IREb2023 Nations in conflict

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2023
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Maya Higgins, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Maya Higgins, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 12:00–13:40 P52
Prerequisites
! IRE223 Nations in conflict && !NOW( IRE223 Nations in conflict )
Proficiency in English to an academic standard.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 60 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 31/60, only registered: 0/60
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course will take the students through the history, realities and challenges pertaining to several of the most prominent armed conflicts of our time. Students will be exposed to multiple approaches and school of thoughts necessary in order to understand the complex nature of violent conflicts. The course is composed of two parts: the first part will provide students with an introduction to the topic of conflicts in international relations. We will explore and discuss the nature of war and the factors used to define and characterize it. Upon discussing the three levels of war and the unique issues encountered at each level, students will become familiar with elements of national power and their potential impact on strategy and the conduct of war. We will define diverse types of armed conflicts and discuss various theories of conflict (what causes war?) and the various ways to terminate them. In the second part of the course, students will be introduced to various historical and political trajectories of specific conflicts. Conflicts will vary in type, causes, time and location, and include The Balkan conflicts, ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, The Syrian civil war (2011) and the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Upon presenting each conflict, we will turn to the analysis of the conflicting narratives of the parties involved, alongside the multi-layered effects of the conflicts (social, political, economic, etc.). Paying special attention to the offset of the aforementioned conflicts, we will explore and discuss politics, religion and nationalism.
Learning outcomes
During the course, students would acquire knowledge concerning various theories, types, and underlying motivation for conflicts in international relations. Upon completion of the course: · Students would be able to critically engage with different theories of nationalism and ethnic conflict. · Students will gain a solid understanding of various theories of conflicts, reasons for conflict offset and mechanisms of conflict resolution/de-escalation. · Students will gain a solid understanding of the various actors and history of the main conflicts of our time. · Students should be able to identify and discuss the major events and themes pertaining to each conflict. · Students would possess basic skills and competences to analyse and discuss narratives and challenges faced by conflicting actors, people and societies.
Syllabus
  • Please see the interactive syllabus.
Teaching methods
Teaching will include lectures, discussions and group-work in class.
Assessment methods
Course requirements: 1. Mandatory Reading Students are expected to read the assigned literature for each session. Lectures and literature must not fully overlap. Further reading is optional and meant to broaden students’ horizons in specific topics mention in class. Active participation in class discussions is encouraged. 2. Assignment Submission Students will submit a short assignment (answer five questions, 250 words per answer max) on week 6 (09.04.2021). 3. Collaborative Presentations Students will collaborate in three/four-person teams and explore the dynamics of a specific conflict (other than the ones addressed in class). 15 teams in total. 4. Collaborative Conflict Reports At the end of the semester, students will submit conflict reports. Reports (3,000-3,500 words, excluding the bibliography and footnotes) will be submitted based on the collaborative presentations (reports will constitute a written, more in-depth analysis of the chosen conflict that was presented in class). Requirements are awarded the following points: Assignment (20 points), Collaborative Presentations (25 points), Conflict Reports (55 points). The final (numeric) grade will be converted according to the following scale: 100-95 points = A ; 94-88 points = B ; 87-77 points = C ; 76-68 points = D ; 67-60 points = E ; <60 points = F = failed.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2023/IREb2023