Master's in Conflict Studies and Peacebuilding

The Master's programme in Conflict Studies and Peacebuilding focuses on linking research and practice. The aim is to provide students with a broad understanding of social science theories and the methods of conflict studies, while at the same time familiarising them with the practical fields of peacebuilding. Students learn fundamental concepts, terms and approaches from peace, conflict, and violence research, whether from the perspective of political theory and the history of ideas, on the basis of comparative studies, or from the angle of international relations. Students address the role of different conflict actors, the causes and dynamics of conflicts and violence, and the practices of conflict mediation and peacebuilding on the part of international, state and non-state actors. They investigate different political systems, institutions, and societies, inquiring about state-society relations as well as international and global interrelations. They examine power and violence relations as well as economic and social contexts. They learn to apply qualitative as well as quantitative methods in the analysis of concrete conflicts or peace processes. The study of violent, intra-state conflicts ("civil wars") is one empirical focus. The programme also integrates knowledge and experience from professional practice. Students learn to apply academic knowledge and methodological approaches to problems and fields of action in peacebuilding. Practitioners present their organisations and work methods in a regular course. Further seminars provide instruction on practice-oriented instruments – for example, project management, programme evaluation methods, or academic policy consulting. With the help of corresponding teaching formats and a mandatory internship, students gain structured insights into practical fields in conflict analysis, conflict transformation, and peacebuilding.