The Politics of Deeply Divided Societies

Overview

On this module we study the roots of ethnic and civil strife in several inter-state conflicts around the world. The goal is to understand similarities and differences between types of conflict processes and the way they are managed or get solved. The module is divided into two parts. In one we discuss theories and definitions – what is a deeply divided societies, what types of deeply divided societies exist, what are the various aspects of managing deeply divided societies, what are the potential roles of the international community in such management and more. In the other part of the module, we focus on specific cases of deeply divided societies. Each week presents one case of deeply divided societies and showcases how the theories apply. The principal aim of the module is to encourage and develop the analytic skills of comparative enquiry. While contemporary histories of selected conflicts are included these are designed to be preliminary to explicit comparison rather than ends in themselves.  Since we can only learn what is ‘unique’ and what is ‘general’ by systematic comparison, the module examines key themes in ethnic and national conflicts by reference to a range of contemporary conflicts and covering key themes, institutions, and actors that are related to them.

Learning Objectives

Identify and explain the phenomenon and unique features of deeply divided societies

Applying theoretical arguments related to such key features and the different processes deeply divided societies go through to both historical and contemporary cases

Evaluate debates amongst scholars who represent different theoretical perspectives

Comparing and contrasting cases of deeply divided societies from other types of conflicted societies

Comparing and contrasting between cases of deeply divided societies

Skills

Taught, practiced, and assessed skills (Taught (T), Practiced (P), Assessed (A)):



Subject specific:



Acquire a deeper and complex understanding of key topics in the study of deeply divided societies (T, P, A)

Attain a better understanding of several theoretical traditions in International relations and comparative politics and the way they help us identify, examine, and understand deeply divided societies (T, P, A)

Have the ability to critically analyse and formulate view on central debates and controversies in the study of deeply divided societies (T, P, A)

Have the ability to compare and contrast between historical and contemporary cases of deeply divided societies (T, P, A)



Cognitive:



Develop analytical thinking (P, A)

Develop critical thinking (P, A)

Apply theoretical concepts to real-life events (P, A)

Synthesise information from various sources (P, A).

Collect, sort, criticise, and analyse data (T, P, A)



Transferable:



Communicate clearly both orally and in writing (P, A)

Construct evidence-based arguments (P, A)

Display originality of thought and argument (P, A).

Assessment