About Course
As with conflict, we take a broad definition of violence. Here we include not only actions, but also words, attitudes and even social structures or systems. Anything that creates harm. And we also take a broad view of what constitutes harm – we consider physical harm, as well as psychological harm, social violence which discriminates against and excludes certain groups from opportunities, and environmental harm which undermines livelihoods and ability to live a healthy life – anything that artificially prevents people from reaching their human potential. Taking this wide view of what constitutes violence is incredibly helpful in analysing conflict as it shifts our attention away from just people with guns and into the larger social, economic, and cultural forces that drive violent approaches to conflict over time
