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Honours Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Studies for Algonquin College Police Foundations Graduates

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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.

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?

  • For its small class sizes and close student-teacher ratio
  • For its safe, secure and friendly campus with personalized services
  • For its bilingual setting in the heart of the national capital
  • For its diverse student population and international vision
  • For its solid reputation, experience, history and Catholic tradition

Career opportunities

  • Aid worker
  • Complaints and grievances officer
  • Conflict resolution officer
  • Emergency response officer
  • Human resources officer
  • Human rights officer
  • Immigration officer
  • International conflicts analyst
  • International policy analyst
  • International relations specialist
  • Labour policies analyst
  • Mediator
  • Ministerial assistant
  • Peace building officer
  • Policy research officer
  • Regional development analyst
  • Social services officer
  • Union manager
  • Visa officer

Click here to find out more about Admission Scholarships at Saint Paul University.

Other programs that may interest you

The list of required courses is presented under the Program Requirements tab.

A student enrolled in this Honours Bachelor’s with Specialization Program can add a complementary minor.

Procedures relevant to program admission

Eligible candidates from Algonquin College who wish to avail themselves of this agreement must adhere to the following procedure:

  • The admission form for Saint Paul University or the Ontario Universities’ Admission Centre (OUAC) must be used to draw up your request;
  • The Admission request must be received no later than April 30 and an academic transcript showing evidence that the studies program diploma for Algonquin College has been received;
  • If the academic transcript is incomplete, admission will be conditional to the presentation of a final academic transcript showing that the diploma has been received for the studies program at Algonquin College;
  • Administrative fees related to the admission request are applicable.

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:

Apply Now

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).

Apply through 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

  • Offer of admission
    The Office of Admissions will send you an offer of admission (unconditional).  
  • Conditional offer of admission 
    The Office of Admissions will make you a conditional offer of admission, with specific conditions that you must meet by a certain deadline. You can still proceed to registration (course selection).
  • Deferred decision
    The Office of Admissions can inform you that some information is missing and therefore the University is unable to make a decision regarding your eligibility. If applicable, the Office will tell you which documents to send and by what date.
  • Refusal
    The Office of Admissions will inform you of the reasons for the refusal.

 

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.

Discipline Specific Courses (54 units)

Compulsory Courses (39 units)

  • ECS 2103 Negotiation

  • ECS 2104 Mediation
  • ECS 2111 Research Methods in Conflict Studies I
  • ECS 2112 Research Methods in Conflict Studies II
  • ECS 2191 Introduction to Conflict Studies
  • ECS 2192 Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice
  • ECS 2201 Political Conflicts and their Resolution
  • ECS 3125 Peaceful Resolution of Violent Conflict
  • ECS 3140 Gender, Relations and Conflict
  • ECS 4101 Causes of Conflict I: Biological and Psychological Approaches
  • ECS 4102 Causes of Conflict II: Sociological and Rationalist Approaches
  • IPA 1121 Human Behaviour and Spirituality: Theoretical Foundations
  • IPA 1122 Human Behaviour and Spirituality: Empirical observations

Optional Courses (15 units)

6 units from:

  • ECS 2124 Local and Community Responses to Conflict

  • ECS 2126 Indigenous Peoples and Conflict
  • ECS 2202 Causes and Dynamics of International Conflicts
  • ECS 2928 Language and Conflict in Canada
  • ECS 2999 Neutral Third Party

9 units from:

  • ECS 3101 Introduction to Technical and Legal Aspects of Conflict Resolution

  • ECS 3123 Psychological Impacts of Conflict
  • ECS 3124 Conflict in Organizations
  • ECS 3127 Group Processes and Conflicts
  • ECS 3128 Consultation and Coaching in Conflicts
  • ECS 3130 Special Topics in Conflict Studies
  • ECS 3323 Dialogue
  • ECS 4130 Advanced Topics in Conflict Studies
  • ECS 4999 Advanced Internship in Conflict Resolution

Elective courses (6 units which must be of 3000 or 4000 level)

ECS 2103 - Negotiation

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.

