United Nations and Conflict Resolution

Module Code: EM7435A

ECTS Credit : 5
Mandatory/ Optional : Optional
Module Coordinator : Dr Etain Tannam
Module Length: 11 weeks (Hilary Term)

Module Description:

The aim of this course is to examine and evaluate the role of the UN in maintaining peace, in the light of international relations theory.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Evaluate the United Nations’ decision-making process
Evaluate the success of the UN in conflict resolution and peace-building
Apply international relations theory to cases of the United Nations and conflict resolution
Communicate arguments and positions clearly and effectively in both verbal and written form, based on evidence and critical reasoning.

Delivery and syllabus:

One hour lecture and one hour seminar per week, consisting of a lecturing input, student participation. Students are expected to read before each session to facilitate discussion.

Syllabus

IR Theory 1
IR Theory 2
The UN’s decision-making process-Security Council
The General Assembly and Secretariat
The UN and Conflict
The UN and Human Rights
The UN and the Balkans
The UN and Cyprus
The UN and the Middle East
UN Reform
Assessing the UN

Recommended Texts

Carlsnaes W., Risse, T., Simmons B., 2002, eds., Handbook of International Relations, London, Sage
Reus-Smit C., and Snidal, D., 2008, Oxford Handbook of International Relations, Oxford, OUP
Mingst K., and Karns M., 2012, The United Nations in the 21st century, Boulder, Westview
Weiss T., et al, 2009, The Oxford Handbook on the United Nations, Oxford, OUP