Program description Conflict Studies examines the sources and dynamics of conflicts and conflict resolution. We analyse the political, religious, social, and psychological aspects of conflicts, at the local, national, and international levels. Specific courses look at identity, memory, and trauma. We study violent, non violent, humanitarian, and diplomatic responses to conflicts, as well as reconciliation and peace building. |
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Offered by the Faculty of Human Sciences, a formation in Conflict Studies provides students with a multidisciplinary approach that includes elements of political science, social psychology, and ethics. Graduates of Conflict Studies also acquire some skills useful for managing and resolving conflicts. In addition to the foundational courses,* the program encourages reflection on the relationship between violence, social justice, conflict resolution and peace building through courses in psychology, ethics and politics. Students are also given an opportunity to explore specific subjects in greater depth. *The foundational courses are a compulsory part of every bachelor’s degree program offered at Saint Paul University. What you’ll learn During your studies you will learn to identify and describe the main types of conflicts and their characteristics at the local, national and international level, and to select and use the most suitable methodologies to analyze various conflicts. Using case studies, observation and simulations, you will learn to identify the methods that help to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts. Why choose Saint Paul University?
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The list of required courses is presented under the Program Requirements tab.
Procedures relevant to program admission
Eligible candidates from Algonquin College who wish to avail themselves of this agreement must adhere to the following procedure:
Saint Paul University reserves the right to refuse this agreement to a candidate who obtained his or her diploma for the studies program at Algonquin more than three years before submitting his or her request for admission.
Offer of admission
You must complete this form:
Note: If you anticipate sending applications for admission to more than one university, we recommend that you complete de Application for admission form of the Ontario Universities’ Admission Centre (OUAC).
DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION |
In order for us to assess your application, you must submit official transcripts for all of your previous studies (secondary, college and university). These transcripts must be sent directly from your academic institution to the following address:
Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA
However, to expedite the assessment process for your application, you can scan your documents and e-mail them to the Office of Admissions at admission@ustpaul.ca and then send your official documents through the mail.
ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION |
Once the Office of Admissions receives all the required documents, it will begin to assess your application. One of the following decisions will be sent to you at the email address you gave us, as well as to your postal address.
Possible decisions
ACCEPT YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSION |
To accept an offer of admission and a scholarship offer, if applicable, you must sign the form entitled Admission acceptance form that accompanies your offer of admission and send it to Saint Paul University by email, before the deadline, to admission@ustpaul.ca or mail it to:
Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA
CHOOSE YOUR COURSES |
With your offer of admission, you will receive all the information you will need to choose your courses. You will also receive the contact information for our academic advisors; you can meet with them one on one or during information sessions for guidance and to help you finalize your course selection.
Fondational Courses (18 credits)
Compulsory Courses (15 credits)
Optional Courses (3 credits)
3 credits from
Discipline Specific Courses (48 credits)
Compulsory Courses (39 credits)
Optional Courses (9 credits)
3 credits from
6 credits from
Elective courses (24 credits)
Study of how and why societies throughout the world differ in their levels and forms of conflict and methods of settling disputes.
Prerequisite: ECH2310 or SOC2151 or POL2103 or CRM2301 or PSY2110.
Historical perspective, with conceptual tools from other disciplines used when appropriate. Theoretical explanations, militarism, the international system, internal order, and the search for peace will be among the topics.
Prerequisite: ECH 2310 or SOC2151 or POL2103 or CRM2301 or PSY2110. Previously ECS3320.
Analysis of social inequality within the global community. Role of international agreements in managing and reducing inequalities, especially those based on race, gender, social class and the level of economic development. Presentation of the impact of social movements. Critical analysis of international agreements.
Prerequisite: ECH2310 or SOC2151 or POL2103 or CRM2301 or PSY2110. Previously ECS3340.
International conflict resolution is a field of practice and of theoretical study. Through case studies, identification of the various possibilities available to the decision-makers in the process of peace building and conflict resolution.
Prerequisites: ECH2310 or SOC2151 or POL2103 or CRM2301 or PSY2110 and 54 university credits. Previously ECS4320.
Concepts and foundations. Difference between mediation and negotiation. Case Studies. Ethical considerations. Role playing and practical exercises. Specificities of negotiation among ethnic and religious groups. A minimum of ten laboratory hours will be required in this course.
Prerequisite or concomitant: ECS2321.
Concepts and foundations. Objectives of mediation, importance of third parties. Mediation and post-modernity. Ethical considerations. Role playing and practical exercises. Specificities of mediation among ethnic and religious groups. A minimum of ten laboratory hours will be required in this course.
