Gender, Violence and Post-Conflict States from edX

Understanding the gendered dynamics of violence in conflict and post-conflict situations is crucial to anyone considering a career in international development. In this course you will learn about the gendered dynamics of different types of violence, restorative justice, Apartheid, peacekeeping, and international policy frameworks on sexual and gender-based violence.

Taught by acclaimed international experts in collaboration with GRÓ GEST, this course will bring a gender lens to complex issues in international development that will allow you to analyze and address political conflict situations in ways that are more just and inclusive.

What you'll learn

To distinguish between types of physical violence and their narrative construction. How violence contributes to collective identity formation.
How conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (CRSV) became acknowledged internationally.
The theoretical basics of Restorative Justice.
The gendered nature of violence in South Africa during Apartheid.
How Peacekeeping works and how it is a gendered practice.
The ins and outs of normative and policy frameworks on gender, peace and security.

What's inside

Learning objectives

To distinguish between types of physical violence and their narrative construction. how violence contributes to collective identity formation.
How conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (crsv) became acknowledged internationally.
The theoretical basics of restorative justice.

The gendered nature of violence in south africa during apartheid.
How peacekeeping works and how it is a gendered practice.
The ins and outs of normative and policy frameworks on gender, peace and security.

To distinguish between types of physical violence and their narrative construction. how violence contributes to collective identity formation.
How conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (crsv) became acknowledged internationally.
The theoretical basics of restorative justice.
The gendered nature of violence in south africa during apartheid.
How peacekeeping works and how it is a gendered practice.
The ins and outs of normative and policy frameworks on gender, peace and security.

Syllabus

Week 1: The course begins by introducing learners to different kinds of violence in armed conflict, noting how the notion of narrative construction is an important theoretical tool for understanding violence in global contexts.

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Examines the complex gendered dynamics of violence and conflict, essential for those working in international development

Taught by highly respected experts in the field, including GRÓ GEST

Brings a gender lens to intricate issues, enabling learners to analyze and address conflict more inclusively

Covers restorative justice, peacekeeping, international policy frameworks, and the gendered nature of violence in Apartheid South Africa

Provides foundational knowledge for those new to the topic and strengthens understanding for those with some experience

Requires no prerequisites and is suitable for beginners

Reviews summary

Gender lens for conflict analysis

According to learners, this course offers an incredibly insightful and academically rigorous exploration of gender, violence, and post-conflict states, proving deeply relevant for careers in human rights and international development. Students found the lectures well-structured and the instructors to be experts, particularly praising the detailed discussion on CRSV, powerful Apartheid case study, and comprehensive policy frameworks. While generally positive, some mentioned uneven pacing and that the academic language can be dense, suggesting it's best for those with some prior academic exposure rather than complete beginners.

Rigorous academic content presented in an accessible format.

"Highly recommend this course. It's academically rigorous but presented in an accessible way."

"The course materials are strong... the theoretical grounding is solid."

"It's academically rigorous, and I found the discussion on narrative construction of violence fascinating."

Taught by knowledgeable and articulate experts.

"The instructors were clearly experts in their fields."

"The instructors are very knowledgeable. My only critique would be that some of the academic language was a bit dense..."

"This course exceeded my expectations. The instructors are passionate and articulate."

Offers in-depth analysis of key topics and policy frameworks.

"I particularly appreciated the detailed discussion on CRSV and the policy frameworks."

"A very comprehensive course on a critical topic. The content on restorative justice was a great addition."

"The depth of analysis on SGBV and its international recognition was top-notch. It truly equips you with a gender lens."

Provides crucial insights for international development careers.

"This course was incredibly insightful and deeply relevant to my work in human rights."

"Absolutely brilliant! The focus on gendered dynamics in post-conflict states is so important and often overlooked."

"The content is vital for anyone working in peacebuilding or development."

Some found pacing uneven and forum engagement low.

"The course has good intentions, but some of the lectures felt a bit rushed, especially towards the end..."

"I also found the discussion forums less active than I hoped, which made it harder to engage with other learners."

"Interesting subject matter, but the pacing felt uneven. Some weeks were very heavy with readings and lectures, others less so."

May be challenging for those without prior academic background.

"I found the course challenging to follow at times due to the highly academic language... Not for complete beginners, in my opinion."

"My only critique would be that some of the academic language was a bit dense for someone new to the field..."

"I felt it presupposed too much prior knowledge in certain areas."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Gender, Violence and Post-Conflict States with these activities:

Compile a Collection of Relevant Resources

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Help yourself stay organized by consolidating informative resources for future reference.

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Identify and gather articles, videos, and websites related to the course topics
Create a digital or physical folder to store the compiled resources
Annotate or summarize the resources to enhance understanding

Engage in Discussions on Violence Dynamics

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Solidify your understanding of violence dynamics by actively participating in discussions.

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Prepare by reading and reflecting on course materials
Attend online or in-person discussion sessions
Actively participate by sharing insights and asking clarifying questions

Summarize Concepts Briefly

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Practice summarizing each week's main ideas in a few sentences to improve retention.

