This practical two-day orientation is offered for international students studying in the Master's Degree Programmes offered through the medium of English. The orientation offers a general overview to academic and study-related practices as well as to livelihood and social security of a degree student in Finland.

The preliminary programme of the orientation will be made available in the spring/summer 2014.

Selection criteria: Priority is given to degree students. Otherwise the selection criterion is the date of registration. Selections on view: The final course lists will be posted on the Language Centre's notice board on 29 August.

If you wish to complete the course during the academic year 2014 - 2015, contact the teacher no later than March 15, 2015.

This module (54 hours) is online apart from individual teacher-student tutorials for discussion of the submitted thesis extract. The work consists of readings, group analysis tasks and thesis writing work. Students should take the module after their research proposal has been accepted by their programme and they are about to embark upon the writing of their thesis.

This course explores the use of econometrics in empirically answering questions about the efficacy of public policy. The course starts with a review of “statistical correlation” and proceeds to “cause and effect.” This narrowing of focus is essential for assessing policy impacts empirically, but is quite challenging to implement. This course builds a set of critical and practical econometric skills with which to evaluate whether correlation is likely to reflect causation.

Students often inquire about their statistics and economics preparation. To be sure, this course has a substantial mathematics/statistics component, but it is not a course in theoretical or applied statistics as a mathematics department would teach it. This course trains students in bridging the gap between statistics/mathematics and the economic behaviors they are supposed to represent. It is useful to think of statistics/mathematics as telling an abstract story about the policy environment, and human data telling a real story. Data are uninterpretable without the analytical abstraction, and the mathematics are not verifiable without the reality. But if the two can harmonize,
some very useful policy conclusions can potentially be drawn.

The framing of policy analysis in an economic context should not be confused with a focus on “economic policy” such as macroeconomics or finance. Economics provides a theory of human decision-making in the presence of general kinds of incentives, and most public policies alter the incentives (monetary or otherwise) of the governed. Topics to be explored this semester include the US housing market, healthcare provision, educator incentives, and Presidential elections.

This course continues as “Econometric Analysis of Public Policy II” in the Spring semester.

Compensates PEACE003 Research Methods course in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research programme.

Enrolment and participation for the course:
Priority is given for North American studies programme students and the degree students in Master's programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research (1st year students).
If places are available, students are selected in the following order:
- UTA degree students from other programmes
- UTA exchange students

The course deals with the role of the environment and natural resources in conflicts and peace building. Among the key themes are environmental impacts of conflicts and warfare, and post-conflict environmental analysis. Moreover, the course describes how natural resources can function both as a source of conflicts and as tools in peace building and in post-conflict economic recovery and reconciliation. The theoretical underpinnings of environmental security are also discussed.

Enrolment through Nettiopsu.
Enrolment and participation for the course:
Priority is given for degree students in Master's programme in Peace, Mediation and Coflict Research (1st and 2nd year students in order of enrolment and then students from collaboration University Åbo Academy).
If places are available, students outside the programme are selected in the following order:
- UTA degree students from other programmes
- UTA exchange students
Prerequisites:
- Master level students who have a very good academic English and good background knowledge in the field of study.

Thesis seminar will start in 9th September 2014 and will last until end of the academic year. Usually 3 hours/ week, detailed programme will be given in the first session.

In a thesis seminar students are required to complete written work and participate in presentations. During the seminar a student will submit:

1)      Literature review

2)      Research plan

3)      Full chapter of the thesis

The course is available only for the degree students in the programme.

PART 1: Peace & Conflict Research Traditions (10h)

1.9. Tarja Väyrynen: Introduction (2h)

3.9. & 8.9 Helena Rytövuori-Apunen: Peace and conflict research as a critical movement in the 20th century (4h)

10.9. & 15.9. Tarja Väyrynen: The Interpretative tradition of conflict and conflict resolution theory (4h)

PART 2: Conflict Resolution (10 h)

17.9. & 22.9 Marko Lehti: From Kant to R2P: tools and ideals of peacemaking  (4h)

24.9. Teemu Palosaari: Environmental peacebuilding (2h)

29.9.  Bruno Lefort: Deconstructing identity conflicts (4h) Please note: lectures 29.9 at 10-12 AND 15-17

PART 3: Peace & Security (10 h)

