The module include:

- General Orientation Course for International Students

- Introduction to Academic Culture and Degree Studies

- Library course:  Basics of Information Literacy

- Personal Study Plan

Meetings will be organised twice a month.

Selection criteria: Priority is given to degree students. Otherwise the selection criterion is the date of registration. Selections on view: The final course lists will be posted on the Language Centre's notice board on 28 August.

Students enrolling to the seminar must have participated the lecture part of this course during the UTA Summer School.

Maximum 20 students is accepted to the seminar in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Global and Transnational Studies

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

It is possible to participate only to the lecture part of the course: lectures + essay 5 ECTS.

Students of the MDP in Global and Trasnational Studies must complete lectures + seminar 10 ECTS.

Seminar: Max. 20 students. Students will be accepted to the seminar in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP Global and Transnational Studies

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

MAx. 20 students. Students will be accepted to the seminar in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP Global and Transnational Studies

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

This course is an on-line course with no contact hours. The course will be conducted in the Moodle learning environment. 

Max 25 students. Students will be accepted to the seminar in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Global and Transnational Studies)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

Conflict studies, following international relations studies, have almost always used the national frame to analyze uprisings and other instances of collective violence. Many factors can explain this tradition. Conflict analysis has for a long time been dominated by an international relations paradigm that considered states as the main and most relevant actors in instances of violence, and that consequently saw national boundaries as ‘naturally’ relevant for delimiting the analysis of conflicts. Another more practical factor lies in the fact that most researchers have been using national statistics and other national sources of data for building their analyses, and therefore also giving a national frame to their results.

Over the past few years, however, literature in this field has increasingly been taking stock of recent geopolitical developments highlighting the relevance of other units of analysis. In many cases violence cannot be explained if one does not take into account its transnational character and source, like in the case of the tribal regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan, for instance. As a result, analyses exploring the transnational and international patterns of conflicts have become increasingly popular. The emergence of concepts such as ‘international terrorism’ or the observation of ‘contagion’ or ‘domino’ effects induced by social networks or migration waves, have also contributed to this methodological shift. This widening of the scope of analysis allows for a more accurate picture, accounting for complexity and for elements that would otherwise be difficult to trace, such as regional factors and transnational actors.

In this perspective, the objective of the course is to describe, analyze and understand the transnational dynamics of current conflicts, starting with conflict diffusion, transnational militancy, refugee flows and forced migration, diasporas, links between transnational criminal networks and insurgent groups. The module is inter-disciplinary in nature, drawing on sociological, anthropological, legal, but also international relations works and debates.

Lecture topics will include:

1. Introduction: External dimensions of conflicts and new wars theories
2. Transnational criminal networks and conflicts
3. Conflict diffusion and domino effect
4. Transnational militants and insurgencies
5. Refugees, diasporas and conflict escalation
6. Diasporas, conflict transportation and conflict autonomization
7. Refugees, IDPs, diasporas and peace building
8. Case studies
9. Case studies
10. Case studies

Modes of study

Seven one-hour lectures, seven one-hour seminars, and three two-hour sessions of case study presentations.

All students are expected to keep up with the readings for each lecture, and to contribute to class discussions, particularly in seminars.

Students are asked to give a seminar presentation in which they critically present and assess one of the readings for that week. Each seminar presentation lasts for approx 10 minutes and students are encouraged to speak from notes rather than reading a written text.  

Towards the end of the course collective presentations and discussions of contemporary case studies will be organized.

Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

The lectures take place at 12-14 except on Wed 2.9. at 14-16. Place: Linna 6017.

PART 1: Peace & Conflict Research Traditions (10h)

Wed 2.9. Tarja Väyrynen: Introduction

Mon 7.9. Helena Rytövuori-Apunen: Peace and conflict research as a critical movement in the 20th century

Wed 9.9. Helena Rytövuori-Apunen: Peace and conflict research as a critical movement in the 20th century

Thu 10.9. Tarja Väyrynen: The Interpretative tradition of conflict and conflict resolution theory

Tue 15.9. Tarja Väyrynen: The Interpretative tradition of conflict and conflict resolution theory

PART 2: Conflict Resolution (10 h)

Wed 16.9. Marko Lehti: From Kant to R2P: ideals of peace(making)

Fri 18.9. Marko Lehti: From Kant to R2P: ideals of peace(making)

Mon 21.9. Elise Féron: Practices of peace(making): From peacekeeping to negotiation, mediation and peacebuilding

Wed 23.9. Elise Féron: Practices of peace(making): From peacekeeping to negotiation, mediation and peacebuilding

Mon 28.9. Teemu Palosaari: Environmental peacebuilding (2h)

PART 3: Peace & Security (10 h)

Wed 30.9. Benedikt Schoenborn: Fragile Peace during the Cold War

Mon 5.10. Benedikt Schoenborn: Fragile Peace during the Cold War

Wed 7.10. Frank Möller: A new research agenda after the end of the cold war

Mon 12.10. Teemu Palosaari: Environmental peacebuilding

Wed 14.10. Frank Möller: A new research agenda after the end of the cold war

In order to gain the credits students must participate in the lecture course and write an essay.

