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Conflict Studies (MA)

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(Subject to approval from the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance and by the Ontario government.)

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.

Program Objectives

Analysis: to explore the connections between conflict, violence, social justice, conflict resolution and peacebuilding in human communities;
Training: to develop the attitudes, knowledge, research and skills necessary to analyze ethnic and religious dimensions of conflicts so as to cultivate peace;
Outcomes: to produce graduates who are competent

To analyze ethnic and religious dimensions of conflicts in a multidisciplinary perspective and
To devise and evaluate appropriate conflict resolution strategies.

Two levels of learning are distinguished:

Foundational Level: this level entails intensive study of major themes in Conflict Studies. Graduate training is initiated in research skills and methodologies in preparation for the research project.
Advanced Level: this level of study concentrates on the development of specific dimensions of conflict studies. Research seminars meet to define the problem, purpose, scope and methodology of the master’s research project.

Search all research fields for members of the teaching staff

The professors included in the list below are members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. This means that they are authorized to supervise or co-supervise theses. A complete list of the faculty and staff members associated with the program can be found at http://www.ustpaul.ca/index_e.asp

BRADLEY, Megan, Assistant Professor
Forced migration; Human rights; Transitional justice, Research for development

EATON, Heather, Full Professor
Ecological dimensions of conflict; Religious aspects of conflict and peace; Gender/feminism, peace and conflict research

GOULET, Jean-Guy, Full Professor
Aboriginal Peoples; Resistance to policies of assimilation and extermination; Role of language and religion in the construction of identities at the levels of the individual and the collectivity, Qualitative research methods and ethical issues

PANDIMAKIL, Peter, Associate Professor
Religions and pluralism; philosophical theology; theories and interpretation of myth; ethical issues in cultural anthropology

PARENT, Genevieve, Associate Professor
"Intimate genocides" such as the atrocities in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, traumatism, transitional justice, healing and reconciliation

REDEKOP, Vern, Full Professor
Hermeneutical framework for understanding deep-rooted conflict between identity groups; religious based conflict, protesting crowds and police; and the role of identity-based conflict in economic life, methodology of community-based conflict resolution

RIOUX, Jean-François, Associate Professor
History of conflict resolution; peacebuilding; conflict analysis; disarmament and arms control; ethics of armed intervention

TESSIER, Hélène, Associate Professor
Conflit et transformation; éthique, subjectivité et conflit; droits de la personne et droit à l'égalité; genre et rapports de domination; justice sociale et conflit

Students may prepare for a master's degree in one of two ways:

The successful completion of 27 credits at the graduate level and the preparation and effective defence of a thesis (ECS 6999) before a board of at least two examiners, members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and presided over by a chair appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies of the Faculty of Human sciences. The master's thesis should be approximately 100 pages and not exceed 150 pages in length.

The successful completion of 36 credits at the graduate level including a research paper submitted at the end of the Research Seminar (ECS 6140). The research paper should be about 50 pages in length.

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.

Compulsory Courses (21 credits)

All students must take the following seven courses:

ECS5101 IDENTITY-BASED CONFLICT (3cr.)
ECS5110 HISTORY OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION (3cr.)
ECS5302 APPROACHES TO CONFLICT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (3cr.)
ECS5304 ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF CONFLICT (3cr.)
ECS5311 RELIGIOUS IDENTITIES AND CONFLICT (3cr.)
ECS5131 CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ANALYSIS AND DESIGN (3cr.)
ECS5330 CONFLICT RESOLUTION: RESULTS ASSESSMENT (3cr.)

Research (6 credits) (option with research paper)

ECS5103 RESEARCH METHODS (3cr.)
ECS6140 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3cr.)

Research (3 credits) (option with thesis)

ECS5103 RESEARCH METHODS (3cr.)
ECS6999 THÈSE DE M.A. / MA THESIS

Optional 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.

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.

Tous les cours, à l’exception de la thèse, comptent 3 crédits et ils peuvent être offerts soit à la session d’automne, soit à celle d’hiver.

All courses listed, with the exception of the thesis, are worth 3 credits and may be offered either in the fall or the winter session.