6.10 & 8.10 Benedikt Schoenborn: Fragile Peace during the Cold War (4h)

13.10 & 15.10 Frank Möller: A new research agenda after the end of the cold war (4h)

20.10 Teemu Palosaari: Environmental security (2h)

The course deals with the role of the gender in war, peace and peacebuilding, including conflict mediation.  Gender is used as an analytical tool which opens up a domain of larger theoretical issues which include, for example, the construction of femininities and masculinities, cultural trauma, post-conflict exclusion and memory work, political agency, subaltern and the nexus of speech/silence. The course discusses also the ways in which gender can be studied (methods and methodology) and demonstrates the usability of a variety of research material (e.g. policy documents, documentary films, interviews).

Elective courses in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

If you wish to complete the course during the academic year 2014 - 2015, contact the teacher no later than March 15, 2015.

This module (54 hours) is online apart from individual teacher-student tutorials for discussion of the submitted thesis extract. The work consists of readings, group analysis tasks and thesis writing work. Students should take the module after their research proposal has been accepted by their programme and they are about to embark upon the writing of their thesis.

This course explores the use of econometrics in empirically answering questions about the efficacy of public policy. The course starts with a review of “statistical correlation” and proceeds to “cause and effect.” This narrowing of focus is essential for assessing policy impacts empirically, but is quite challenging to implement. This course builds a set of critical and practical econometric skills with which to evaluate whether correlation is likely to reflect causation.

Students often inquire about their statistics and economics preparation. To be sure, this course has a substantial mathematics/statistics component, but it is not a course in theoretical or applied statistics as a mathematics department would teach it. This course trains students in bridging the gap between statistics/mathematics and the economic behaviors they are supposed to represent. It is useful to think of statistics/mathematics as telling an abstract story about the policy environment, and human data telling a real story. Data are uninterpretable without the analytical abstraction, and the mathematics are not verifiable without the reality. But if the two can harmonize,
some very useful policy conclusions can potentially be drawn.

The framing of policy analysis in an economic context should not be confused with a focus on “economic policy” such as macroeconomics or finance. Economics provides a theory of human decision-making in the presence of general kinds of incentives, and most public policies alter the incentives (monetary or otherwise) of the governed. Topics to be explored this semester include the US housing market, healthcare provision, educator incentives, and Presidential elections.

This course continues as “Econometric Analysis of Public Policy II” in the Spring semester.

Compensates PEACE003 Research Methods course in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research programme.

Enrolment and participation for the course:
Priority is given for North American studies programme students and the degree students in Master's programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research (1st year students).
If places are available, students are selected in the following order:
- UTA degree students from other programmes
- UTA exchange students

Thesis seminar will start in 9th September 2014 and will last until end of the academic year. Usually 3 hours/ week, detailed programme will be given in the first session.

In a thesis seminar students are required to complete written work and participate in presentations. During the seminar a student will submit:

1)      Literature review

2)      Research plan

3)      Full chapter of the thesis

The course is available only for the degree students in the programme.

This module examines intersectional approaches to human mobility in peace and conflict research. Violent conflicts, ethnic and religious discrimination and human rights abuses produce forced displacement, understood as both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The perspectives of states, international organizations, civil society organizations as well as migrants themselves in responding to these crisis situations are considered. During the course these perspectives are approached through three types of intersections. These include a) intersections between theoretical approaches to the question of forced migration, b) those between theory and practice, and c) those between different empirical situations of forced migration.

Priority for degree students in Master's programme in Peace, Mediation and Coflict Research. Some places available for exchange students. Requirements: Master level students who have very good academic English and good background knowledge in the field of study.

What is the role of traditional peace mediation in the context of a changing international framework and what can be achieved by international mediation? Notably, changes have taken place in the more recent unfolding of conflicts, and this presents peace mediation and the efforts of negotiation with considerable challenges. Simultaneously the UN has improved its own organization, the EU has included mediation into its agenda and many small and middle sized countries, such as Norway, have turned mediation into an integral part of their foreign policy. Overall, a rather flexible and multifaceted diplomacy is on its way of supplanting the traditional state-centric diplomacy. It may further be noted that a number of countries lean on cooperation with NGOs or even outsource their contribution to mediation to the NGOs. It appears that the models applied in the sphere of mediation vary and one of the aims of the course is to ponder on the diversity of available options and actors. Mediation and dialogue are not approached only from third party’s perspective but instead examined as part of the whole peace process and critically examined the role of mediator and international actors.

