The geography of conflict

This module introduces students to the issue of conflict, a concept that can be challenging to teach. A particular focus is the extent to which conflict can influence, and be influenced by, geography. Through the study of historical and contemporary conflicts on a range of scales, each lesson encourages students to develop an awareness of the causes and impacts of conflict, and of the interconnectedness that results in links between conflict and their own lives. The module includes the following lessons: Conflict today: Students define and differentiate between the concepts of conflict and war, considering the scale and chronology of conflicts and the idea that the pattern of conflict in the world today can be mapped. The causes of conflict: Students consider these causes and apply their knowledge of them to consideration of where and why conflicts might arise in the future. The issue of climate change is explored as a contemporary cause of conflict through the example of water resource shortages in Darfur, western Sudan. The impact of conflict on geography: Students draw on historical knowledge to consider the new geography of Europe that emerged after World War I, before applying this to other conflicts which have had an impact on political boundaries. The impact of geography on conflict: Focusing on the case study of Iraq, this lesson encourages students to consider and explain the influence that the physical landscape can have on successful battle strategy. The impact of conflict on development: Students conduct an enquiry into the impact that the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan has had on the development of the country. They write up their results in the form of a report for the BBC News website, and participate in peer assessment of each other's work. Conflict and me: Students consider and explain the links between themselves and conflict in different parts of the world, for example the supply of coltan for mobile phone manufacture from the Democratic Republic of Congo.