INT6100 The Nobel Peace Prize and Its Laureates. Determination, Faith & Hope in Striving Towards Peace (10 sp)
This course examines the Nobel Peace Prize, its history, values, and significance. Students explore Alfred Nobel’s vision, selected laureates, and how the prize can inspire action for peace in today’s world.
About the Course
The Nobel Peace Prize is arguably the world’s most prestigious political award – maybe the most prestigious award overall – and it engenders debate, inspiration, and controversy every time it is handed out. Where does the prize come from, what does it represent and advocate, and who gets it? And not least: How can and should it inspire young people to action for peace?
We will primarily analyze the following four themes during the course, with the aid of readings, lectures, and classroom discussions:
- Nobel and his will: What does it say, which values does it advocate, and how can it be interpreted today?
- The idea of peace as it is expressed through the history of the peace prize.
- Selected laureates from Nobel history: who were they, and what did they advocate?
- This year’s prize: What does it represent, and how can it spur us to concrete action, under the motto of “Think Globally, Act Locally”?
Learning outcomes
The candidate…
Knowledge
- has knowledge of the background to and historical development of the Nobel Peace Prize.
- is familiar with the biography and ideas of Alfred Nobel and a selection of laureates.
- has a general understanding of the process of nominating and selecting the laureates.
- has knowledge about the will of Alfred Nobel and the controversies and debates related to the interpretation of his will.
- can define, evaluate, and explain the concept of peace, and how the prize has influenced our understanding of peace.
Skills
- can assess the significance and impact of the prize itself both in global and local contexts.
- can evaluate and discuss the laureates.
- can critically discuss peace as a concept and to what extent the prize has redefined peace across diverse cultural communities.
- can collaborate in generating replicable models of civic engagement inspired by peace advocacy leadership, demonstrated by Nobel Peace laureates.
- can identify and develop concrete initiatives inspired by the Nobel Peace Prize that promote civic engagement at the local level.
- can engage in local projects inspired by the peace prize.
- can prepare ways in which to realize the ideas of peace encompassed by the prize awarded during the semester that the course is given, through project(s) that can be realized at one’s own college.
Competence
- has insight into and can actively participate in discussions about the Nobel Peace Prize.
- can use relevant literature to study biographies and backgrounds to the prizes.
- can employ critical thinking on a broad range of issues related to peace.
Course Requirements
- Compulsory attendance and participation (minimum 70% attendance. Participation as specified in the course information in Qybele) (pass/fail).
- Presentation (pass/fail).
Exams
- Written essay (40 % of grade, grading system A – F).
- Online exam (60 % of the grade, grading system A – F).