Sage Publications

UN Peace Operations

6 days left! Get $70+ in savings and build skills with Coursera Plus. Save 40% for 3 months.

Sage Publications

UN Peace Operations

Sage Instructors

Instructor: Sage Instructors

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Explore the legal and doctrinal evolution of UN peacekeeping

  • Understand peace operations in post-independence and post-authoritarian contexts

  • Analyze the integration of human rights in peacekeeping missions

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

September 2026

Assessments

13 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 12 modules in this course

This module explores the legal foundations of the United Nations, focusing on the UN Charter's role in shaping peacekeeping operations. It examines key historical developments and the evolving interpretation of international law regarding collective security and state sovereignty.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

This module explores the United Nations' role in decolonization and its responses to post-independence crises from 1962 to 2012. Learners will analyze the effectiveness of UN missions and understand the challenges faced by newly independent states. The focus is on how the UN facilitated transitions to self-governance and managed regional conflicts.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of the United Nations in peacekeeping during and after the Cold War, focusing on key operations, their challenges, and their impact on global conflict resolution. Learners will analyze case studies of UN missions and evaluate their effectiveness in promoting stability and peace.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of the United Nations in managing intrastate conflicts, focusing on peacekeeping strategies, post-conflict recovery, and the impact of such missions on global stability. Learners will analyze case studies from Guatemala, Sudan, Liberia, and Mali to understand the complexities of ethnic and ideological conflicts. The module provides insights into how international interventions shape political and social transformation in affected regions.

What's included

1 video11 readings1 assignment

This module explores the complexities of deploying peacekeeping missions in countries transitioning from authoritarian rule to democracy. It analyzes case studies from Haiti, Sierra Leone, and Libya, focusing on challenges such as political instability, institutional weaknesses, and the effects of external interventions.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of the United Nations in post-US intervention settings, focusing on peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. It covers the challenges of conflict resolution, the legitimacy of UN actions, and the political dynamics involved in post-war stabilization efforts. Learners will gain insight into how international organizations respond to complex global conflicts.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

This module explores the transformation of UN peacekeeping operations from 1992 to 2015, focusing on key reports, strategic shifts, and their impact on global peace and post-conflict recovery. Learners will gain an understanding of how the UN responded to evolving security challenges and refined its peacebuilding approaches over time.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module explores the historical and legal evolution of force usage in UN peacekeeping missions, focusing on challenges in intrastate conflicts and the impact of key reports like the Brahimi Panel. It examines the complexities of balancing state sovereignty with the protection of civilians.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

This module explores the integration of key thematic areas such as human rights, gender equality, and civilian protection within UN peacekeeping operations. It covers the evolution of peacekeeping doctrines and the challenges faced in addressing issues like sexual violence, child soldiers, and humanitarian intervention. Learners will gain insight into the policies and frameworks used to protect vulnerable populations in conflict zones.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of human rights in peacekeeping operations from 1990 to 1998, analyzing key missions, challenges, and outcomes in countries like El Salvador, Rwanda, and Angola. It provides insight into how human rights frameworks were integrated into post-conflict efforts and evaluates their effectiveness through historical assessments.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of human rights components in peacekeeping operations, focusing on strategies for monitoring, reporting, and ensuring accountability in conflict zones. It covers the challenges of cooperation with local forces, the development of policies for human rights due diligence, and the importance of leadership and staffing in effective implementation.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of human rights frameworks in post-conflict states, focusing on the challenges and strategies used in judicial systems, transitional justice, and civil society engagement. Learners will analyze case studies from Timor-Leste, Sudan, and Libya to understand how international and local actors address human rights issues in complex political environments.

What's included

1 video12 readings2 assignments

Instructor

Sage Instructors
Sage Publications
140 Courses5,106 learners

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions