Conflict Studies
Download the program description (PDF)Students may prepare for a master's degree in one of two ways:
- The successful completion of 27 credits at the graduate level and the preparation and effective defence of a thesis (ECS 6999) before a board of at least two examiners, members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and presided over by a chair appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies of the Faculty of Human sciences. The master's thesis should be approximately 100 pages and not exceed 150 pages in length.
- The successful completion of 36 credits at the graduate level including a research paper submitted at the end of the Research Seminar (ECS 6140). The research paper should be about 50 pages in length.
For admission to the thesis option, a student admitted to the MA in Conflict Studies program must first obtain 9 credits (through courses or through advanced standing), and then apply to the Admissions Committee for permission to enroll in the thesis option. To do so, the student must find a suitable supervisor and submit a detailed topic and plan of research. The Committee will examine the application and inform the student of its decision.
If a student chooses the thesis option and the thesis uses a quantitative methodology, a course in quantitative methodology is required. If the thesis uses a qualitative methodology, one of the following is required: a course in qualitative methodology, participant observation, content analysis, evaluation research or an honours thesis in the area of qualitative methodology.
Duration of the Program
Students are expected to complete all requirements within two years. The thesis must be submitted within four years of the date of initial registration in the program.
Minimum Standards
The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits) must withdraw from the program.
Compulsory Courses (21 credits)
All students must take the following seven courses:
- ECS5101 IDENTITY-BASED CONFLICT (3cr.)
- ECS5110 HISTORY OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION (3cr.)
- ECS5302 APPROACHES TO CONFLICT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (3cr.)
- ECS5304 ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF CONFLICT (3cr.)
- ECS5311 RELIGIOUS IDENTITIES AND CONFLICT (3cr.)
- ECS5131 CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ANALYSIS AND DESIGN (3cr.)
- ECS5330 CONFLICT RESOLUTION: RESULTS ASSESSMENT (3cr.)
Research (6 credits) (option with research paper)
- ECS5103 RESEARCH METHODS (3cr.)
- ECS6140 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3cr.)
Research (3 credits) (option with thesis)
- ECS5103 RESEARCH METHODS (3cr.)
- ECS6999 THÈSE DE M.A. / MA THESIS
Elective Courses (9 credits)
Students select three courses (one if the thesis option is chosen) from the list of electives. A maximum of two graduate courses (6 credits) may be taken from other faculties and universities with prior authorization from the Director of the program.