This module will examine how conflict research has evolved within the field of political science and International Relations. It will initially investigate competing theories on conflict and violence highlighting specific case studies and new security concerns. The theoretical reflections will focus on the understanding of modern nationalism in world politics as well as different aspects of conflict ranging from inter-state to intra-state conflict. Moreover, students will be exposed to a detailed and critical analysis of the political and constitutional options in societies beset by violent ethnic conflict, with particular emphasis being given to mechanisms directed at the achievement of political accommodation.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 178
Total study hours: 200
International Conflict Analysis MA
Essay (6000 words) (100%)
Reassessment methods: 100% coursework
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
Adrian Guelke's, Politics of Deeply Divided Societies, 2012
Hall, John A. The State of the Nation: Ernest Gellner and the Theory of Nationalism. Cambridge University Press 1988
Horowitz, Donald. Ethnic Groups in Conflict. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1985
Hugh Miall, Oliver Ramsbotham, Tom Woodhouse. Contemporary Conflict Resolution: The Prevention, Management and Transformation of Deadly Conflicts, Cambridge: Polity. 2005
McGarry, John and Brendan O'Leary. The Politics of Ethnic Conflict Regulation. London: Routledge, 1993
Neophytos Loizides, The Politics of Majority Nationalism: Framing Peace, Stalemates and Conflict, Stanford 2015
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Understand key historical and theoretical issues in international conflict and the study of war and peace
8.2 Explain and evaluate the nature, causes and effects of conflict, at the state and international levels
8.3 Be able to critically identify key debates in theories of conflict and violence studies
8.4 Understand and critically interpret key concepts in conflict studies
8.5 Be familiar with applied methodological and epistemological methods in the field of conflict studies
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 demonstrate specialised knowledge of, and critical insight into, the key historical and theoretical issues in their programme area, together with familiarity with appropriate bibliographical sources
9.2 apply theoretical and conceptual frameworks to the analysis of politics and international relations
9.3 use a variety of research methods and evaluate critically their application in the scholarly literature
9.4 conduct research in politics and international relations demonstrating awareness of epistemological, methodological and ethical principles
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