of peace studies.

Directors of Studies

Prof. Dr. Ueli Mäder
Institute for Sociology, University of Basel
Prof. Dr. Dietrich Fischer
World Peace Academy and Transcend Peace University
Catherine Brunner Dubey
MA in Peace and Conflict Studies,
World Peace Academy

Course Fees

CHF 15 000 (incl. thesis supervision)

Rooms (ca. CHF 500/month) and meals are extra.

Applications for 2013: CHF 18 000.

Time Schedule

5 March to 30 November 2012

Students can also begin on 11 June or 10 September 2012, with a three month gap from the end of November to the beginning of March.

4 March to 29 November in 2013

Students can also begin on 10 June or 9 September 2013, with a three month gap from the end of November to the beginning of March.

Location

The World Peace Academy Study Center with classrooms and offices is located at Güterstrasse 187, CH-4053 Basel, Switzerland. Rooms for students are available in the Student House, located on 5 minutes walking distance from the Study Centre.

Registration deadline

Rolling admission (qualified applicants are admitted continuously as long as space remains). Those who require a visa should apply at least 3 months in advance, to allow sufficient time for their visa applications to be processed.

Host

Institute for Sociology, University of Basel, in cooperation with the World Peace Academy.