Prerequisite: ECS2103.
Introduction to the philosophy of science. Research Ethics. Development of research projects: questions, hypotheses, variables, data and analysis. Textual and qualitative research methods: bibliographic research, historical research, interviews, case studies, and observation. Problems related to the study of ethnic and religious conflicts.
Prerequisite or concomitant: ECS 2191.
Preparation of comparative and quantitative research projects. Use of data sets, surveys and polls. Statistical analysis: correlation, regression analysis, trends, statistical inference. Examples taken from the study of ethnic and religious conflicts.
Prerequisite or concomitant: ECS 2191.
Conflict is always experienced at a community level, whether its source is local or international. This course identifies and examines the many different ways in which local or community level actors respond to the causes and effects of violent and non-violent conflict in their midst.
A review of conflict and peaceful coexistence between indigenous peoples and settler societies around the world, including the examination of (1) differences among the world’s indigenous peoples in their cultures, political economic situations, and in their relationships with colonizing settler societies and (2) efforts to transcend “contemporary colonialism” and “post-modern imperialism” to establish indigenously defined cultural, social, and political orders.
A multidisciplinary introduction to research in the evolving field of peace and conflict studies, with emphasis on ethnic and religious conflict. Cases are drawn from local to global levels. Includes anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, political science, law, labour relations, theology, philosophy, gender studies and security studies.
This course consists of two components: (1) the examination of the variable linkages between inequality (economic, social, political), injustice, and violent conflict; and (2) the examination of efforts to create environments characterized by equality, equity, justice and peace.
Theory and practice of the listening skills crucial for participating in conflict resolution processes. Development of synthesis, reframing, and appropriate responses to difficult situations. Attention to non verbal communication, emotions, and communication styles. Exploration of some of cultural differences in communication. A minimum of ten laboratory hours will be required in this course.
Overview of relations between English- and French-speaking groups in Canada with emphasis on their identity components. Review of efforts undertaken at various levels to address tensions related to language differences. Dialogue and elaboration of proposals for improving linguistic relations.
Bilingual course. Students are expected to work in both official languages.
Prerequisite: ECS2321.
Intensive training including simulations in which the participants play in turn the roles of conciliator, mediator and facilitator. The mark S or NS will be attributed following the handing in of a training report.
Introduction to some concepts pertaining to the analysis and resolution of conflict: judicial norms, contracts, binding character of judicial decisions, judicial organization and structures, formal processes of mediation and negotiation. The course also includes consideration of some aspects of international law, as well as principles of conflict management in key fields areas such as labour, social services, etc.
Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192.
Internship in a reputed institution for a minimum of 150 working hours. Graded S/NS.
Prerequisites: 24 ECS credits and a cumulative grade point average of B+.
A multidisciplinary examination of trauma: Disruption of responsive mechanisms. Decision making in crises. Contributing factors affecting the impact of trauma. Conflict and psychological transformation.
Prerequisites: PSY1101 and PSY1102 or IPA1121 and IPA1122.
Introduction to the resolution of conflicts related to labour relations and policy differences in large organizations, especially in the public sector, with emphasis on ethnic and religious conflict. Roles of employers, workers, unions, third parties, mediation mechanisms, arbitration, and administrative tribunals.
Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192.
This course compares and contrasts different approaches to the pacific resolution of violent conflict, such as peace building, peacemaking, and peace operations. Contribution of religions to peace building. An effort is made to understand when, why, and how such approaches are effective or ineffective for managing and resolving conflicts.
Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192.
Prerequisites: ECS2191, ECS2192.
Social and philosophical theories of gender. Feminist theories of discrimination and power relations as they apply in conflict situations. Ethnic and religious factors in gender-related conflict issues. Constructive responses and social movements.
Prerequisites: ECS 2191 and ECS 2192. This course was previously ECS2125.
Examination of dialogue as a means of exploring hidden beliefs and the exchange of ideas between participants. Practical exercises that explore the use of dialogue as a means of resolving and transforming conflicts. Training in the use of structured dialogue in professional activities. Specificities of dialogue among ethnic and religious groups.
Prerequisite: ECS2321.
Examination of the many possible causes of conflict and violence such as aggression, instinct, character traits, learned behaviours, socialization, personality disorders, group influences, mob behaviour, and perceptual issues.
Prerequisites: ECS 2111, ECS 2112, ECS 2192, PSY 1101 or IPA1121, PSY 1102 or IPA1122.