ECS5101 IDENTITY-BASED CONFLICT (3cr.)
Theoretical concepts to understand the dynamics of religious and ethnic conflicts. Application of these concepts to particular situations. Religion, ethnicity, gender, class, and other identity signifiers. Human identity needs, mimetic theory, and structures of domination. Ethno-nationalist movements and victimization.

ECS5103 RESEARCH METHODS (3cr.)
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.

ECS5110 HISTORY OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION (3cr.)
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.

ECS5112 TRAUMA, HEALING AND RECONCILIATION (3cr.)
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.

ECS5114 GENOCIDE AND RECONCILIATION (3cr.)
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.

ECS5116 POLITICAL ECONOMY OF CONFLICT (3cr.)
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.

ECS5118 CONTEMPORARY PEACEBUILDING (3cr.)
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.

ECS5119 MEDIATION AND NEGOTIATION: THEORY AND RESEARCH (3cr.)
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.

ECS5120 SELECTED TOPICS IN CONFLICT STUDIES (3cr.)

ECS5131 CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ANALYSIS AND DESIGN (3cr.)
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.

ECS5302 APPROACHES TO CONFLICT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (3cr.)
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.

ECS5304 ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF CONFLICT (3cr.)
Conceptual and procedural ethical issues concerning norms of justice and reconciliation. Relation of ethical issues to self-other dialectics, dynamics of discourse and power, gender and class, memory and agency.

ECS5311 RELIGIOUS IDENTITIES AND CONFLICT (3cr.)
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.

ECS5313 SPIRITUALITY AND CONFLICT (3cr.)
Impact of conflict on spirituality and of spirituality on conflict. Part played in conflict by the spiritual life and convictions of those involved.

ECS5315 GENDER AND CONFLICT (3cr.)
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.

ECS5316 INDIGENOUS CULTURES, CONFLICT AND COEXISTENCE (3cr.)
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.

ECS5330 CONFLICT RESOLUTION: RESULTS ASSESSMENT (3cr.)
Hermeneutical and empirical methodologies used to analyze and evaluate conflict resolution strategies, conflict resolution projects and programs. Case study presentations.

ECS5333 DIALOGUE: THEORY AND RESEARCH (3cr.)
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.

ECS5501 CONFLITS IDENTITAIRES (3cr.)
Concepts théoriques utilisés dans l'étude de la dynamique des conflits religieux et ethniques. Application de ces concepts à diverses situations. Religion, ethnicité, rapports sociaux de sexe, classe sociale et d'autres signifiants de l'identité. Besoins humains d'identité, théorie mimétique, structures de domination, mouvements ethno-nationalistes et victimisation.

ECS5503 MÉTHODES DE RECHERCHE (3cr.)
Évaluation critique concernant les résultats de la recherche en sciences humaines. Méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives pour la collecte des données, leur validation et leur interprétation. Aspects éthiques de la recherche. Application à des projets de recherche universitaires et à la rédaction de thèse.

ECS5510 HISTOIRE DE LA RÉSOLUTION DE CONFLITS (3cr.)
Approches et institutions de résolution de conflits créées au cours de l'histoire dans différentes régions du monde. Mécanismes traditionnels de résolution de conflits. L'État et le Droit. Institutions démocratiques. Implication des tierces parties. Promotion de la paix.

ECS5512 TRAUMATISMES, GUÉRISON ET RÉCONCILIATION (3cr.)
La violence et le traumatisme dans le contexte de conflits identitaires. Composantes affective, spirituelle, physique et cognitive de l'être humain. Réconciliation, pardon et guérison des traumatismes.

ECS5514 GÉNOCIDE ET RÉCONCILIATION (3cr.)
Dégénérescence des conflits en atrocités inoubliables et impardonnables. Causes, mécanismes et attitudes qui mènent à des formes de violence collective extrêmes. Rôle de la foi dans la guérison de la mémoire. Étude de cas de génocide en Allemagne, en Afrique du Sud, au Rwanda, ainsi qu'en Amérique parmi les populations indigènes.

