In examining ethnic conflicts as major forms of armed conflict and considering the various approaches that are undertaken by international actors to manage them, this module will:
Investigate the causes of ethnic conflict, including an analysis of types and patterns of such armed conflicts and a consideration of theoretical debates about their onset, duration, termination, and recurrence.
Explore the methodological challenges of studying ethnic conflict.
Conduct a critical analysis of some of the theories of ethnic conflict war, including of debates about changes in the nature of armed conflict.
Apply these theories to an in-depth analysis of a number of contemporary cases of ethnic conflict and thereby assess their validity in explaining different dimensions of such armed conflicts.
Analyse different types of international responses to ethnic conflicts, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and investigate the factors that are critical to determining their success or failure.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Critically analyse the dynamics of ethnic conflicts and their different dimensions.
Understand concepts associated with different theoretical approaches to ethnic conflict and the international community’s responses to them.
Assessment
31376-01 : 2000 word essay : Coursework (50%)
31376-02 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessment: 1 x 2000 word essay (50%) 1 x 90 minute exam (50%) Reassessment: resit of failed piece or pieces of assessment.