Examination of the many factors affecting conflict and violence including social classes, unequal resource distribution, culture, religion, institutions, decision making. Introduction to game theory in conflict studies.
Prerequisites: ECS 2111, ECS 2112, ECS 2192, ECS2201.
In depth study of particular topics related to conflict studies.
Prerequisites: 51 university credits. Reserved for students registered in Conflict Studies.
Internship in a reputed institution for a minimum of 150 working hours in conflict prevention, management or resolution. Graded S/NS.
Prerequisite: 24 ECS credits and a cumulative grade point average of B+.
This course addresses multiple aspects of the evolution of western thought, from Antiquity to current times, and the impact of major events and thinkers, and the influence of other civilizations on the contemporary understanding of human nature, culture and society.
Introduction to theoretical approaches in the Humanities and to the methods that are applied to interpret the multiple expressions of human experience, particularly those expressed in important works of art and literature.
Social and ecological challenges facing humanity today, and related issues of social justice. These questions will be examined from a perspective of community building and efforts towards ecological and social transformations for a hopeful future.
This course investigates faith, justice and the common good from religious, philosophical and human science perspectives. The course draws on classic and contemporary resources, in particular those from the Christian intellectual traditions.
Purpose and method of psychology. Historical perspective. Bases of the nervous system, consciousness. Sensory processes, perception, cognition, memory, language and thought. Emotions and motivation. Learning process. Introduction to fundamental theoretical psychology of religion.
This course cannot be combined for credit with PSY1101.
Heredity, environment and human development. Intelligence. Personality. Mental health, abnormal behavior and therapeutic approaches. Social psychology. Introduction to empirical research in contemporary psychology of religion.
This course cannot be combined for credit with PSY1102.
This course is dedicated to the improvement of writing skills in order to become an effective communicator in several contexts.
Learning the techniques of efficient public speaking. Introduction and training to personal impression making in electronic media. Development of a professional attitude and self-confidence.
When offered, this course would take one of the following three forms: I. Ancient and Medieval Ethics: Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman Ethics. Selection from Plato’s Dialogues, and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Selection from the Epicureans, Stoics, Neoplatonists, and Aquinas. II. Early Modern Ethics: Renaissance Humanists, Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, and Hume. III. Post-Kantian Ethics. Selections from Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, J.S. Mill, T.H. Green. Selections from Moore, the positivists and post-modernists. Western ethics may be compared and contrasted to selected non-Western traditions.
Study of the traditional, universalist, approach to knowledge as well as contemporary standpoint approaches, such as feminist and postmodernist.
Comparative study of the ideas, concepts and issues leading to an understanding of political phenomena and of their impact on the lives of individuals and societies. Reflection on power, citizenship and political participation. Introduction to research tasks (e.g. bibliographic research, writing a research or reading report).
Foundations of the Canadian political space. Constitution, parliamentary government, federalism. Political parties and elections. Overview of political forces (classes, groups, movements). (CAN)
Prerequisite: POL1101 or 18 university credits. (Previously POL2201)
Study of international relations and the dynamics within global order with an emphasis on key concepts, theories and analytic frameworks. Analysis of contemporary issues and their impact on globalization and inter-state relations. (INT)
Prerequisite: POL1101 or 18 university credits. (Previously POL2203)
Object and method of psychology. Heredity, environment, human development. Nervous system, consciousness. Sensory processes, perception, cognition, memory, language, and thought. Learning.
Previously: PSY1200. This course cannot be combined for credit with IPA1121.
Emotions, motivation. Personality. Mental health, abnormal behaviour and therapeutic approaches. Social psychology. Historical perspective.
Previously: PSY 1200. This course cannot be combined for credit with IPA1122.
The human effort to express the experience of the sacred and to name our sense of the “Beyond”. The different forms such expressions have taken: cosmic wonder and its symbols, foundations stories, ritual life. The meaning of this effort for understanding the quest of the human spirit and its attempts to build order in society and community.
The Bible: book or library, history or story? History of the Jewish people and of the culture in which the Bible was written. The Bible and its content. Interpreting the text. The Jesus event. The influence of the Bible on history and on contemporary culture.
What is ethics? Introduction to the key ethical ideas that shape our lives. Ethical riches of the Christian tradition to understand ourselves and our responsibilities to other persons.
Introduction to the world religions with an emphasis on Christian faith in interaction with other living faiths.
Contact Us
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Room 148
Saint Paul University
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Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA
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223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1S 1C4
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