ECS5516 ÉCONOMIE POLITIQUE DES CONFLITS (3cr.)
Influence du développement et de l'allocation des ressources économiques sur les conflits, en particulier les conflits ethniques et religieux. Influence de la mondialisation sur la propension des sociétés au conflit et à la violence.

ECS5518 CONSOLIDATION DE LA PAIX CONTEMPORAINE (3cr.)
Politiques et pratiques nationales et internationales mises en oeuvre afin d'éliminer les causes des conflits et de prévenir leur récurrence. Dialogue et réconciliation. Réformes politiques et économiques. Développement social et prise en charge de leur destin par les communautés locales.

ECS5519 MÉDIATION ET NÉGOCIATION: THÉORIE ET RECHERCHE (3cr.)
Aspects théoriques et empiriques de divers processus et stratégies de médiation et de négociation. Analyse critique des principales approches contemporaines de la médiation et de la négociation. Cas de négociations réussies ou non. Rôles, capacités et motivations des personnes impliquées.

ECS5520 THÈMES CHOISIS EN ÉTUDES DE CONFLITS (3cr.)

ECS5531 RÉSOLUTION DE CONFLITS : ANALYSE ET CONCEPTION (3cr.)
Analyse de base des conflits et méthodologies dans l'élaboration de stratégies d'intervention dans les conflits identitaires. Le temps séquentiel, la durée et les effets de facteurs émotifs. Études de cas. Questions éthiques reliées à la planification des interventions en résolution de conflit.

ECS5702 APPROCHES DES CONFLITS ET DE LA JUSTICE SOCIALE (3cr.)
Approches employées dans l'analyse des conflits, la promotion de la paix et de la justice sociale. Théories contemporaines des conflits et de la justice sociale tirées des sciences politiques, de la psychologie sociale et de la théologie.

ECS5704 DIMENSIONS ÉTHIQUES DES CONFLITS (3cr.)
Problématiques éthiques conceptuelles et procédurales liées aux normes de la justice et de la réconciliation. Liens des thèmes éthiques à la dialectique du soi et de l'autre, à la dynamique du discours et du pouvoir, au genre et à la classe, à la mémoire et au rôle des agents humains.

ECS5711 IDENTITÉS RELIGIEUSES ET CONFLITS (3cr.)
Rôle des identités, traditions et facteurs religieux dans l'escalade et la transformation des conflits sociaux profondément enracinés. Cadre analytique multi-religieux. Sociologie des religions et herméneutique théologique contextuelle.

ECS5713 SPIRITUALITÉ ET CONFLITS (3cr.)
Influence des conflits sur la spiritualité et de la spiritualité sur les conflits. Rôle des conflits dans la vie spirituelle et influence sur les croyances des personnes touchées.

ECS5715 RAPPORTS SOCIAUX DE SEXE ET CONFLITS (3cr.)
Examen multidisciplinaire de cas de domination et de marginalisation. Les rapports sociaux de sexe comme construction sociale et culturelle. Rôle de ces constructions dans des structures de domination. Défis particuliers aux tentatives de transformer ces structures.

ECS5716 CULTURES INDIGÈNES, CONFLITS ET COEXISTENCE (3cr.)
Implication des identités indigènes dans l'émergence et la transformation des conflits. Résurgence culturelle et religieuse indigène au Canada et dans d'autres contextes nationaux. Capacités de réduction des conflits et de coexistence pluraliste.

ECS5730 RÉSOLUTION DE CONFLITS : RÉSULTATS ET ÉVALUATION (3cr.)
Usage de méthodologies de type herméneutique et empirique dans l'analyse et l'évaluation d'initiatives de résolution de conflits, de projets et programmes de résolution de conflits. Études de cas.

ECS5733 DIALOGUE : THÉORIE ET RECHERCHE (3cr.)
Le dialogue comme processus d'exploration des croyances cachées et échange d'idées. Le conflit vu comme rupture du dialogue en soi ou entre personnes. Bases théoriques et résultats de la recherche pour que le dialogue améliore le niveau de compréhension mutuelle entre les participants.

ECS6140 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3cr.)

ECS6540 SÉMINAIRE DE RECHERCHE (3cr.)

