MASTER PROGRAM: Kultura globalnih medija
IZBORNA OPCIJA: Conflict Studies

Jednogodišnji master program 
1 year MA program in Culture and Global Media 

Mentor: Dr. Orli Fridman 

Lecturers in the Program: Mr. Zoran Ćirjaković, Dr. Jana Baćević, Dr. Jelena Tošic, Dr. Orli Fridman 

About the Program

The Conflict Studies Program is first of its kind in the Balkans, and is designed to provide graduate level education for students interested in the field of Conflict Studies, especially in areas such as: conflict transformation, peacebuilding, political violence, comparative analysis of peace processes & international negotiations, media and conflict, reconciliation and the role of gender in the study of conflicts. 

Peace and Conflict Studies research, as an academic specialty and area of study has tremendously expended in the past decade. It provides insights into the nature of groups and societies in conflict, and the root causes of conflicts. It assumes the in-depth analysis of mechanisms and dynamics of societies in and post-conflict; it recognizes the tremendous work to be done not only while wars are being waged, but even more so, in rebuilding viable societies in the aftermath. Our program therefore aims to critically study and research such processes, to train and teach individuals interested in becoming researchers or practitioners in the field.

Aims of the Program: 

Interdisciplinary in its nature, the program in Conflict Studies will prepare students to analyze and understand today’s social and political conflicts and the related processes. Our new curriculum aims to bridge theory and practice and offer a comparative framework for the analysis of societies in and post-conflict. Students will be exposed to the most up-to-date academic discussions in the field and receive solid theoretical and methodological background to then conduct their own research.

The program is designed for students particularly interested in Balkan studies with a focus on the ex-Yugoslav conflicts, and post-conflict transformation in the region. Additionally, our new curriculum will offer students courses with concentration on the comparative studies of conflicts, with special focus on case studies such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as other conflicts worldwide. 

Program Structure

Semester I:

1. Introduction to conflict studies - mandatory
2. Research Methods I - mandatory
3. Issues in Conflict Analysis and post-Conflict Transition
4. Elective course
5. Elective course 

Semester II:

1. Conflict and Memory studies - mandatory
2. Research Methods II - mandatory
3. Elective Course
4. Research proposal (with thesis mentor) and thesis writing 

Summer School in Comparative Conflict Studies 

The Summer School in Comparative Conflict Studies provides a learning opportunity for students interested in study and analysis of societies in and post-conflict. Interdisciplinary in its nature, drawing from the fields of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, History, sociology and International Relations, the Summer School in Comparative Conflict Studies provides students with an interactive learning experience utilizing frontal lectures and class discussions focusing on comparative conflict analysis of different case studies. 

Visit the Center for Comparative Conflict Studies. 

Participating in Research Projects

In 2010-11 academic year the students in the Conflict Studies program participated in a yearlong research project in South Serbia titled: The Conflict and its aftermath in South Serbia; Social and Ethnic Relations, agency and Belonging in Presevo and Bujanovac.