Conflict Studies (Honours Bachelor of Arts)

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

• Public Ethics (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Specialization)
• Human Relations and Spirituality (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Major)
• Social Communication (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Major)
• Social Communication (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Specialization)

A student enrolled in the Conflict Studies (Honours Bachelor of Arts with Specialization) program may add a complementary minor, according to the student’s particular interests and requirements.

• DUFORT Philippe, Adjunct Professor
• EATON Heather, Full Professor
• PANDIMAKIL Peter, Associate Professor
• PARENT Geneviève, Associate Professor
• RIOUX Jean-François, Associate Professor
• TESSIER Hélène, Full Professor

Applications: A step-by-step guide

STEP 1: Choose a program of study
STEP 2: Learn about admission requirements
STEP 3: Submit your application
STEP 4: Gather the documents needed for the assessment of your application
STEP 5: Assessment of your application
STEP 6: Accept your offer of admission
STEP 7: Choose your courses

STEP 1: CHOOSE A PROGRAM OF STUDY

Undergraduate programs:

• Certificates
• Bachelors
• Ecclesiastical Programs
• Other Programs
• College Credit Transfer

STEP 2: LEARN ABOUT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 

• Ontario applicants
• Quebec applicants
• Applicants from the Atlantic and Western provinces
• International applicants
• Applicants from other universities
• Mature applicants

Ontario applicants

From secondary school
Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least six 4U or 4M level courses, including one 4U level course in English or français.

From Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAAT)

• After one year of studies
  You are eligible if you have completed one year of a college program and have obtained the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with one language course (English or français) at the college or 4U level.
• After a two- or three-year program
  If you have completed a two- or three-year college program, you can obtain up to 30 credits of advanced standing (transfer credits).

Our transfer agreements
Saint Paul University has developed a number of transfer agreements with colleges, allowing applicants to receive up to 30 equivalency credits. Find out more by consulting the tab entitled College Credit Transfer.

Quebec applicants

From secondary school
Have a Secondary School Diploma with an average of 84%, including one course in English or français at the Secondary V level.

From Cégep
Have completed 12 courses of general studies (not including physical education and refresher courses), including English (603) or français (601). Applicants who have successfully completed 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 15 credits of advanced standing, and those who have successfully completed more than 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 30 credits of advanced standing.

Applicants from the Atlantic and Western provinces

Have a Secondary School Diploma, including one course in English or français at the Grade 12 level.

Applicants from other universities

Applications from other Canadian or international universities will be assessed based on the applicant’s previous secondary and post-secondary studies. University equivalency credits may be granted depending on the studies completed and the program into which the person is admitted.

International applicants

Have a diploma attesting to 12 years of education equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Persons who have completed a secondary diploma attesting to 13 years of education, such as the Baccalauréat de l’enseignement secondaire français, can receive up to 30 credits of advanced standing. 

Mature applicants

When the applicant’s academic record does not meet normal conditions for admission, it is possible to apply as a mature applicant, provided that the person has not been enrolled in full-time studies for at least two consecutive years. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have experience that can be considered sufficient preparation for pursuing undergraduate studies.

STEP 3: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

 

You have two options

 

OPTION 1

If you are applying for admission to an undergraduate program at more than one Ontario university, including Saint Paul University:

• Complete the application form available at the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Because Saint Paul University is federated with the University of Ottawa, you will find programs offered by Saint Paul University listed under the University of Ottawa.

OPTION 2

If you are applying for an undergraduate program at Saint Paul University only, or if you are applying for a master’s or doctoral program:

• Complete the following form.

 

 

STEP 4: GATHER THE 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.

 

STEP 5: 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.

 

STEP 6: 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 the following address admission@ustpaul.ca or mail it to:

Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions and Student Services
223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA

 

STEP 7: 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.

