POL 308 Civil Conflict
Why do civil wars occur in some countries but not in others? What are the costs associated with civil war? Why does political violence occur in the first place given that it has disastrous implications for human and state security? This course will seek to answer why the many modalities of political violence occur in particular places, at particular moments. We will investigate civil war primarily, but we will also examine: ethnic conflict, riots and anti-regime protests, genocide, terrorism, and other forms of violence. The course will draw heavily on recent political science research findings. The course provides students with a set of tools for the analysis of contemporary conflicts and shows how evidence and theory can be effectively used to understand peace and conflict. It also gives students a practical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of current approaches to conflict resolution and peace-building. Prerequisites: Intro to International Relations or Intro to Political Institutions, Junior and Seniors.
Prerequisite
POL 120; or permission of the instructor