Browse courses on Restorative Justice

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Take 15 minutes at the end of each class to write a summary of the key concepts covered.

Three other activities

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Review Notes, Quizzes, and Exams

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Review course materials regularly to identify areas that need further study and improve retention.

Browse courses on Restorative Justice

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Gather all notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Read through the materials and make sure you understand the concepts.
Identify any areas where you need further study.

Develop a Policy Framework Proposal

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Apply your knowledge of policy frameworks by drafting a proposal that addresses gender-based violence in international development.

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Research and analyze existing policy frameworks and international guidelines
Identify gaps or areas for improvement in current policies
Develop a comprehensive proposal outline
Draft the policy framework proposal

Write a Position Paper

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Develop a deeper understanding of a specific topic through research and writing.

Browse courses on Restorative Justice

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Choose a topic that you are interested in.
Research the topic and gather evidence to support your position.
Write a clear and concise position paper.

Career center

Learners who complete Gender, Violence and Post-Conflict States will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Peace and Conflict Studies Researcher

Peace and Conflict Studies Researchers typically require a PhD. This course not only trains people to think like a researcher, but it also provides the historical background and policy frameworks that will prepare you to apply for a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies. You will get a chance to study a riveting case study — Apartheid in South Africa — and gain an understanding of Restorative Justice, an increasingly important field in Peace and Conflict Studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Peace and Conflict Studies Researcher

Gender Studies Professor

Gender Studies Professors typically require a PhD and often teach in Women's Studies departments. If you plan to apply to a program that requires a research focus, this course will prepare you well for both the research and teaching that goes on in this field, which requires a strong foundation in international politics, policy, and human rights. This course will provide you with a deep knowledge of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence (CRSV) that will benefit any student who goes on to further study in this field, whether for a master's or doctorate program.

See salaries and explore the career path for Gender Studies Professor

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts are increasingly expected to have graduate degrees. This course will introduce you to international policy frameworks on sexual and gender-based violence. This will be extremely valuable in this role, as you will be working with stakeholders such as international development agencies to make recommendations on policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists typically require at least a bachelor's degree. This course will help you understand the role that gender inequality and violence play in the development of societies. You will also learn about international policy frameworks on sexual and gender-based violence, a critical area of focus for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Specialist

Human Rights Lawyer

Human Rights Lawyers typically require a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctorate. If you plan to focus on international policy and peace and conflict studies, this course will provide you with critical background knowledge on Restorative Justice, international policy frameworks, and conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence.

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Social Worker

Social Workers typically require a bachelor's degree. If you are interested in working with victims of war and conflict, this course will help you understand the different types of violence in armed conflict. You will also learn about the theoretical basics of Restorative Justice.

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Conflict Resolution Specialist

Conflict Resolution Specialists typically require a master's degree. This course will help you understand the different types of violence in armed conflict. You will also learn about the theoretical basics of Restorative Justice, an increasingly important tool for conflict resolution.

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Mediator

Mediators typically require a bachelor's degree and often get additional training through organizations like the American Bar Association. This course will introduce you to Restorative Justice, an increasingly important element of mediation in many settings and in particular in conflict resolution for communities suffering from political violence. Studying the gendered nature of violence in South Africa during Apartheid will prove extremely valuable to work in countries that are healing from political trauma.

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Diplomat

Diplomats typically require a bachelor's degree. This course will introduce you to the history, effectiveness, and gendered dynamics of peacekeeping. This knowledge will be valuable for any diplomat who works in areas where peacekeepers are deployed.

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Journalist

Journalists typically require a bachelor's degree. If you are interested in reporting on conflict and post-conflict issues, this course will help you understand the gendered dynamics of violence in conflict and post-conflict situations.

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Nonprofit Executive

Nonprofit Executives typically require a master's degree in public administration or nonprofit management. This course will introduce you to the history, effectiveness, and gendered dynamics of peacekeeping. This knowledge will be valuable for any Nonprofit Executive who works for an organization that assists governments in peacekeeping operations.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers typically require a bachelor's degree. If you are interested in writing grants for organizations that work on gender, peace, and security, this course will provide you with a solid foundation in the normative and policy frameworks that guide political decision-making on this issue.

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Policy Analyst for a Human Rights Organization

Policy Analysts for Human Rights Organizations typically require a master's degree. This course will provide you with grounding in the normative and policy frameworks that guide political decision-making on sexual and gender-based violence in international development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst for a Human Rights Organization

Program Manager for an International Development Organization

Program Managers for International Development Organizations typically require a master's degree. This course will introduce you to the topic of peacekeeping and its history, effectiveness, and gendered dynamics. This knowledge will be valuable for any Program Manager who works for an organization that utilizes peacekeepers to support their mission.

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Social Media Specialist for a Social Justice Organization

Social Media Specialists for Social Justice Organizations typically require a bachelor's degree. This course will provide you with an understanding of the gendered nature of violence in conflict and post-conflict situations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Specialist for a Social Justice Organization