The Politics of Ethnic Conflict

Code

POLI3068

School

Politics and International Relations

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

Questions relating to nationalism and ethnic conflict are prominent in political debate and have become more so in recent years as populism has increased and left-right wing patterns of discourse become less relevant. Contemporary events in Scotland and Spain have revealed the extent to which the territorial integrity of the state is under challenge in established democracies and the importance of constitutional crafting in managing diversity within states.   This module examines the important questions surrounding the relationship between ethnic groups and political conflict: What explains the rise of nationalism? How do citizens’ feelings of belonging influence the way they vote? Why do some nationalist movements become violent while others remain peaceful? How do populist politicians (as well as more established parties) use nationalism to mobilise support? How can governments respond to these demands? What tools are available to them? And what about the international community? The module adopts a comparative perspective to address these questions, by focusing on countries in different regions of the world including India, Afghanistan, Kenya, Nigeria, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, America and the UK.

Target Students

Available to Final Year UG students in the School of Politics and International Relations on single and joint honours plans. Also available to Final Year UG students on the Philosophy, Politics and Economics plan, and incoming exchange students based in the School of Politics and International Relations.

Classes

This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.

Assessment

• 25% Coursework 1: 2 x 500 word Commentaries
• 75% Coursework 2: 3000 word policy report

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding 
By the end of this module you will be able to: 
• define a state, nation and an ethnic group
• understand the different explanations of the rise of identity conflicts (and the logical consequences of these explanations)
• comprehend the influence of political actors in articulating identity-based conflicts 
• assess the effectiveness of different institutional responses for containing political conflict
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of institutional strategies for containing identity conflicts
• demonstrate knowledge of where these strategies have been deployed
• offer a critical overview of a range of approaches to understanding concepts of ethnicity, identity and nationalism
• critically reflect on the role of structures and actors in the emergence, articulation and resolution of identity-based conflicts
• understand the different strategies of ethnic conflict regulation
• assess critically how these strategies are applied in various states

Intellectual and Transferable Skills 
By the end of this module you will be able to:
• conduct independent research
• write a policy report
• construct reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement
• identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to problems
• apply theoretical frameworks to empirical cases
• critically analyse and disseminate information
• gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and primary sources
• recognise the importance of explicit referencing and the ethical requirements of study which requires critical and reflective use of information and communications technology in the learning process
• become mature, independent learners who can demonstrate initiative, self-organisation and time-management attributes. 

Digital Skills: 
By the end of this module you will be able to
• communicate digitally and use shared productivity tools; to work effectively across cultural, social and linguistic boundaries participate in learning dialogues via digital media;
• use communication and information technology, including audiovisual technology, for the retrieval and presentation of information and, where appropriate, statistical or numerical information
• use digital media to learn and to present the outcomes of learning
• demonstrate a critical approach to evaluating information in terms of its provenance, relevance, value and credibility
• use digital evidence to solve problems and answer questions
• the capacity to participate in and benefit from digital learning opportunities; to identify and use digital learning resources; 
• to manage digital workload 

Conveners

• Dr Simon Toubeau
• Professor Katharine Adeney