Saint Paul University offers an MA in Conflict Studies, which is conferred jointly by the senates of Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa. The focus of the program is on the ethnic and religious identity distinctions that characterize many deep-rooted conflicts. The program explores the meaning of and generates processes for reconciliation, healing, and structural change. It combines a social science orientation common to Conflict Studies programs with a philosophical, ethical and theological orientation. The field of specialization is ethnic and religious dimensions of conflict in Canada. |
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Program Objectives
Two levels of learning are distinguished:
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Admission to the program is competitive. Minimum requirements are:
Experience in the field of conflict resolution or a related area will also be taken into consideration. Candidates may be interviewed as part of the selection process.
If the minimum requirements for admission to the first year are not satisfied, a candidate may enroll in a qualifying program, the content of which is determined by the Coordinator of the program on a case by case basis. See details below.
In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, assignments, examinations, research papers and theses can be produced in either English or French.
Qualifying Program
Some additional documents, and in some cases specific forms, are required. For more information, please see the page Step 4: Gather the documents needed for the assessment of your application.
Students may prepare for a master's degree in one of two ways:
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:
Research (6 credits) (option with research paper)
Research (3 credits) (option with 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.
Critical evaluation of research findings in the human sciences. Qualitative and quantitative methods of gathering, validating, and interpreting evidence. Issues in research ethics. Applications in graduate research projects and theses.
Conflict resolution approaches and institutions created over time in different regions of the world. Traditional dispute resolution mechanisms. State and law. Democratic institutions. Third party involvement and promotion of peace.
Violence and trauma in the context of identity-based conflicts. Emotional, spiritual, physical and cognitive dimensions of the human person. Reconciliation, forgiveness and trauma healing.
Degeneration of conflicts into unforgettable and unforgivable atrocities. Causes, mechanisms, attitudes leading to extreme mass violence. Role of faith in healing memories. Case study of genocides in Germany, South Africa, Rwanda and among indigenous peoples in North and South America.
Influence of development and allocation of economic resources on political conflict, including ethnic and religious strife. Influence of globalization on the propensity of societies toward violence.
National and international policies and programs designed to eliminate the causes of violent conflict and prevent their re-emergence. Dialogue and reconciliation. Political and economic reforms. Local development and empowerment.
Theoretical and empirical aspects of strategies and processes of mediation and negotiation. Critical examination of contemporary approaches to mediation and negotiation. Cases of successful or unsuccessful negotiations. Roles, capacities and motivations of parties.
Basic conflict analysis design and methodologies in intervention strategies for dealing with identity-based conflict. Sequencing, timing and other contingencies due to emotional factors. Case presentations. Ethical questions related to planning of conflict resolution strategies.
Using psychological theories of the development of consciousness, this course explores how leaders can adapt to complex environments. An integral approach is used to develop a methodology to systematically reflect on practical challenges in order to refine intentions, strategies and actions.
The Comprehensive Approach, within international and domestic security environments, enables the student to better understand the capabilities and constraints of a variety of institutions within today’s operational environments.
Competencies are enhanced in achieving greater integration of effort among personnel and their organizations as more lasting solutions are generated to the complex challenges of international missions.
Both conflict and peacebuilding take place within complex adaptive systems with many variables. This course explores the characteristics of chaos, complexity and emerging creativity theories and how they assist in understanding the multi-dimensional dynamics of peacebuilding.
Cultural competency is needed to be effective within host communities. Students will learn to identify dynamics of tensions between religious, national, economic, and ideological components of conflicts; to analyze reasons for various kinds of exclusivist and intolerant attitudes and to integrate the religious component into peacebuilding, development initiatives, and whole-of-government programming.
The challenge of peacebuilding is situated in the context of historically driven, deep-rooted conflicts between identity- groups. Students will learn to use theoretical frameworks to analyze conflict and advance reconciliation. The dialectical relationship between peacebuilding and social and political reconciliation will be explored, emphasizing trust-building, structural change, symbolic conciliatory gestures, and socio-emotional transformation.
Approaches employed to analyze conflict and to build peace with social justice. Contemporary theories from political sciences, social psychology, and theology addressing conflict and social justice.
Implication of religious identities, traditions and actors in escalating, diverting or transforming deep-rooted conflicts in different societies. Comparative multi-religious framework. Sociology of religion and contextual theological hermeneutics.
Impact of conflict on spirituality and of spirituality on conflict. Part played in conflict by the spiritual life and convictions of those involved.
Multidisciplinary examination of cases of domination and marginalization. Social and cultural constructions of gender. Role of these constructs in structures of domination. Challenges met in transforming these structures.
Implication of indigenous identities in the emergence and transformation of conflicts. Ethnic and religious dimensions of indigenous cultural resurgence in Canada and other national contexts. Conflict reduction and pluralistic coexistence.
Hermeneutical and empirical methodologies used to analyze and evaluate conflict resolution strategies, conflict resolution projects and programs. Case study presentations.
Dialogue as exploration of hidden assumptions and the flow of ideas. Conflict as a rupture of dialogue within oneself or between people. Theoretical background and research to understand processes needed for a dialogue to achieve deeper levels of mutual understanding among participants.
Internship of 150 hours in Conflict analysis and/or resolution, involving advanced and sustained research and analysis work. The internship is supervised and the work evaluated by a professor member of the program.Graded S/NS. Prerequisites: Completion of 9 credits in the MA program with an average of at least B+. Approval of the internship proposal by the program director.
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
Fax: 613-782-3014
admission@ustpaul.ca
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223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1S 1C4
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613-236-1393
613-782-3005
info@ustpaul.ca