Courses

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CPCS provides a range of courses to support the learning needs of students, researchers, analysts and practitioners seeking to develop and strengthen the connection of theory and practice. Courses currently available through CPCS are:

Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) Masters Programme
Peace Research Methodology Course (PRMC)
Trauma, Trauma Healing and Transformation

Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS)

The CPCS offers the Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (Asia) course in partnership with Pannasastra University, Phnom Penh and Responding to Conflict (RTC) in the UK. The course focuses on conflict-transformation and aims to bridge the gap between academic research and the wealth of experience that exists on the ground. The course is a two year accredited Masters program, offering residential seminars every three months along with action research assignments focused on the practitioners' regular work. The course is based in Cambodia. ACTS is rooted in the work and experiences of its participants, developing participants' practical skills and creating new theory from their own experience.

ACTS Brochure

For more information about ACTS click here

Trauma, Trauma Healing and Transformation

March 12 – 17, 2012, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This course is designed to provide participants with a thorough overview of the complex issues of trauma, trauma healing and transformation within socio-historical contexts. Participants will explore the social-psychological-neurobiological-physical-spiritual processes of responding to deep personal loss, pain and suffering in settings of protracted, violent conflict, including natural disaster. They will alsoexamine recently developed approaches to the healing of individuals and communities as they move from violence or war to justpeace. Participants will explore the theoretical bases through narratives and case examples from a variety of international settings and engage in practical exercises to demonstrate approaches to trauma recovery. This course specifically aims tointegrate trauma transformation into the larger justice and peacebuilding field, since unhealed trauma often continues the cycle of violence. It is expected that participants will bring a general understanding of these issues and be prepared to address them theoretically and practically. Learning process for this course involves a collaborative, interactive effort by the instructor and participants through a format that includes lectures, hands-on activities, role-plays, dialogue, and circle process.

Course Objectives

1. To develop a critical awareness of the theory and practice of trauma, trauma recovery, identity issues and the process of transformation.

2. To introduce and examine frameworks of trauma recovery for individuals, families and communities who have been traumatized in various settings, with a particular emphasis of protracted, violent conflict.

3. To explore and enhance the self-awareness of a trauma healer practitioner as well as provide tools and options for intervention.

4. To provide an opportunity for participants to pursue issues in the broad arena of the trauma field of interest to them.

5. To survey the basic literature available in the field of trauma, trauma recovery, posttraumatic growth and transformation.

Dr. Al Fuertes is an assistant professor at New Century College,George Mason University (GMU) where he teaches courses in Refugee and Internal Displacement, Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Divided Communities, Spirituality and Conflict Transformation, and Conflict, Trauma, and Healing. Dr. Fuertesspecializes in community-based trauma healing as an integral component of peacebuilding. He travels to communities affected by war, armed conflict, and natural disaster and works with government, religious, military, and community leaders, as well as NGO development workers, school administrators, teachers, youth, refugees, and internally displaced persons. Dr. Fuertes was a recipient of the 2008 GMU Teaching Excellence Award and the 2001 AT&T Asia-Pacific Leadership Award. He is the author of the book, Community-Based Warviews, Resiliency and Healing: The Case of the Internally Displaced Persons in Mindanao and the Karen Refugees on the Thai-Burmese Border. Dr. Fuertes holds Master's degree in Peace Studies from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University.

Course fee: USD 500 (cover 6 day course, accommodation, breakfasts and lunches, air port pick up)

No scholarships available. Airfare is responsibility of participant.

Course Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Arrival day: March 11th, 2012; departure: March 17th evening

Registration closes: February 29th, 2012

To register for this program please email your interest and CV to:

Emma Leslie, Director, Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies

emmacambodia@gmail.com

Peace Research Methodology Course (PRMC)

The Peace Research Methodology Course (PRMC) was last held in April 2011 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. PRMC is a two-week intensive foundation-level course that has been developed to teach, in a simple and practical way, the main ideas that guide research in the broad area of social sciences, particularly related to peace. The course aims to introduce peace research methodologies to participants through the study of social science research methods and their application within peace studies, peace practice and peace research, and support the development of research activity amongst peace practitioners. To date, CPCS has hosted the Peace Research Methodology Course for Cambodia, Myanmar, Afghanistan and India.

PRMC Brochure