Digital Peacebuilding

1 Credit · Level: Undergraduate

This course introduces students to the rapidly evolving role of contemporary digital technologies in conflict and peacebuilding. After examining social media, artificial intelligence, and similar technologies as drivers of conflict, we will explore ways to both mitigate their harms and to harness a host of prosocial digital tools for dialogue facilitation, misinformation monitoring, participatory mapping, early warning systems, conflict simulation, and collaborative decision-making. We will test a variety of peace tech platforms and think through their application to real-world peacebuilding initiatives. The course will critically assess both the potential and pitfalls of digital approaches, emphasizing ethical considerations, inclusivity, and sustainability. The course will not cover the technical aspects of digital technologies, so knowledge of coding and programming is neither required nor within the scope of the instruction.