PACS6902: Semester 1, 2022

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units PACS6902 Semester 1 2022 [Normal evening]

Unit of study_

PACS6902: Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal evening] - Remote

Overview

In this unit we explore the concept of reconciliation and its relationship to conflict transformation and peacebuilding at personal, community, national and international levels. We will use case studies to highlight the psychological, spiritual, cultural, structural and political dimensions of reconciliation in different contexts such as indigenous/settler relations, restorative justice processes and transitional justice after mass violence.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	PACS6902
Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Wendy Lambourne, wendy.lambourne@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon, vivianna.rodriguezcarreon@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Final essay Essay	60%	Formal exam period Due date: 14 Jun 2022 at 23:59	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Class participation class participation	10%	Ongoing	ongoing
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection assignment Assignment	30%	Week 05 Due date: 25 Mar 2022 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Class participation: Students will be assessed on their participation in class discussions providing evidence of reading and thoughtful reflection on key topics and themes.
Reflection assignment: What does reconciliation mean to you? Students are required to reflect on the meaning of reconciliation taking into account cultural, religious, language and/or gender perspectives.
Final essay: For this assignment students are required to write a scholarly essay critically analysing the theory and practice of reconciliation processes in a particular conflict or context, including suggestions for alternative approaches and considering issues of participation, design and impact.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What is reconciliation? Personal, religious and cultural perspectives	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Theories and Models of Reconciliation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Sydney Peace Prize Lecture - Uluru Statement from the Heart	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Indigenous/Settler Reconciliation in Australia: Voice, Treaty, Truth and Healing	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Restorative Justice and Reconciliation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Reconciliation, Transitional Justice and Peacebuilding	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Reconciling the Ecological Divide	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Truth Commissions and Reconciliation in South Africa	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	Justice and Reconciliation in Rwanda	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	Peru: Trauma and the Commission of Truth and Reconciliation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Timor Leste: Community Reconciliation Process	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	Bougainville and Mozambique: Spirits, Rituals and Reconciliation	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Reconciliation by whom, for whom and with whom?	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Reflections and Review: Why reconciliation?	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: All Zoom online classes will be recorded and links to the recordings made available to students on Canvas. However, you should not rely on these recordings to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The full detailed session schedule with required and recommended readings listed for each session is available on the Canvas site, along with links to additional resources.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. analyse the concepts of reconciliation and justice and begin to understand how they interact and contribute to conflict transformation and peacebuilding
LO2. develop an awareness of the complexities and contradictions involved in trying to promote reconciliation, including the influences of race, culture, gender and religion
LO3. critically assess the design and impact of mechanisms and processes that are intended to promote reconciliation and conflict transformation, including reference to both theory and practice.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Following student feedback this unit has been moved from being an intensive to a longer teaching period and space between classes, and the assessment tasks have been amended to remove the in-class role play assessment task. Students have particularly appreciated the range and depth of case studies, guest lecturers and class discussions which will be retained in future running of the course.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Optional on-campus sessions will be made available in compliance with relevant COVID-19 health and safety regulations and guidelines.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect