COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: PEACE AND SECURITY

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
PIR 451	C	2	3	0	0	3	7.5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Dr. Reina Shehi rzenelaj@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Dr. Reina Shehi rzenelaj@epoka.edu.al , Every Thursday 12:30-14:30
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Elective
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	Master of Science in Political Science and International Relations
Classroom and Meeting Time:	Thursday 18:00-20:45
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:
Course Description:	-
Course Objectives:	Analyze key theories of peace, security, and conflict in international relations. Critically assess the roles of states, international organizations, and non-state actors in maintaining global security. Evaluate the impact of contemporary security threats, including terrorism, cyberwarfare, and climate-related security challenges. Apply conflict resolution and peacebuilding frameworks to case studies. Conduct research and present evidence-based policy recommendations on security issues.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	peace
2	security
3	conflict management
4	sustainable development
5	international order

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction: Concepts of Peace and Security
2	Conflict Analysis and Early Warning Systems
3	Infrastructures for Peace (I4Ps): A Conceptual Review
4	Energy Policy between War and Peace
5	Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats
6	The Russia-Ukraine War
7	Peace and Transitional Justice
8	Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
9	Midterm Week
10	Climate Change and Environmental Security
11	Evolution of Peace Education
12	Faith and Religion in Peace and Conflict Studies
13	Gender and Security
14	Concluding Remarks

Prerequisite(s):	N/A
Textbook(s):
Additional Literature:	https://peaceobservatory.com/ https://vlaamsvredesinstituut.eu/en/
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	Students will understand and critically analyze key concepts and theories of peace and security in international relations.
2	They will evaluate the causes, dynamics, and resolution strategies of conflicts at local, regional, and global levels.
3	Students will assess the roles of states, international organizations, and non-state actors in maintaining peace and security.
4	They will conduct research and communicate evidence-based policy recommendations on contemporary security challenges.

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
Master of Science in Political Science and International Relations Program
1	Having and using advanced knowledge and comprehension supported by textbooks including actual knowledge in political sciences and international relations literature, materials and the other scientific resources.	5
2	Analyzing data, ideas and concepts of current political issues and international relations, determining complex events and topics, making discussions and developing new suggestions in accordance with researches.	5
3	Having knowledge and thought about actual topics and problems together with their historical, social and cultural aspects.	4
4	Introducing those who are interested in politics and international events with the topics of Political Science and IR and teaching clearly the problems and the types of solutions.	5
5	Improving skills of working together with the main social science disciplines and other disciplines which are related to Political Science and International Relations.	3
6	Improving critical thinking and skills in making research independently.	5
7	Developing solutions about the problems and conflicts which are common in national and international arena.	5
8	Improving skills for leadership and research and analyze capacity of those who is responsible with national and international ones.	3
9	Knowing any foreign language enough to communicate with colleagues and understand actual researches and articles.	4
10	Gaining IT skills to use computer and technology) in order to reach actual knowledge.	1
11	Gaining skills to follow societal, scientific and ethic values during collecting, interpreting, conducting of data related to social and political developments.	5
12	Having consciousness about human rights and environment.	5
13	Gaining the skills to follow actual developments and pursue long-life learning.	5

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Presentation	2	25
Case Study	5	10
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	16	4	64
Mid-terms	1	24.5	24.5
Assignments	2	13	26
Final examination	1	25	25
Other			0
Total Work Load:			187.5
Total Work Load/25(h):			7.5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			7.5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER