Postgraduate Diploma in Peacebuilding

Offered part-time over two years using a mix of on-campus and distance education

Planned to commence in mid-2021

While there is no civil war in South Africa, its rankings in terms of homicides, rapes/sexual assaults and violence in schools show that it is one of the world’s leaders in terms of interpersonal violence. This violence permeates South African society, its communities and its institutions and is so common that it has become normalised. In addition, there are very high levels of structural violence, typically measured by income and wealth inequality. These result from policies and programmes that result in the advancement of one socio-economic or ethnic group over others and which are passed on to successive generations. These inequalities breed resentment and anger, and when combined with limited conflict resolution skills, are significant contributors to interpersonal violence. Few would disagree that South Africa is characterised by a culture of violence. Hence, gaining an insight into the nature, causes and consequences of violence is essential if changes in the direction of peace are to happen

There are many professionals, including teachers, social workers, police and correctional service officers, who want to reflect on what they do and make it more effective in terms of building a more peaceful society. In particular, we hope to attract graduates who have a passion to build peace in their own communities and whose contribution could be strengthened by the blend of knowledge and skills that the programme offers.

The programme is targeted primarily at those who want to familiarise themselves with contemporary theories, thinking and practices in the building and management of peace initiatives. In addition, the ‘Research Proposal in Peacebuilding’ module is included to facilitate progression  into a Master’s degree Peacebuilding by research.

Students will complete six modules over two years from the following list:

Peace Studies: Theories & Issues*

 Non-violent Social Change*

Conflict Resolution & Transformation*

Preventing & Responding to Violence

Transformative Education

Trauma and Healing

Advanced Issues in Peacebuilding

Research Proposal in Peacebuilding*

*Compulsory

Further information is available from Professor Geoff Harris geoffreyh@dut.ac.za