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Honours B.A. with Major in Conflict Studies

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Program description

The B.A. in Conflict Studies is designed to prepare you to analyze and manage various disputes in a professional manner by demonstrating both objectivity and empathy. No matter what the conflict situation, whether it is local, national or international, you will be equipped to resolve disputes.

In order to do so, you will examine the origins and dynamics that underlie conflicts while taking into consideration their political, psychological and social dimensions. With the help of case studies, practical exercises and lectures, you will deepen and apply methods that serve to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts. You will learn how to use various active listening techniques and several negotiation and mediation tools. To do this, you will explore a wide range of non-violent, humanitarian and diplomatic solutions to conflicts, as well as actions that promote peace, social justice and reconciliation.

By the end of the program, you will know how act as a neutral third-party while being able to propose conflict resolution strategies and comprehensive response plans.

Who should apply?

Anyone who wants to reflect on the political, psychological and social aspects that are often at the root of conflict. Also, anyone who is interested in human rights and international affairs and wants to participate actively in the resolution of any type of conflict.  

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution is an organization with a practical orientation run by the School of Conflict Studies. It offers students the opportunity to enhance their practical training in the informal, inclusive and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Related careers

  • Conflict management and resolution facilitator in a large organization;
  • International programs officer in an organization focused on international development, humanitarian aid or peace-building;
  • Labour relations advisor in a state institution, union or association;
  • Conflict and conflict resolution analyst for a public or non-governmental organization;
  • Local or community conflict resolution organizer.

Admission details

Enrollment: full-time or part-time
Program length: 8 terms or 4 years (full-time).
Program delivery: some courses are also offered online
Languages: this program is offered in English and in French.

For more details, please click here.

Scholarship possibilities

Students registered in this program may be eligible for a number of scholarships. For more information, please click here.

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

 

This diploma is conferred jointly with the University of Ottawa.

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:

STEP 2: LEARN ABOUT ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 



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 units of advanced standing (transfer units).

Our transfer agreements
Saint Paul University has developed a number of transfer agreements with colleges, allowing applicants to receive upwards of 30 units in equivalencies. Find out more by consulting our articulation agreements page.

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 units of advanced standing, and those who have successfully completed more than 12 courses of general studies may obtain up to 30 units 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 units 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 units 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:

 

Apply through 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.

 Apply Now

 

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 (12 units)

Compulsory Courses: 12 units

HTP1102 Approaches in the Humanities: Interpreting the Human Experience
HTP1103 People, Social Justice and Ecology
HTP1105 Critical Analysis, Reading and Writing Academic Works
HTP1106 The First Peoples of Canada

Discipline Specific Courses (42 units)

Compulsory Course: 30 units

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
ECS2201 Political Conflicts and their Resolution
ECS2321 Listening and Interaction in Conflict Resolution
ECS3125 Peaceful Resolution of Violent Conflict
ECS3140 Gender Relations and Conflict

Optional Courses: 12 units

6 units from:
ECS3101 Introduction to Technical and Legal Aspects of Conflict Resolution
ECS3110 Internship I
ECS3123 Psychological Impacts of Conflicts
ECS3124 Conflict in Organizations
ECS3127 Group Processes and Conflicts
ECS3128 Consultation and Coaching in Conflicts
ECS3130 Special Topics in Conflict Studies
ECS3323 Dialogue

6 units from:
ECS4101 Causes of Conflict I: Biological and Psychological Approaches
ECS4102 Causes of Conflict II: Sociological and Rationalist Approaches
ECS4130 Advanced Topics in Conflict Studies
ECS4999 Advanced Internship in Conflict Resolution / Stage avancé en résolution de conflits

Elective Courses (66 units)

Students complete a second major (42 units) and 24 units or a minor (30 units) and 36 units.
18 units 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 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 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 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.

Contact Us

Office of Admissions, Registrar and Student Services
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

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.





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Saint Paul University

223 Main Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1S 1C4

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