Peace Research Methods

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The purpose of this course is to provide undergraduate students with an overview of the epistemic and methodological approaches to peace research. Its goal is to equip students with a functional methodological literacy that will allow them to critically engage with peace studies research. As part of this course, students will have the opportunity to conduct original in-depth research, or to apply the concepts introduced in this course to a case with which they have familiarity. As an introductory course, it cannot equip students with an expert understanding of every method, but it will help students grasp the logic underlying different methodological approaches, their basic mechanics, and the kinds of questions that each is best equipped to answer. Students will: 1) develop an understanding of the logic underlying different methodological approaches to questions in peace studies research; 2) acquire methodological literacy that will allow them to critically engage with questions relevant to peace studies; 3) identify which methodological approaches are best applied to what kinds of questions; 4) apply a particular methodological approach to a question of interest to the student; and 5) hone skills of analysis, argumentation, and writing.