Foundational Courses (24 credits)

Compulsory Courses: 21 credits

• HTP1101 Trends in Western Thought
• HTP1102 Artistic and Literary Imagination: Expressions of the Human Experience
• HTP1103 People, Politics and the Planet
• HTP1104 Faith, Justice and the Common Good
• ISC2309 English Composition
• ISC2314 Public Speaking
• PHI2181 Human Knowledge

Optional Courses: 3 credits from

• MIS2103 World Religions
• THO1306 Exploring the Sacred
• THO1307 Understanding the Bible

Discipline Specific Courses (60 credits)

Compulsory Course: 42 credits

• ECS2103 Negotiation
• ECS2104 Mediation
• ECS2111 Research Methods in Conflict Studies I
• ECS2112 Research Methods in Conflict Studies II
• ECS2191 Introduction to Conflict Studies
• ECS2192 Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice
• ECS2321 Listening and Interaction in Conflict Resolution
• ECS3125 Peaceful Resolution of Violent Conflict
• ECS3140 Gender Relations and Conflict
• ECS4101 Causes of Conflict I: Biological and Psychological Approaches
• ECS4102 Causes of Conflict II: Sociological and Rationalist Approaches
• POL1101 Introduction to Political Science (UO)
• PSY1101 Introduction to Psychology: Foundations (UO) or IPA 1121 Human Behavior and Spirituality: Theoretical Foundations
• PSY1102 Introduction to Psychology: Applications (UO) or IPA 1122 Human Behavior and Spirituality: Empirical Observations

Optional Courses: 18 credits

3 credits from:

• POL2101 Introduction to Canadian Politics (UO)
• POL2103 Introduction to International Relations and Global Politics (UO)

3 credits from:

• ECS2124 Local and Community Responses to Conflict
• ECS2126 Indigenous Peoples and Conflict
• ECS2928 Language and Conflict in Canada / Conflits linguistiques au Canada
• ECS2999 Neutral Third Party/ Tierce partie neutre
• PHI2111 History of Ethics
• THO2315 Ethics and the Human Person

12 credits from:

• ECS3101 Introduction to Technical and Legal Aspects of Conflict Resolution
• ECS3110 Credited Internship
• ECS3123 Psychological Impacts of Conflicts
• ECS3124 Conflict in Organizations
• ECS3130 Special Topics in Conflict Studies
• ECS3323 Dialogue
• ECS4130 Advanced Topics in Conflict Studies
• ECS4999 Advanced Internship in Conflict Resolution
• ECH3310 Human Rights and Conflict Studies: Compared perspectives (UO)
• ECH3320 War and Security: Historical Perspectives (UO)
• ECH3340 Social Inequalities, International Agreements and Social Movements (UO)
• ECH4320 Conflict Resolution and Peace Building (UO)

Elective Courses (36 credits)

 

• Students choose 36 credits or complete a minor and 6 credits to complete their bachelor program.
• 12 credits 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 2321 - Listening and Interaction in Conflict Resolution

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.

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 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 1101 - Trends in Western Thought

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.

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 1104 - Faith, Justice and the Common Good

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.

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.

ISC 2309 - English Composition

This course is dedicated to the improvement of writing skills in order to become an effective communicator in several contexts.

ISC 2314 - Public Speaking

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.

PHI 2111 - History of Western Ethics

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.

PHI 2181 - Human Knowledge

Study of the traditional, universalist, approach to knowledge as well as contemporary standpoint approaches, such as feminist and postmodernist.

THO 1306 - Exploring the Sacred

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.

THO 1307 - What is the Bible?

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.

THO 2315 - Being Human

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.

THO 2410 - World Religions

Introduction to the world religions with an emphasis on Christian faith in interaction with other living faiths.

Courses offered by the University of Ottawa:

ECH 3310 - Human Rights and Conflict Studies : Compared Perspectives (UO)

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.

ECH 3320 - War and Security : Historical Perspectives (UO)

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.

ECH 3340 - Social Inequalities, International Agreements and Social Movements (UO)

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.

ECH 4320 - Conflict Resolution and Peace Building (UO)

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.

POL 1101 - Introduction to Political Science (UO)

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).

POL 2101 - Introduction to Canadian Politics (UO)

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)

POL 2103 - Introduction to International Relations and Global Politics (UO)

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)

PSY 1101 - Introduction to Psychology: Foundations (UO)

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.

PSY 1102 - Introduction to Psychology: Applications (UO)

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.

Contact Us

Office of Admissions, Registrar and Student Services
Room 148
Saint Paul University
223 Main Street
Ottawa, ON
K1S 1C4
CANADA

Notice to gmail address holders, be sure to check your junk mailbox regularly, as due to your server's firewalls our email response to your application may end up there.

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

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday	8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
	1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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