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74733-01 - Seminar: Research Methods in Peace, Conflict and Justice (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers |
Julie Bernath (julie.bernath@unibas.ch)
Metka Herzog (metka.herzog@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This seminar offers an applied introduction to research methods in peace, conflict and transitional justice studies. It will provide an overview of the research process, from the formulation of a research question and the operationalisation of key concepts to the sharing of research findings. Students learn about the different steps in the research process while simultaneously applying those steps to their own empirical research project. The focus is on critically engaging with different methodological approaches and tools in empirical peace research; discussing key methodological challenges and options to address them (e.g. gaining access to hard-to-reach populations); and reflecting on important ethical concerns in an unequal world of knowledge production. The course readings will cover a wide range of themes researched in peace studies in (post) conflict contexts, including transitional justice, forced migration, and social movements. |
| Learning objectives | Students taking this course will: 1. Learning objectives linked to the course theme: Improve their global understanding of social and political dynamics in (post)conflict contexts and acquire new knowledge on peacebuilding and its different structures, actors, and processes; Be exposed to a variety of research methods and epistemological approaches; Be able to critically reflect on the use of different research methods for the study of peace, conflict, and transitional justice; Identify key ethical concerns that arise in peace research; Develop a reflective attitude toward processes of peace, conflict and transitional justice, the complexity of their scientific analysis, and the underlying politics of knowledge production. 2. Learning objectives linked to developing generic skills: Improve reading comprehension skills and the ability to distil information, arguments, and analysis accurately; Develop analytical reading skills of conceptual and methodological work in peace studies; Practice the application of key research methods used in peace research; Develop group work skills and writing skills |
| Bibliography | Hoglund, K., & Oberg, M. (Eds.). (2011). Understanding Peace Research: Methods and Challenges (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203828557 Additional articles using different methods will be uploaded on ADAM. |
| Comments | All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants will be limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science. |
| Admission requirements | All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants will be limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 20.02.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 27.02.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 06.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 13.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Fasnachstferien |
| Thursday 20.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 27.03.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 03.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 10.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 17.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Ostern |
| Thursday 24.04.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 01.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Tag der Arbeit |
| Thursday 08.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 15.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 22.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
| Thursday 29.05.2025 | 10.15-11.45 | Auffahrt |
| Modules |
Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Methoden der Nahoststudien und der Gesellschaftswissenschaften (Bachelor's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Regionaler Fokus B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Vertiefung Politikwissenschaft B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Students are expected to come prepared to class and read the assigned literature. - Active participation in class showing that students have read the assigned literature (10%) - Empirical research project: 3 intermediate assignments for the different stages of the research process (each assignment 10%) Total 30% After receiving feedback from the lecturers on the intermediate assignments, students will incorporate the feedback in the final portfolio for the individual research project - Written portfolio for the individual research project 50% - Group work 10% |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Politikwissenschaft |