MPSE-006 IGNOU Guess Paper 2026-27

Course Scope and Syllabus Overview for MPSE-006: Peace and Conflict Studies

IGNOU’s MPSE-006: Peace and Conflict Studies offers a rigorous examination of theoretical frameworks, historical dynamics, and institutional mechanisms shaping global and regional peace processes. As part of the Master of Arts (Political Sciences) curriculum under the School of Social Sciences, this course bridges political theory, international relations, and conflict resolution. Students analyze foundational concepts like peace, conflict, and security while exploring real-world applications—from United Nations peacekeeping to Gandhian nonviolence and asymmetrical warfare. The syllabus integrates empirical case studies, normative ethics, and functional approaches, ensuring students develop analytical skills critical for careers in diplomacy, policy, and humanitarian work.

Key Syllabus Units and Topics

• Unit-1 Peace and Conflict Studies: Nature and Scope: Examines the philosophical and interdisciplinary foundations of peace studies, distinguishing between positive and negative peace, and critiques traditional security paradigms.
• Unit-3 Nature and Forms of Conflict: Classifies conflicts into intra-state, inter-state, and global dimensions, analyzing their drivers—economic, ideological, and territorial—while linking them to historical examples like the Cold War.
• Unit-7 UN System: Pacific Settlement of Disputes: Focuses on the UN’s dispute resolution mechanisms, including the International Court of Justice and diplomatic negotiations, and evaluates their effectiveness in post-WWII conflicts.
• Unit-13 The Gandhian Approach: Critically assesses Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence and satyagraha, comparing it with modern conflict resolution strategies in South Asia and beyond.
• Unit-15 Peace Research and Peace Movements: Surveys global peace movements (e.g., anti-nuclear campaigns) and methodologies in peace research, emphasizing the role of civil society in shaping policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the marking scheme for the MPSE-006 Term-End Examination (TEE), and how are internal assignments weighted?
A: The TEE carries 100 marks, with assignments contributing 30% of the total evaluation. Internal assignments are graded based on critical analysis, theoretical application, and adherence to IGNOU guidelines, typically released in the first term.

Q: Are there recurring question patterns in MPSE-006 exams, and which units are most frequently tested?
A: Units on UN peacekeeping (Unit-8), conflict theories (Unit-4), and Gandhian approaches (Unit-13) appear consistently. Prior years’ question papers reveal a 30% overlap in core concepts, with essay-type questions favoring comparative analyses of war types and peace mechanisms.