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Unit outline_

PACS6902: Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation

Semester 1, 2022 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
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: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Class participation
class participation
10% Ongoing ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflection assignment
Assignment
30% Week 05
Due date: 25 Mar 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Class participation: Students will be assessed on their participation in class discussions, including both live chats and discussion boards, and 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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is reconciliation? Personal, cultural and religious perspectives Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Theories and models of reconciliation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Sydney Peace Prize Lecture: Uluru Statement from the Heart (in person if you can be in Sydney) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Indigenous/Settler Reconciliation: Voice, Treaty, Truth and Healing Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Restorative justice and reconciliation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Reconciliation, transitional justice and peacebuilding Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Reconciling the Ecological Divide Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Truth Commissions and Reconciliation in South Africa Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Justice and reconciliation in Rwanda Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Peru: Trauma and the Commission of Truth and Reconciliation Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Timor Leste: Community Reconciliation Process Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Bougainville and Mozambique: Spirits, Rituals and Reconciliation Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Reconciliation by whom, with whom and for whom? Online class (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Reflections and Review: Why Reconciliation? Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

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 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.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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.

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.