The course is aimed for the degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research. If other UTA degree students or exchange students are interested in joining the course, please contact eveliina.permi@uta.fi to inquire about free places.

Game Theory  is compulsory for the degree students in Master's programme in Quantitative Social Research (I-II period).

There are places for other students.

Course in North American Studies: NAM-VII Methodology

The course has been divided in two parts: Math Camp and Experimental Methods

This course is part of the Master's programme in Quantitative Social Research and is compulsory for the degree students in the programme.

There are some places available for other students at the University of Tampere.

If you are interested in taking the course, please contact the coordinator of the programme.

Teaching Schedule:

Math Camp (in Pinni building B3074)

Monday 24.8 at 13-15

Thursday 27.8. at 13-15

Friday 28.8. at 13-15

Monday 31.8. at 13-15

Tuesday 1.9. at 10-12

Experimental Methods course

Wednesday 2.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Friday 4.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Monday 7.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Tuesday 8.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3032

Wednesday 9.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Thursday 10.9 at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Monday 14.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Tuesday 15.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3032

Wednesday 16.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Thursday 17.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

Friday 18.9. at 16-18 in Pinni B building B3077

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In North American Studies belongs to NAM-VII Methodology.

In North American Studies NAM-III Law, Government and Politics

The course is part of University of Tampere Summer School 2015.
Please see the teaching timetable and lecture rooms (PDF) at: http://www.uta.fi/admissions/summer_school/courses.html. 

The course is part of University of Tampere Summer School 2015.
Please see the teaching timetable and lecture rooms (PDF) at: http://www.uta.fi/admissions/summer_school/courses.html.

Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

The course mainly focuses on multivariate methods of data analysis. By the term multivariate methods we mean those techniques that are used to analyze data with more than one variable. Each lecture is divided in two parts. The first part teaches the theory behind a statistical test. We use fun and real-life examples to make the teaching of the theory as pleasant as possible. The second part takes place in a LAB where students will practice working with survey data using SPSS. Upon completion of the course students will know how to use descriptive statistics to analyze their data and also to conduct different types of statistical analysis e.g. correlations, simple and multiple linear regressions, regressions with dummies, regressions for categorical response variable etc. No prior knowledge in data analysis or SPSS is needed to successfully complete this course.  

Modes of Study: Participation and a final exam divided in two parts. In the first part, students will have to take a multiple choice test. In the second part, students will have to perform an analysis using SPSS.   

Course in North American Studies: NAM-VII Methodology

The course will have 9 hours of contact teaching. The rest of the course is conducted on-line in Moodle.

The course is only for the degree students of the following programmes:

- MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

- MDP in Global and Transnational Studies

- MDP in Quantitative Social Research

The course provides students with the basis for making sense of how the media play a role in the process in which national policies take their form. The aim of the lectures is to introduce students to the core research literature on the theme. The course departs from the idea that the media is one of the central actors through which national actors become aware of far-away events and through which these events become integrated with domestic policy discourses. However, this process is more complex than that. On one hand, the journalists are central players in it as they decide what is topical or newsworthy for domestic audiences. They also frame the events so that they make good sense to domestic addressees. On the other hand, in domestic contexts there are many other actors that aim to influence the public understanding of the reported events. These actors bring far-way events into their political argumentation in their attempts to advance their own political interests and desires. Interpretations that appear widely convincing are typically taken up and reported by the media.

Starting from these premises, the course suggests, the media serve not merely as an arena through which far-away events are introduced to local audiences. If anything, the media can be seen as a political arena in which different accounts of the reported events meet thus constructing public understanding of these events. Sooner or later, these understandings convert into domestic policy decisions and practices.  

The course approaches the above phenomenon especially from the perspective of the traditional news media institution, i.e. of how the national media serve as a forum through which foreign news events are incorporated into domestic policy discourses. Additionally, the course discusses the role of social media in processes in which far-way news events are brought into local political argumentation, thus affecting domestic policies.

Students of the MDP in Global and Trasnational Studies must complete lectures + seminar 10 ECTS.

Other students: it is possible to participate only to the lecture part of the course: lectures + essay 5 ECTS.

Lectures: Max 30 students.

Seminar: Max. 16 students.

Please note that you must enroll separately for the lectures and the seminar.

Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP Global and Transnational Studies

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

This module examines intersectional approaches to human mobility in peace and conflict research. Violent conflicts, ethnic, religious and gender-based discrimination and human rights abuses produce forced displacement. In this course, we will explore the global phenomenon of human mobility in a two-fold manner. We will start by introducing multiple perspectives and actors together with key theoretical and methodological debates. The course then proceeds by situating these debates in a local context. This will be done by engaging the students with migrants and refugees living in the Tampere region.

The course structure will give the students a possibility to connect large-scale phenomena to their local manifestations and implications. The course seeks to facilitate understanding on how theories and abstract concepts shape, direct and resonate with people’s self-conceptions, how conflicts gain transnational dimensions and how forced migration enters into different people’s lives in multiple ways. What kind of connections are formed between peaceful societies and conflict zones through human mobility?

The course work will be preceded by a preliminary task in which students will reflect on their personal connection on the phenomenon of human mobility. Students have to return the assignment before the first lecture. The course consists of a limited number of lectures, a debriefing seminar and a practical project conducted outside the classroom. The students will carry out these practical projects in groups with civil society organizations in the supervision of the teachers. The practical partners and possible working methods have been agreed by the teachers before the course. The results of the student projects will be presented in the final seminar (23rd February 2015). The course will be concluded by writing an individual essay (3-5 pages) that provides a reflection on the working methods and the relation of the practical project to the course topic more generally.

Max. 25 students. Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students (Master's level exchange students will be given priority)

In this module we study different approaches to peace through the examples of specific individuals who have earned recognition for their actions in the cause of peace. Here the term ‘peacebuilder’ is interpreted in a broad sense. The lectures will introduce a selection of individuals, the conflict situations they faced, and the means of their coping with theconflict. These personalities will include some acclaimed peacebuilders and historical figures like Mohandas Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela and Willy Brandt. Their individual positions on non-violence, or their acceptance of qualified violence under certain circumstances, will be discussed. Attention will also be paid to the peacebuilders’ own explanations of their motivations, actions and objectives, and the – potentially different – international perception of their work in hindsight.

Furthermore, each student will present a research paper on a chosen individual and thereby contribute one approach to the complex topic of peacebuilding. Interested students are encouraged to start thinking about the choice of ‘their’ peacebuilder (different from the individuals presented by the teacher) already before the first session. The sources used for the research paper should ideally include original writings and speeches by the selected peacebuilder.

The course primarily targets degree students in the Master’s programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, and secondarily degree students of the Global Society programmes. If places are available, UTA Master’s degree students from other programmes can be selected to the course.

Max. 18 students

World culture is a key term in sociological neoinstitutionalism. But how is it different from local or national culture? What are the various elements of world culture? How do they work to shape my perceptions, actions, and even beliefs about religion or sexuality in my ordinary life? While other courses in the program focus on policy-making, the nation-state, and the media, this course will focus on the “soft side”: the intangible yet highly significant culture of transnationalism. The course will help students see how sociological neoinstitutionalism can unpack otherwise complex, sometimes invisible, global processes through the concept of world culture.

The course begins with in-depth exploration of the concept of world culture. In the first application, students will see how that concept helps make sense of the growth and functioning of international and national civil society, as well as the place of the global human rights discourse. This will include discussions on world cultural aspects of local and global social movements, as well as ethnic constructions. In the second application students will see how religion and, in particular, religious conflicts and fundamentalism, are understood in the prism of world culture. Empirical case studies of cutting-edge research will help contextualize the contents of this module. Finally, in the third application, students will see how world cultural scripts pervade our everyday lives, from our individual sense of self and how to improve it, to the role of culture in our personal relations. This module will include cutting-edge case studies from research into constructions and transnational flows of modern selfhood, as well as Foucault’s texts on the Western self.

In addition to the lectures and seminar sessions in March - May, students are required to participate the visiting lectures by George Thomas and Sigrid Quack on 20 and 21 January.

Max 20 students. All students must complete the full course (10 ECTS). Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP Global and Transnational Studies

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

Course in North American Studies: NAM-VII Methodology

Healthcare: Problems and Potential course will be offered at UTA Summer School 17 - 21 August 2015.

Healthcare: Problems and Potential course will also be organised in period III and IV for the degree students in the Master's programme in Quantitative Social Research. Some places available for other students.

Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

Lecture plus articles, seminar (presenting selected cases).

Students will be accepted to the course in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

In spring 2016 the theme of the course is "Between Russia and the EU: Borders and conflict in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus"

Students will be accepted to the seminar in the following order:

1. degree students of the MDP in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

2. degree students of the other Global Society programmes (MDP in Global and Transnational Studies, MDP in Quantitative Social Research, MDP in Comparative Social Policy and Welfare)

3. other degree students of UTA

4. exchange students

Lectures, visitors, workshops, rehearsals and selected readings.