The courses combines lectures, workshops, literature, practitioner’s visits as well as role playing rehearsal.

27.10.2014    Introduction (Lehti)

29.10.2014    Lecture

3.11. & 5.11.  Lecture

10.11.            Visit: Rami Kolehmainen

12.11.            Visit: Kimmo Kiljunen, Special Representative of Foreign Minister for Regional Peace-Mediation Tasks

17.11.            Mediator’s role and simulation game role setting (Lehti + others)

19.11.            Visit: Antti Pentikäinen, Executive Director of Finn Church Aid

20.11.            Simulation game exercises (students are expected to reserve the whole day for the simulation game) (Lehti, Rampke, Mustasilta)

21.11.            Simulation game – feedback (half day) (Lehti, Rampke, Mustasilta)

24.11.            Visit: Meeri-Maria Jaarva, Head, Programme Development and Coordination, CMI

26.11 Lecture

1.12 Lecture

3.12 Lecture

8.12 Lecture

The course is only available for the degree students in the Peace programme. Max 25 students in order of enrolment. Lectures with Guest speakers are open for the degree students in the Peace programme.

http://www.uta.fi/kirjasto/en/course/courses_in_mainlibrary/basics.html

If you wish to complete the course during the academic year 2014 - 2015, contact the teacher no later than March 15, 2015.

This module (54 hours) is online apart from individual teacher-student tutorials for discussion of the submitted thesis extract. The work consists of readings, group analysis tasks and thesis writing work. Students should take the module after their research proposal has been accepted by their programme and they are about to embark upon the writing of their thesis.

Introductory lectures during the COSOPO intensive programme in Tampere, afterwards the course continues in Moodle.

Only for students of the COSOPO and Peace programmes.

Enrollment is required only for group 2!

Only for students in the Cosopo and Peace programmes.

GROUP 1

For the students of the COSOPO programme (UTA, MRU and JKU):

Introductory lectures during the COSOPO intensive programme in Tampere during period III, afterwards the course continues in Moodle.

GROUP 2

For students of the Peace programme:

On-line course with some consultation hours in period IV.

The 2015 edition of Visual Peace Research is a RESEARCH SEMINAR in light of new trends in, and new challenges to, photojournalism. The seminar is based on the assumption that traditional photojournalism is in crisis: its aesthetics are exhausted, the extent to which it reaches audiences is limited, and it is facing strong competition from citizen photographers and social media. The course explores such issues as: photojournalism in the digital age; forms and practices of citizen photography, in particular in wars and conflicts; social media and photojournalism; alternative forms of approaching war and security photographically (e.g. aftermath photography); participatory photographic projects; subject positions and responsiveness of audiences; ethical issues in connection with representations of human suffering; peace photography.

A collaborative approach to knowledge production, to be specified at the beginning of the course, will be used.

Enrolment and participation for the course:
Priority is given for the degree students in the Master’s programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research. If places are available, UTA Master's degree students from other programmes and exchange students can be selected to the course.
Prerequisites:
- Master level students who have a very good academic English and good background knowledge in the field of study.

Thesis seminar will start in 9th September 2014 and will last until end of the academic year. Usually 3 hours/ week, detailed programme will be given in the first session.

In a thesis seminar students are required to complete written work and participate in presentations. During the seminar a student will submit:

1)      Literature review

2)      Research plan

3)      Full chapter of the thesis

The course is available only for the degree students in the programme.

In this module we study different approaches to peace through the examples of specific individuals who have earned recognition for their actions in the cause of peace. Here the term ‘peacebuilder’ is interpreted in a broad sense. The lectures will introduce a selection of individuals, the conflict situations they faced, and the means of their coping with theconflict. These personalities will include some acclaimed peacebuilders and historical figures like Mohandas Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela and Willy Brandt. Their individual positions on non-violence, or their acceptance of qualified violence under certain circumstances, will be discussed. Attention will also be paid to the peacebuilders’ own explanations of their motivations, actions and objectives, and the – potentially different – international perception of their work in hindsight.

