After completing this course students are able to:
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Conduct historical case study analysis, and understand the unique benefits of this research method.o
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Conduct comparative analysis between case studies identifying patterns, sequence and differences.
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Understand the causes of conflicts; the factors and mechanisms that drive and sustain conflicts; and how and why conflicts end
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Demonstrate developed analytic, writing and presentation skills
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The objective of this course is to give students an introduction into understanding the dynamics of conflicts. Exploring the causes of conflicts; what factors drive and sustain conflicts; and ultimately how and why conflicts end. As well as comparing differences between conflicts, and addressing questions such as why some conflicts end, and others continue?
This course takes an historical approach, using a series of in-depth cases studies as a means to investigate the dynamics of conflicts. The historical case study method allows students to take a complete view across the lifespan of a conflict and to gain in-depth analysis of conflicts; examining the conflicts as they progress overtime and identifying the causal processes driving the violence. It also allows for comparisons between conflicts; to identify patterns, sequences and differences, and also to gain insights from history on how to understand present day conflicts.
The course will examine four case studies:
1. Punjab Crisis (India, Sikh separatist insurgency 1980s-90s)
2. Mindanao (Southern Philippines Muslim separatist insurgency, 1970s-2000s),
3. Northern Ireland (UK, 1970s-1990s)
4. Congo Civil War (1990s).
The course will finish with an appraisal of the current conflict in Syria, applying what has been learnt from the previous case studies. These case studies have been specially chosen to highlight specific aspects of and to give different perspectives on the nature of such conflicts.
Themes to be explored:
- State Responses: Why does state violence end some conflicts and not others? Why do some peace processes work, and others fail?
- Armed Groups: The Modus Operandi and strategy.
- Social Cleavages: Religious, ethnic and tribal divisions.
- Economic Factors: Including resource exploitation and criminalisation of conflicts.
- Politics and Governance: the role of political competition and weak governance.
I- nternational Relations: the relationship between international politics and ‘local’ conflicts.
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Format
This course is five weeks long. The first week will be theoretical introduction to conflict studies, including examination of the different research approaches in this field, outlining the unique contribution that historical case study analysis brings. Each of the following four weeks will focus on an individual conflict, using it as a framework to explore key themes in conflict theories.
Designed as a seminar the course requires the close reading of the prescribed material and class discussion of their contents. In addition the course will contain an interactive element with debates, presentations, practical exercises and audio video content. The course will also benefit from the additional input from some guest lecturers on key topics.
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