Peace and Conflict Studies

Overview

Peace and Conflict Studies at Malmö University

Armed conflict and other forms of organised violence affect people in many parts of the world. Malmö University specialises in the subject of peace and conflict studies through its emphasis on civil society and highly relevant areas such as social movements, nonviolence, enemy images and the media.

As a student here, you will gain insight into the fundamentals of the subject, but you will also be challenged to immerse yourself in the field. The course revolves around questions such as:

• Why and how do violent conflicts arise?
• How can violence be managed and conflict converted into peaceful conditions by peaceful means?
• In addition to the cessation of military and organised violence, what else is required to achieve peace?
• How do combatants and victims of armed conflict experience and handle their situation?
• What role do international organizations and civil society participants play in working for peace - locally and globally? How do they go about their work in practice?
• Violence can be direct, but also structural in the form of oppression. What is required to resist such violence; for example, the practice of non-violence in revolutions?
• What is the role of urbanisation and discrimination in violent conflicts, including in states where no war is in progress?
• What is the impact of the media and enemy images in the development of conflicts, and of how conflicts can be understood by the involved parties, as well as by the outside world?

Within the framework of the programme you have the opportunity to do an internship with a relevant national or international organisation, authority, association or company, giving you practical experience outside the traditional classroom setting. You will also get the chance to study abroad for one semester; Malmö University cooperates with a large number of universities to provide exchange opportunities for our students.

• Career

The diversity of the programme combined with its multidisciplinary focus will provide you with competencies that are sought after in numerous sectors and in a constantly growing labour market.

You will acquire skills and knowledge to prepare you for further academic studies at master’s level, or for employment in fields such as: foreign policy; international relations; global affairs; refugee and asylum issues; analysis, prevention and resolution of conflicts; peace building; and reconciliation.

Future employers may include private sector businesses, local and international organisations and agencies, as well as national authorities and government organisations.