Furthermore, each student will present a research paper on a chosen individual and thereby contribute one approach to the complex topic of peacebuilding. Interested students are encouraged to start thinking about the choice of ‘their’ peacebuilder (different from the individuals presented by the teacher) already before the first session. The sources used for the research paper should ideally include original writings and speeches by the selected peacebuilder.

The course primarily targets degree students in the Master’s programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research. If places are available, UTA Master's degree students from other programmes can be selected to the course.
Max. 18 students

LECTURE TOPICS

Introduction to main concepts

• Conflict and its solution in human life  
• Security: individual, group and cultural dimensions  
• Theories of human mind
• Tutorial for students’ work (presetations in February)

Psychological knowledge in war-fare  

• War propaganda
• Nature, aims and consequnces of torture  
• Research on soldiers’ psyche  

Reconsiliation, thruth and justice  (Learning diary)

• Forgiveness: theories, models and empirical research                             
• Models of change: competences, values, emotions and attitudes
• Examples of reconsiliation process  

Human development: indications for peace education  (Learning diary)

• Child development for empathy, aggression and socialization 
• Cultural differences in parenting and socialization

Conflict resolution: psychological and group processes

• Cooperation and competitive orientations 
• Cycles of violence and
  •  Practicing group process skills

Psychological consequences of war: implication for peace building

• Mental health and resilience
• Posttraumatic symptoms and posttraumatic growth
  • Students’ presentations (topics and material agreed in January)

Students’ presentations

• Topics and material agreed in January

Priority is given for the degree students in Master's programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research (in order of enrolment).
If places are available, students outside the programme are selected in the following order:
- UTA degree students from other programmes
- UTA exchange students
Prerequisites:
- Master level students who have a very good academic English and good background knowledge in the field of study.

Tampere Peace Perspectives is the first student conference on Peace and Conflict Research at the University of Tampere. Bringing together students from diverse academic backgrounds, the conference is a platform to explore the multidisciplinarity of the field. Attendance as audience is open for all.

See conference website: http://peaceperspectives.tumblr.com

STRUCTURE OF THE CONFERENCE

The conference lasts one day and takes place on Friday, 13-Feb-2015. It will be opened by an invited key note speaker. Student presentations will follow, divided into themed sessions.

The presentations should be 20-minutes-long each and based on research by the presenting students (e.g. thesis or seminar paper). The study which the presentation is based on need not be finished. Recent graduates are also welcome to participate.

Each presentation will have one discussant. At the latest a week before the conference (Friday, 6-Feb-2015), the presenters will send their presentation materials (the text and/or slides and/or other prepared materials) to the organisers to be distributed to the discussants. The discussants will then prepare 5-minutes-long commentaries based on these materials. A more detailed commentary should be prepared in writing; this text will be given to the presenter in the conference.

Each session will end in general discussion in which members of the audience may ask questions about or comment the presentations.

Before the conference, on 3-Feb-2015, there will be a discussion event/workshop on conference practices with Tiina Vaittinen (PhD Candidate/TAPRI). In this session, students will learn about what academic conferences are, why they are organised and what their importance for doctoral students and other scholars is. Good conference practices, with emphasis on the roles of the chairs, presenters and discussants, are also discussed, and students may ask questions related to their own presentations and other responsibilities.

CREDITS

MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research: Students may gain credits by presenting in the conference (2 ECTS), by commenting on presentations (1 ECTS / 2 commentaries) and by actively participating in conference organisation and writing a report/learning diary on it (2 ECTS).

Students in other programmes may discuss with their teaching staff to see if conference participation can be credited under existing course codes.

IMPORTANT DATES

Enrolment period: 16-Jan-2015 – 1-Feb-2015                                                

Session on conference practices: 3-Feb-2015, 16-18 in Linna 6019                   

Selection of discussants: 5-Feb-2015                                   

Deadline of presentation materials: 6-Feb-2015

Conference: 13-Feb-2015                                                       

Enrolment

Enrolment via e-mail (millar.stefan.x(a)student.uta.fi) by 1-Feb-2015. In your message, mention 1) your name and programme/major; 2) are you interested in presenting and/or commenting; 3) your presentation topic and a brief description of it.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The maximum number of presentations and commentaries is 12.

