Ethnopolitical Conflicts in International Law and Politics
| Module title | Ethnopolitical Conflicts in International Law and Politics |
|---|---|
| Module code | POLM245 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Vadim Atnash (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
In this module, you will study the main causes of ethnic conflicts, interaction of different factors in their emergence, international legal basis for conflict resolution in various regions, such as Asia, Europe, and Africa. Some of the main topics examined include the ethnic conflicts specifics within its regional and civilizational context; typology of ethnopolitical conflicts and movements, their genesis and dynamics; cases of genocide and issues of its prevention. The module also explores and assesses the key international treaties and modern mechanisms of the resolution of ethnopolitical conflicts, based on principles and norms of international law, especially international human rights law.
The module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways. Prior knowledge of the international law is recommended but not required.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with understanding of aspects of international legal and political framework for the regulation and resolution of ethnopolitical conflicts, including armed conflicts. You will learn to appreciate and analyse key legal and other materials and to undertake independent research at an advanced level in this area.
The module will also develop your capacity to present complex ideas and to identify, explain, analyse, and critique in writing complex factual material, legal instruments, debates, and concepts, using appropriate structure, register and language and supported by competent referencing and bibliography.
You will gain experience of developing ideas, producing outputs, and communicating complex concepts effectively. A strong understanding of human rights, cultural diversity, and international law will be valuable for careers in academia, government, international organizations, or civil society.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate knowledge of the core principles and rules of international regulation of ethnopolitical conflicts with a particular emphasis on international human rights law and humanitarian law;
- 2. demonstrate understanding of different regions and cultures, causes of ethnic conflicts, the national policies and practical challenges arising in the settlement of ethnopolitical conflicts
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. demonstrate flexible ability to critically assess and apply international mechanisms of internal conflicts resolution and prevention by proposing research on a case (an ethnopolitical conflict)
- 4. conduct case study research critically analysing various source material
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. manage relevant learning resources and complex information confidently and independently, and to develop own arguments and opinions at a very high level;
- 6. communicate and engage in debate effectively and accurately;
- 7. work independently, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task
Syllabus plan
The module will cover all or some of the following topics:
• The forms of nationalism and legal measures to combat extremism
• Ethnic minorities rights, non-discrimination and tolerance
• Nationality, deprivation of citizenship and statelessness issues
• Decolonization and internal colonialism processes
• Ethnic violence, genocide and their prevention (cases of Asia and Africa)
• Resolution of ethnopolitical conflicts by international institutions
• Ethnopolitical conflicts in Asia (South, Southeast, Central Asia)
• Ethnopolitical conflicts in Eastern Europe
• Ethnopolitical conflicts in the MENA region
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | Weekly seminars (11 x 2 hours) |
| Guided Independent Study | 139 | Reading and preparing for seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 139 | Completion of research essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formative Essay | 1000 words | 1-7 | Written feedback with percentage grade |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Essay | 100 | 5000 words | 1-7 | Written feedback with percentage grade |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Essay (5000 words) | Research Essay (5000 words) | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Aditya, A, Diaspora in the MENA Region and Beyond (Johannesburg: UJ Press, 2024)
- Alfredsson, G; Lindholm, G, The Autonomy of the Åland Islands: Constitutional and International Law Challenges (Brill, 2024)
- Baker, C, Race and the Yugoslav region: Postsocialist, post-conflict, postcolonial? (Manchester University Press, 2018)
- Bülbül, K, Islam, N; Khan, S, Rohingya Refugee Crisis in Myanmar: Ethnic Conflict and Resolution (Springer Books, 2022)
- Encyclopedia of the World's Minorities (Routledge, 2013)
- Hall, C; McClelland, K, Race, nation and empire: Making histories, 1750 to the present (Manchester University Press, 2024)
- Lightfoot, S; Maddison, S, Handbook of Indigenous Public Policy (Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2024)
- Schulze, K, Contesting Indonesia: Islamist, Separatist, and Communal Violence since 1945 (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2024)
- Simon, D; Kahn, L (editors) Handbook of Genocide Studies (Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023)
- Snitwongse, K, Ethnic Conflicts in Southeast Asia (De Gruyter, 2005)
- Souleimanov, E,Understanding Ethnopolitical Conflict: Karabakh, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia Wars Reconsidered (Palgrave University Press, 2015)
- Yehuda, L, Collective Equality: Human Rights and Democracy in Ethno-National Conflicts (Cambridge University Press, 2023)
- Wilson, K, Race, Racism and Development: Interrogating History, Discourse and Practice (London: Zed Books, 2012)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
There is a wide range of web resources to which students will be signposted for example:
- The Council of Europe
- European Website on Integration
- International Criminal Court
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- UN Human Rights Office
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Students will be directed to relevant monographs and edited collections and to relevant journals such as:
- Ethnic and Racial Studies
- Ethnopolitics
- Central Asian Affairs
- Europe-Asia Studies
- Asian Affairs
- The Journal of Conflict Resolution
- International Journal of Refugee Law
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 25/03/2025 |
| Last revision date | 25/03/2025 |
