Ethno-Politics: Theoretical Considerations and Case Studies
| Module title | Ethno-Politics: Theoretical Considerations and Case Studies |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARA3149 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Jonathan Githens-Mazer (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 22 |
|---|
Module description
This module seeks to provide students with the analytical tools required to examine theoretical and empirical issues related to ethno-politics. Its primary aims are: (1) to develop an understanding of foundational concepts but also theories/discourses used to interpret the politics of ethnic relations, including ethnic conflict; and (2) to enable students to apply this understanding to better comprehend contemporary politics. To this end a number of case studies will be considered independently as well as on compare and contrast basis. At the end of the course students should be able to articulate - in a comprehensive way - their views on the themes, discourses, and case studies covered in this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The primary aims of the module are:
(1) to familiarise you with theories and discourses that help to explain correlations between ethnicity and politics; and
(2) to enable you use the relevant theoretical framework to explain politics of ethnic relations in specific case studies.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate familiarity with theoretical frameworks used to interpret ethnic conflict
- 2. critically apply related theories in case studies analysed in class
- 3. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of responses to ethnic conflicts under investigation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. discuss and analyse top-down and bottom-up approaches to responses to ethnic conflict
- 5. discuss and analyse historical material indicated in the reading list
- 6. embrace a multi-disciplinary approach in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of a particular case study
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. demonstrate effective communication, oral and written
- 8. work effectively in study groups with limited guidance
- 9. plan and produce course-work to a deadline
Syllabus plan
Lecturing and class discussion focused on specific learning tasks. Teaching of subject knowledge will be through a combination of lectures and presentations. Each presentation is based on topics drawn from the lectures. Students will be required to give presentation/s on an aspect of the scheduled topic, after which feedback will be given. Other members of the group will have prepared for the class by directed reading and private study. Students are provided with a module handout consisting of background material to inform lecture topics.
Week 1: Introduction
Week 2: Ethnicity and its politicization
Week 3: Nation, nationalism and ethnicity
Week 4: Ethnic conflict: causes, course and actors
Week 5: Conflict settlement and resolution
Week 6: Case 1: State and nation building: Demographic engineering in the late Ottoman Empire
Week 7: Case 2: The Kurdish conflict, an ethnic conflict?
Week 8: Essay workshop
Week 9: Case 3: The Rwandan Genocide
Week 10: Living with the past: Memory, justice and reconciliation
Week 11: Case 4: Justice and reconciliation in Rwanda
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent study | 128 | Directed learning and private study outside the classroom including : reading set texts provided in the reading list; wider reading; preparation for individual presentations; preparing drafts of essays; and revising for examinations. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 8 Essay Workshop | Each student will prepare a presentation handout and give a short presentation about their 2,500 word essay. | 1-9 | Oral feedback and guidance will be provided on the spot by the module convenor. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 0 | 20 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 30 | 1500 words | 1-9 | Written feedback and mark |
| Essay | 50 | 2500 words | 1-9 | Written feedback and mark |
| Individual Class Presentation | 20 | 15 Minutes | 1-7, 9 | Oral and Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (1500 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (2500 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Individual Class Presentation | Written summary of presentation (1,000 words) | 1-7, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Rogers Brubaker, Ethnicity Without Groups, Cambridge: HarvardUniversity Press, 2004.
Alain Dieckhoff and Christophe Jaffrelot eds., Revisiting Nationalism - Theories and Processes, Palgrave Mac Millan, 2006.
Stefan Wolff, Ethnic Conflict: A Global Perspective, Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press, 2006.
Ramsbotham, O.; Woodhouse, T. & Miall, H. (eds.). (2011).Contemporary conflict resolution: the prevention, management and transformation of deadly conflicts. Cambridge, Malden: Polity.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Penn Program in Ethnic Conflict - University of Pennsylvania
http://www.polisci.upenn.edu/ppec/
Centre for the Study of Ethnic Conflict – Queen’s University Belfast
http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentrefortheStudyofEthnicConflict/
Exeter Centre for Ethno-Political Studies – University of Exeter
http://centres.exeter.ac.uk/exceps/about_exceps.htm
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Ethnopolitics Journal
Ethnopolitics papers
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2008 |
| Last revision date | 08/10/2015 |