ECS6999 THÈSE DE M.A. / MA THESIS

ECS8901 SÉMINAIRE DE DOCTORAT I / DOCTORAL SEMINAR I (3cr.)
Séminaire visant l’atteinte par les étudiants des objectifs suivants : approfondissement des connaissances des quatre thèmes du programme de doctorat (les dimensions ethniques, religieuses, morales et sociales des conflits); développement de la capacité d’analyser et d’évaluer de façon critique les théories, ainsi que la capacité d’examiner de façon critique les théories, concepts et présupposés sur lesquels s’appuient tant l’analyse des conflits que les pratiques de résolution de conflits, le tout en rapport avec les intérêts de recherche propres à l’étudiant. Préalable : Une connaissance active du français ou de l’anglais et la capacité de comprendre et de lire dans l’autre langue. / Seminar aimed at enabling students to achieve the following objectives: gain expertise in the four themes of the PhD program (ethnic, religious, moral and social dimensions of conflict); develop the ability to analyze and evaluate critically the theories, concepts and assumptions underlying conflict analysis and resolution practice with particular attention to the students’ own research interests. Prerequisite: Active knowledge of either English or French and the ability to comprehend and read in the other language.

ECS8902 SÉMINAIRE DE DOCTORAT II / DOCTORAL SEMINAR II (3cr.)
Séminaire ayant pour objectifs de permettre aux étudiants d’atteindre les objectifs suivants : acquérir la capacité d’évaluer et de discuter de façon critique diverses perspectives sur les dimensions ethniques, religieuses, morales et sociales des conflits; acquérir des compétences théoriques permettant de relier les différentes disciplines utilisées en études de conflits et de comprendre en quoi ces disciplines peuvent contribuer de façon significative à l’approfondissement des intérêts de recherche de l’étudiant. Préalables : ECS8901. Connaissance active du français ou de l’anglais et la capacité de comprendre et de lire dans l’autre langue. Préalables : ECS8901. Connaissance active du française ou de l’anglais et connaissance passive de l’autre langue. / Seminar aimed at enabling students to achieve the following objectives: develop the ability to evaluate and discuss alternative perspectives on ethnic, religious, moral and social justice aspects of conflicts; develop the ability to bridge the disciplines used in conflict studies and to understand where and how these disciplines make valuable contributions to the students’ own research interests. Prerequisites: ECS8901. Active knowledge of either English or French and the ability to comprehend and read in the other language.

ECS8903 MÉTHODOLOGIE DE RECHERCHE / RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (3cr.)
Évaluation critique des résultats de la recherche en sciences humaines. Méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives pour la collecte des données, leur validation et leur interprétation. Développement des habiletés suivantes : la capacité de conceptualiser et de conduire des recherches susceptibles de générer des connaissances et des pratiques de pointe en études de conflits; acquisition de connaissances permettant d’examiner de façon critique les différentes méthodes de recherche en études de conflits et d’en évaluer leur valeur respective. Aspects éthiques de la recherche. Applications à des projets de recherche au niveau des projets de recherches et des thèses au niveau des études supérieures. Préalable : Connaissance active du français ou de l’anglais et la capacité de comprendre et de lire dans l’autre langue. / Critical evaluation of research findings in the human sciences. Qualitative and quantitative methods of gathering, validating, and interpreting evidence. Issues in research ethics relating to conflict studies. Development of the following abilities: to conceptualize and design research for the generation of new knowledge and applications at the forefront of conflict studies; and to assess research methods used in conflict studies and explain the value of those methods compared to methods used in other fields. Prerequisite: Active knowledge of either English or French and the ability to comprehend and read in the other language.

ECS8911 LECTURES ET RECHERCHES DIRIGÉES / SELECTED READINGS AND RESEARCH (3cr.)

ECS9997 PROJET DE THÈSE / THESIS PROPOSAL

ECS9998 EXAMEN DE SYNTHÈSE / COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

ECS9999 THÈSE DE DOCTORAT / PhD THESIS
Préalables/ Prerequisites :ECS9997 et ECS9998

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Conflict Studies (MA)

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