GV4B8 Half Unit
Contemporary Civil Wars: Comparative Case Studies
This information is for the 2018/19 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr William Kissane CON5.06
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Comparative Politics, MSc in Conflict Studies and MSc in Women, Peace and Security. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
The course examines social science explanations of the origins, intractability and outcomes of civil wars. It does this through the comparative analysis of various cases. These cases may vary from year to year. Particular stress is on: The Concept of Civil War. Patterns of civil war since 1945. Large N approaches. Decolonisation, Democratisation, and State-Building as causes of civil war. The emergence of security dilemmas. Theories of conflict resolution, reconstruction and the settlement of civil wars.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the LT.
There will be a reading week in week 6 of the LT for private study and assessment preparation.
Formative coursework
All students are expected to submit one non-assessed essay.
Indicative reading
Bill Kissane, Nations Torn Asunder; The Challenge of Civil War, OUP 2016.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the summer exam period.
Student performance results
(2014/15 - 2016/17 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 22.6 |
| Merit | 64.5 |
| Pass | 11.8 |
| Fail | 1.1 |
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2017/18: Unavailable
Average class size 2017/18: Unavailable
Controlled access 2017/18: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Communication
