M13: Conflict, Peace & Reconciliation Studies
Conflict Studies is an interdisciplinary research discipline that examines the causes, dynamics, manifestations, and impacts of social, political, religious, or cultural conflicts. The aim is to analyze conflict structures and to understand mechanisms of escalation as well as approaches to conflict management.
Peace Studies deals with the conditions, concepts, and strategies for promoting and securing sustainable peace. It examines political, social, religious, and cultural factors that contribute to the prevention of violence, the stabilization of societies, and the development of peaceful coexistence.
Reconciliation Studies analyzes processes of dealing with experiences of violence and conflict, as well as pathways to restoring trust, justice, and social cohesion. It combines historical, theological, psychological, and social science approaches to research processes of transformation and healing in post-conflict settings.
Conflict, Peace & Reconciliation Studies in the Master's Program MA Eastern Christian Studies
The module M13: Conflict, Peace and Reconciliation Studies consists of three learning units:
- M13.1: [Placeholder] (1 ECTS)
- M13.2: Narrative Transformation Processes Reflected in the Hagia Sophia (1 ECTS)
- M13.3: [Placeholder] (2 ECTS)
The required assessment is an essayistic blog post (1 ECTS).
The module comprises a total of 5 ECTS.
Course Content
- Theological, historical, and social foundations of conflict, peace, and reconciliation in the context of the Christian East
- Analysis of religious, cultural, and political conflict factors in the regions of the Middle East, India, the Caucasus, North Africa, and Eastern Europe
- The role of churches and religious institutions in conflict resolution, peace processes, and interreligious dialogue
- Theological and ethical concepts of violence, justice, peace, and reconciliation within the Eastern Churches
- Biblical and patristic foundations of Christian peace ethics compared to modern approaches in peace and conflict research
- Models and theories of conflict transformation, mediation, and restorative justice
- Case studies of ecclesiastical and civil society peace initiatives in the East and West
- Memory, trauma, and healing: Religion and collective memory in post-war societies
- Interdisciplinary perspectives from theology, sociology, political science, and anthropology
- Practice-oriented reflection: Designing dialogue and reconciliation processes in multireligious contexts
- The significance of peace and reconciliation work for ecumenism, interreligious understanding, and social responsibility
Learning Objectives and Competences
- Students possess in-depth knowledge of the causes of conflict, peace processes, and reconciliation initiatives within the cultural, religious, and political contexts of the Christian East.
- They understand the complex interactions between religion, ethnicity, politics, and society in historical and contemporary conflicts in the regions of the Middle East, India, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and North Africa.
- They are familiar with central theoretical approaches and models of peace and conflict research (e.g., conflict transformation, non-violence, restorative justice, reconciliation studies) and can apply them to ecclesiastical and social contexts.
- They can analyze the religious, theological, and ethical dimensions of conflict and peace in the thought and actions of the Eastern Churches.
- They recognize the role of churches, monasteries, theologians, and ecclesiastical organizations as actors in conflict management, peace promotion, and reconciliation.
- They are able to critically examine and evaluate case studies of ecclesiastical peace work and interreligious understanding.
- They can argumentatively develop and justify their own positions on theological and ethical questions regarding violence, peace, and reconciliation.
- They apply interdisciplinary methods from theology, religious studies, political science, ethnology, and sociology to understand complex conflict situations.
- They develop sensitivity toward cultural, religious, and emotional factors in processes of trauma, memory, and healing.
- They are able to critically reflect on and practically apply specific approaches to peace and reconciliation work in ecclesiastical, civil society, or international contexts.
- They can contribute theological and ethical perspectives of peace-oriented thought to current discourses on human rights, interreligious dialogue, and social responsibility.
M13.1: [Placeholder]
Course Instructor
N. N.
Academic Cycle and Workload
The learning unit is offered every winter semester. It comprises 1 SWS (= 0.5 ECTS) of digital self-guided learning (with synchronous meetings) and approximately the same amount of independent preparation and follow-up time (= 0.5 ECTS).
M13.2: Narrative Transformation Processes Reflected in the Hagia Sophia
Course Instructor
Mag. theol. Philipp Endres
Research Assistant
Chair of Theology of the Christian East
Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
![[Translate to English:] Endres](/fileadmin/_processed_/a/0/csm_csm_Philipp_Endres_e9b04b4c3e_fd35e40307.webp)
The course invites participants to read the eventful history of the Hagia Sophia as a mirror of religious, cultural, and political transformation processes, while exploring how narratives of conflict, identity, and reconciliation emerge historically and continue to have an impact into the present.
The course invites participants to read the eventful history of the Hagia Sophia as a mirror of religious, cultural, and political transformation processes, while exploring how narratives of conflict, identity, and reconciliation emerge historically and continue to have an impact into the present.
Academic Cycle and Workload
The learning unit is offered every winter semester. It comprises 1 SWS (= 0.5 ECTS) of digital self-guided learning (with synchronous meetings) and approximately the same amount of independent preparation and follow-up time (= 0.5 ECTS).
M13.3: [Placeholder]
Course Instructor
N. N.
Academic Cycle and Workload
The learning unit is offered every winter semester. It comprises 2 SWS (= 1 ECTS) of digital self-guided learning (with synchronous meetings) and approximately the same amount of independent preparation and follow-up time (= 1 ECTS).
