This course surveys contemporary approaches conflict and post-conflict analysis. Students will gain an understanding of these approaches and apply them to a range of protracted conflicts in contemporary global politics. While the course will consider historical peace settlements, the primary focus will be on intra-state and regional conflicts that have endured in the last two decades. The course begins with a critical survey of current approaches including: early warning, conflict prevention, management, resolution and reconciliation before introducing the relatively new field of conflict transformation theory. Conflict transformation theory recognises the complexity of conflict dynamics (not having neat beginnings, middles and endings) and challenges the effectiveness of management and resolution approaches. Peace settlement and management strategies themselves have often been the source of deep resentment and justification for further violence. A transformational approach argues that protracted conflicts require more than the redistribution of material resources or reframing of positions into resolved outcomes. The approach builds upon a deeper analysis of identity of stakeholders, issues, historical grievances, structural factors and divergent world views. The assessment evaluates: (1) knowledge of conflict analysis theory; (2) application and understanding to a major case study and; (3) policy relevant skills in developing a peacebuilding strategy.