Undergraduate level study in Peace and Conflict Studies trains students in the understanding of the causes of political conflict and the possibilities of finding peaceful solutions to them. This requires development of diagnostic tools for the analysis of social and political situations, an understanding of the evaluation of alternative courses of action and a capacity to incorporate and understand values within political analysis. Examples in question range from recent conflicts in East Timor to aboriginal reconciliation. The importance of peace and conflict studies is growing both internationally and within nations as governments and non-government organisations struggle to find ways of resolving conflicts without recourse to violence. The main aims of the Honours year are: To enable students with an adequate background in Peace and Conflict Studies to pursue further study in one specialist area in more depth than is possible with a pass degree; to enhance students' capacity for independent research and to acquire research skills appropriate to their area of specialisation; to train to a standard sufficient for enrolment in postgraduate research degrees, and for a specialist career.