The interdisciplinary character of the minor is evident in the composition and content of the courses, most of which are taught by staff from two or more disciplines, bringing dialogue and exchange directly into the classroom. Because the minor targets students from different study programmes across the VU and beyond, this interdisciplinary character is also apparent in the student population. The programme adopts both macro and micro analytical perspectives, examining the 'bigger picture' of interstate relations and large-scale political violence alongside the local and individual dimensions of conflict, including psychological foundations of violent behaviour and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives.
The programme employs learning and assessment activities that authentically reflect professional work and research in the peace and conflict sector. Students engage with tasks that mirror real-world challenges—such as case analysis, policy evaluation, collaborative problem-solving, and communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences. These approaches foster students' critical thinking, analytical, collaborative, and communication abilities while providing robust measures of these competencies through deep engagement, original analysis, and application of knowledge to novel situations.
Upon completion of the Minor in Peace and Conflict Studies, students will be able to:
- Analyse the root causes, dynamics, and consequences of conflict and violence using multiple theoretical frameworks and empirical insights from diverse disciplines at macro, meso and micro levels.
- Evaluate approaches to conflict resolution and peacebuilding, critically assessing the prospects, limitations, and ethical implications of strategies including legal and political frameworks, philosophical and religious perspectives, psychological interventions, and transitional justice mechanisms.
- Examine the role of identity and intersectionality in conflict, analysing how religion, gender, class, ethnicity, and sexuality shape conflict occurrence and resolution, while remaining mindful of colonial mindsets and structures.
- Synthesise insights across disciplinary boundaries to develop holistic understandings of complex peace and conflict challenges.
- Apply knowledge to real-world contexts, analysing specific cases, co-creating solutions, and communicating findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary settings, working productively in diverse teams and integrating multiple perspectives to address peace and conflict challenges.