Presentations should be based on research done by the student (e.g. a thesis or a seminar paper) and related to the field of peace and conflict research, understood broadly. In case there are more interested participants than presentation positions, decisions will be made taking into account the following considerations:

1)      Relevance of the topic to Peace and Conflict Research

2)      Multidisciplinarity of the conference

3)      Ease of dividing the presentations into themed sessions

4)      Priority is given to students who are currently working on or who have recently completed their Master’s thesis. Students presenting on topics of other theses or seminar papers are also welcome to enrol. In case of presentation positions remaining, PhD students may present their research.

Priority for discussant positions will be given to students not presenting in the conference.

The selection of presenters and discussants will be conducted by the organisers of the conference.             

Students interested in participating in the organisation should contact Minna Vähäsalo, vahasalo.minna.m(a)student.uta.fi.

If you wish to complete the course during the academic year 2014 - 2015, contact the teacher no later than March 15, 2015.

This module (54 hours) is online apart from individual teacher-student tutorials for discussion of the submitted thesis extract. The work consists of readings, group analysis tasks and thesis writing work. Students should take the module after their research proposal has been accepted by their programme and they are about to embark upon the writing of their thesis.

Introductory lectures during the COSOPO intensive programme in Tampere, afterwards the course continues in Moodle.

Only for students of the COSOPO and Peace programmes.

Enrollment is required only for group 2!

Only for students in the Cosopo and Peace programmes.

GROUP 1

For the students of the COSOPO programme (UTA, MRU and JKU):

Introductory lectures during the COSOPO intensive programme in Tampere during period III, afterwards the course continues in Moodle.

GROUP 2

For students of the Peace programme:

On-line course with some consultation hours in period IV.

Lectures (8 h) introduce the student to different policy approaches as identified in research literature and discuss
them in the context of protracted international conflicts and their resolution processes. Workshop (12 h)

The course primarily targets degree students in the Master’s programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research. If places are available, UTA Master's degree students from other programmes and exchange students can be selected to the course.

Thesis seminar will start in 9th September 2014 and will last until end of the academic year. Usually 3 hours/ week, detailed programme will be given in the first session.

In a thesis seminar students are required to complete written work and participate in presentations. During the seminar a student will submit:

1)      Literature review

2)      Research plan

3)      Full chapter of the thesis

The course is available only for the degree students in the programme.

This course examines what is understood by nationalism and national identity, and how identity is intertwined with security. The notion of ontological security is introduced to explain how conflicts between and within nation-states are struggles over identities. Furthermore, the role of collective memory and past politics are analyzed as the sites of power struggle. The controversial nature of multiculturalism is also discussed in classes.

This course examines what is understood by nationalism and national identity, and how identity is intertwined with security. The notion of ontological security is introduced to explain how conflicts between and within nation-states are struggles over identities. Furthermore, the role of collective memory and past politics are analyzed as the sites of power struggle. The controversial nature of multiculturalism is also discussed in classes. Furthermore, it is discussed how identity questions should be noticed in peace building situations.

Mode of teaching: Study group/reading circle: course starts with a lecture introducing core themes, offering a list of reading and organizing the schedule. Students read the given readings and gather regularly in a reading circle to discuss the themes. Each student needs to prepare an oral introduction to one or two topics and to write an essay (8-10 pages) on a chosen theme. 

Max 20 students. Pre-enrolment by e-mail. Deadline for enrolments is 12th March. The students will be selected to the course in order of enrolment.

16.3. Marko Lehti: Introduction to research methods in peace and conflict research

23.3. Teemu Palosaari: Foreign Policy Analysis

30.3. Bruno Lefort:  Interviews and ethnographic approach

13.4. (13-16) Benedikt Schoenborm: Archival sources and methods in historical research

20.4.  Samu Pehkonen: Studies of talk and interaction

27.4. Tarja Väyrynen: Using documentary films in the study of peace and conflict

4.5. Tiina Vaittinen: Researching Global Political Economy

11.5. Intensive day

In addition to the regular meetings during 16.3.-4.5. there will be one full intensive day in May.