The Dynamics of Ethnic Conflict: A Global Perspective

21.9.-2.10 Mon-Fri 14-16

- 21.9. U37 sh 2 and 28.9. Mon 14-16, Main building hall 10

• 22.9.& 29.9. Tue 14-16, Main building AUD XIII
• 23.9.& 30.9. Wed 14-16, Main building hall 14
• 24.9.& 1.10. Thu 14-16, Main building hall 8
• 25.9.& 2.10. Fri 14-16, U37 sh 4
  
  The course exam will be held Wed 14.10. 14-16, Porthania P673.

Registration for the course between 27.8.-28.9. in WebOodi.

¤updated 28.9.2009¤

Prerequisites

Basic and intermediate studies.

Compensations

One book from study unit M435.

Target group/Course level

An introductory course targeted for under graduate and graduate students

Objectives

The course provides the students the academic lens to understand the dynamics of ethnic conflicts. After the course the participants should have a full grasp of what ethnicity is, what the aspirations of ethnic groups are, how international law protects their rights and interests, how ethnicity is used as a tool for political ends and what kind of ethnic conflicts exist in the different parts of the world. The students will write an essay examining one case study where they will identify the key elements and issues involved, how ethnicity is used or misused in the conflict, whether the struggle of the ethnic group or the response of the government to the rebellion is legitimate under international law and what the appropriate solutions are available to resolve the conflict.

Content

The course has two parts: theoretical and practical sections. The former deals with clarification of concepts, theories of ethnicity, the place of ethnic politics in national and international politics, the kind of aspirations which ethnic groups have and how they are acknowledged in national and international law, the causes, types and consequences of ethnic conflicts and the approaches and mechanisms used to solve conflicts.

The practical part covers conflicts of difficult types and from the different part of the world. It starts with a conflict that concerns the demand to exercise indigenous rights in Chile (the Mapuche case), and is followed by power struggle or struggle for participatory democracy, as exemplified by the conflicts in the Fiji Islands, in Lebanon and Rwanda. The last category of conflicts deal with outright secession (political self-determination). It is divided between conflicts which led to the emergence of fully sovereign States (Kosovo and East Pakistan), uprisings that were militarily crushed (in Biafra and Sri Lanka) and two frozen conflicts (in Northern Cyprus and in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan).

Completion

The students are required to read the assigned materials and to follow the lectures with pro-active engagement. The lecture outlines will be distributed. The exams will be taken from these reading materials and outlines. The exams will contain essay type and true/false questions.

The remaining credits of the study unit are to be completed in the form of a book exam within six months, at the latest, after the date of the course completion.

Grading

The course will follow the grading scale of the university (0-5). The grading system will be based on a final exam (90%) and class attendance (10%)- one for each day. Bearing in mind the interest expressed by the students during the first class and the apparent shortage of time, the original idea of requiring the students to submit a paper has been abandoned.

Course results and retake

The results of the course will be posted on the notice board of the Department.

The exam retake will be held Mon 11.1. at 16-18, PI. Prior registration for the exam retake between 17.12.09 - 3.1.10. in WebOodi. Don't mind if WebOodi informs you that you have already taken the course.

Course evaluation anddevelopment

During the last session, students will have an opportunity to give feedback on the course to the lecturer and to fill in an anonymous evaluation form. During the course feedback can be given anonymously.

When giving feedback, please evaluate the contribution of the teacher, your own contribution, the contributions of other students and the possible contribution of the Department office to the success of the course.