ECS 2104 - Mediation

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.

ECS 2111 - Research Methods in Conflict Studies I

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.

ECS 2112 - Research Methods in Conflict Studies II

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.

ECS 2124 - Local and Community Responses to Conflict

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.

ECS 2126 - Indigenous Peoples and Conflict

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.

ECS 2191 - Introduction to Conflict Studies

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.

ECS 2192 - Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice

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.

ECS 2201 - Political Conflicts and their Resolution

Explorations of the political sources of conflict, including power and ideologies. Respective roles of the state, public institutions, parties, and interest groups in conflicts. Management and resolution of conflicts in different political regimes.

ECS 2202 - Causes and Dynamics of International Conflicts

Broad review of many international conflicts, their causes, and the factors that may contribute to their escalation. Roles of diverse international actors in the aggravation or the resolution of conflicts. Analysis of violent conflicts. Ethical and moral questions related to the use of violence.

Prerequisite: ECS2201.

ECS 2928 - Language and Conflict in Canada

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.

ECS 2928 - Language and Conflict in Canada

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.

ECS 2999 - Neutral Third Party

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.

ECS 3101 - Introduction to Technical and Legal Aspects of Conflict Resolution

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.

ECS 3110 - Internship I

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+.

ECS 3123 - Psychological Impacts of Conflicts

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.

ECS 3124 - Conflict in Organizations

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.

ECS 3125 - Peaceful Resolution of Violent Conflict

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.

ECS 3127 - Group Processes and Conflicts

Introduction to the intervention toward groups in order to manage and resolve conflicts. Study of group dynamics and underlying behaviours. Review of different approaches to group processes. Exploration of the requirements and abilities for the leadership and facilitation of groups. Case studies. Practical in-class exercises.

Prerequisites : ECS2103, ECS2104.

ECS 3128 - Consultation and Coaching in Conflicts

Initiation to personal support to people involved in conflicts. Presentation of various models of personal and group coaching. Development of some basic abilities in this kind of intervention (including self-awareness, emotional intelligence, active and empathic listening, communication, overcoming resistance, etc.) through simulations and exercises.

Prerequisites: ECS2103, ECS2104.

ECS 3130 - Special Topics in Conflict Studies

Prerequisites: ECS2191, ECS2192.

ECS 3140 - Gender Relations and Conflict

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.

ECS 3323 - Dialogue

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.

ECS 4101 - Causes of Conflict I: Biological and Psychological Approaches

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.

ECS 4102 - Causes of Conflict II: Sociological and Rationalist Approaches

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.

ECS 4130 - Advanced Topics in Conflict Studies

In depth study of particular topics related to conflict studies.

Prerequisites: 51 university credits. Reserved for students registered in Conflict Studies.

ECS 4999 - Advanced Internship in Conflict Resolution

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+.

HTP 1102 - Approaches in the Humanities: Interpreting the Human Experience

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.

HTP 1103 - People, Social Justice and Ecology

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.

HTP 1105 - Critical Analysis, Reading and Writing Academic Works

Development of abilities to read critically and understand academic works. Focus on formal writing skills: techniques of clear expression and construction of texts, argument development and organization. This course also includes a library laboratory component with focus on research skills, citations, and academic integrity.

HTP 1106 - The First Peoples in Canada

Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on the First Peoples in Canada, cultural diversity, traditional practices and beliefs, relationship with the environment, changing roles and structures influenced by colonization. Contemporary issues faced by First Nations, Métis and Inuit, including cultural genocide and trauma.

IPA 1121 - Human Behavior and Spirituality: Theoretical Foundations

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.

IPA 1122 - Human Behavior and Spirituality: Empirical Observations

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.

Contact Us

Office of the Associate Vice-Rector, Strategic Enrolment Management
Room 148
Saint Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA

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Telephone: 613-236-1393 ext. 8990
Fax: 613-782-3014
admission@ustpaul.ca

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Please leave your documents in the mailbox in front of room 148 when our offices are closed.





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