Peace Studies at the University of Basel, Switzerland
PEACE STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BASEL, SWITZERLAND
"Peace is not everything, but without peace, everything is nothing." Willy Brandt
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
The World Peace Academy (WPA), in cooperation with the Advanced Study Center at the University of Basel, offers a 9 month full time Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Peace and Conflict Transformation every year from March-November.
Students can begin the program either in March, June or September each year. It is also possible to obtain an Advanced Certificate for 12 weeks of courses, or to take individual 1-week courses. The program is accredited by the University of Basel, which issues the MAS diplomas. All courses are taught in English by leading specialists in their field from around the world, including Johan Galtung, founder of the academic discipline of peace studies.
Imagine studying psychoanalysis with Sigmund Freud, relativity theory with Albert Einstein, economics with Adam Smith, celestial mechanics with Isaac Newton, geometry with Euclid, medicine with Hippocrates--or peace studies with Johan Galtung.
The WPA program is designed to provide students with the intellectual competence to analyze conflicts and their underlying causes and practical skills in reconciliation, conflict transformation and peacebuilding. The curriculum covers all aspects of peace--not only military, but also political, economic and cultural. It combines theory with practice. Its faculty includes some of the best teachers from around the world from a wide variety of disciplines. Students come from around the world, including many conflict regions.
CURRICULUM: The program consists of 10 modules: Introduction to the Scientific Methodology of Peace Studies; Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding; Regional Conflicts and Peace Initiatives; International Relations and International Law; From National to Human Security; Peace Education and Ethics; Human Rights, Gender and Democratization; Sustainable Development and Its Contributions to Peace; Peace Culture, Religions and the Media; and Development of Key Competencies for Peace Workers. This last module, which meets for 2 days every month throughout the program, is a special feature not yet offered elsewhere. It emphasizes the development of such personal competencies as responsibility, empathy, creativity, commitment, and inner peace.
The program includes lectures, seminars, exercises, group activities, excursions, self study, library research and writing papers. For a course calendar, course descriptions and biographical notes about our faculty members, see www.world-peace-academy.ch
LOCATION: The University of Basel, founded in 1460, is Switzerland's oldest university. It has about 11'000 students and over 300 faculty members. The university library has over 3 million books and is one of the largest in Switzerland. Basel has 170'000 inhabitants, a lively culture, and is located where Switzerland, Germany and France meet.
INTENDED AUDIENCE: The program is addressed to students from any discipline interested in peace and conflict resolution, including NGO members, diplomats, government officials, international civil servants, teachers, journalists, social workers, lawyers, officers, psychologists, artists. A first university degree (bachelor's or equivalent) is required, or comparable professional experience.
DEGREES: Students who complete the full program of 9 months of courses and write a thesis obtain a Master of Advanced Studies in Peace and Conflict Transformation issued by the University of Basel, worth 70 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS corresponds to about 30 hours of study (in class and self-study). An MAS differs from a Master of Arts (MA) program, which typically lasts two years, requires 120 ECTS and is normally accepted as a basis for continuing with a Ph.D. program. It is also possible to study part time over 2 3 years. Those who complete 12 weeks of selected courses obtain an Advanced Certificate in Peace and Conflict Transformation from the World Peace Academy. It is also possible to take individual courses, lasting one week each.
COSTS: 15'000 Swiss Francs (currently about 12'000 Euro or 17'000 US dollars) tuition for 9 months of study, including thesis advisement. For part-time students, costs are 250 Swiss Francs per ECTS. Rooms cost about 500 Swiss Francs per month. Meals, health insurance and travel costs are extra.
SCHOLARSHIPS: A limited number of partial scholarships is available on a competitive basis. We receive many applications, particularly from conflict regions and developing countries, but many of those applicants cannot afford to study in Switzerland. Therefore, a Circle of Friends has been formed (www.friends wpa.ch) that seeks to endow a scholarship fund. This is an excellent investment in peace. Studying abroad can bring about a fundamental change, not only in the life and future career of the students, but sometimes even in their whole society. For example, in 1958, Alexander Yakovlev was one of the first Soviet recipients of a Fulbright scholarship to study a year in the United States. In 1985, he became Gorbachev's key adviser on perestroika, glasnost and democratization, and thus helped end the communist dictatorships not only in the Soviet Union, but also in the former Soviet satellites in Eastern Europe. That scholarship probably contributed more to ending the Cold War than billions that the United States spent for weapons, which only aggravated tensions.
WHEN TO APPLY: WPA has a rolling admission policy. You can apply at any time before the beginning of a trimester (March, June, September) and if you qualify and space is left, you will be admitted. Those who need a Swiss visa are advised to apply at least 10 weeks in advance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY, see www.world-peace-academy.ch, or write to <info@world peace academy.ch>
Prof. Dr. Dietrich Fischer
Academic Director, World Peace Academy
Güterstrasse 81, CH 4053 Basel, Switzerland
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