GV4B8 Half Unit
Civil Wars: Concepts and Cases
This information is for the 2019/20 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr William Kissane
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.
The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Tuesday 1 October 2019. You will be informed of the outcome by 17:00 on Wednesday 2 October 2019.
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: Civil War and Civilization. The Concept of Civil War. Patterns of civil war since 1945. Large N approaches. Decolonisation, and Democratisation as causes of civil war. The emergence of security dilemmas. Partition and Civil War. The idea of global civil war.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 15 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.
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2018/19: 25
Average class size 2018/19: 12
Controlled access 2018/19: No
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Communication
