GV508-6-SP-CO:
The Analysis of Conflict and Peace
2019/20
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 13 January 2020
Friday 20 March 2020
15
29 May 2019
Requisites for this module
GV207
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module focuses on contemporary conflict and peace research and the concept and tools necessary to be able to follow current research in this area. Whereas many courses focus on "knowing that", or familiarizing students with particular facts or existing contributions to the literature, our emphasis here will very much be on "knowing how", or the underlying logic of theoretical arguments about war and peace and how researchers evaluate these.
In particular, we will not focus on meta-theories such as realism or liberalism, which postulate a set of core assumptions and general propositions on how international relations are held to operate, but instead look at the implications entailed by different theories and arguments on war and peace, and think of ways to evaluate if these are consistent with empirical patterns. We will examine the relationship between theory and evidence, measurement, and research design in research on war and peace. The specific theories and issues we will examine include conflict trends, the relationship of power, preferences, economic relations, domestic politics, and international organizations to conflict and peace.
PREREQUISITES
Students need to have a firm understanding of mainstream theories of conflict and research methods. They should have taken a research methods course and at least one advanced course (second year or higher) in international relations prior to taking this course as it assumes familiarity with common theories of conflict. In exceptional circumstances students can be admitted without having fulfilled this prerequisite if they can demonstrate the necessary knowledge prior to the course.
• Analyzing theories and cases trains students’ analytical skills
• Analyzing the case material trains students in developing research design.
• Analyzing the case material trains students’ numeracy skills
• Report writing trains students’ writing skills
• Analysis and evaluation in the light of theory requires critical thinking
Have a good overview and understanding of current theories on the causes of war and peace
Understand current controversies on the causes of war and peace using the theories discussed in the course
Understand core issues regarding how one would evaluate the implications of distinct theories and assess the validity of theoretical and empirical claims
•Practical knowledge of data sources relevant to conflict and basic analysis skills
No additional information available.
1 hour lecture & 1 hour lab session
- Han Dorussen; Theodora-Ismene Gizelis. (2013) 'Into the lion's den: Local responses to UN peacekeeping', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 50 (6) , pp.691-706
- (no date) Human Security Report 2013: The decline in global violence: evidence, explanation and contestation: Human Security Report Project, Simon Fraser University.
- (1990) 'The Logic of Terrorism: Terrorist Behavior as a Product of Strategic Choice', in Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind, Cambridge: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars., pp.7-24
- Joshua S. Goldstein and Jon C. Pevehouse. (1997) 'Reciprocity, Bullying, and International Cooperation: Time-series Analysis of the Bosnia Conflict', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 91 (3) , pp.515-529
- Halvard Buhaug, Lars-Erik Cederman and Jan Ketil Rød. (2008) 'Disaggregating Ethno-Nationalist Civil Wars: A Dyadic Test of Exclusion Theory', in International Organization. vol. 62 (3) , pp.531-551
- Edward N. Muller and Mitchell A. Seligson. (1987) 'Inequality and Insurgency', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 81 (2) , pp.425-452
- James D. Fearon. (1995) 'Rationalist Explanations for War', in International Organization. vol. 49 (3) , pp.379-414
- Babst, Dean. (1964) Elective governments: A force for peace. vol. 1, pp.9-14-
- Maria J. Stephan and Erica Chenoweth. (2008) 'Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict', in International Security. vol. 33 (1) , pp.7-44
- Andrea Ruggeri; Theodora-Ismene Gizelis; Han Dorussen. (2013) 'Managing Mistrust: An Analysis of Cooperation with UN Peacekeeping in Africa', in Journal of Conflict Resolution. vol. 57 (3) , pp.387-409
- Mancur Olson, Jr. and Richard Zeckhauser. (1966) 'An Economic Theory of Alliances', in The Review of Economics and Statistics. vol. 48 (3) , pp.266-279
- Isak Svensson; Mathilda Lindgren. (2011) 'Community and consent: Unarmed insurrections in non-democracies', in European Journal of International Relations. vol. 17 (1) , pp.97-120
- Barbara Harff. (2003) 'No Lessons Learned from the Holocaust? Assessing Risks of Genocide and Political Mass Murder since 1955', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 97 (1) , pp.57-73
- Tago, A. (2009-03-01) 'When Are Democratic Friends Unreliable? The Unilateral Withdrawal of Troops from the `Coalition of the Willing'', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 46 (2) , pp.219-234
- Hazem Adam Ghobarah, Paul Huth and Bruce Russett. (2003) 'Civil Wars Kill and Maim People-Long after the Shooting Stops', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 97 (2) , pp.189-202
- William J. Dixon. (1996) 'Third-Party Techniques for Preventing Conflict Escalation and Promoting Peaceful Settlement', in International Organization: The MIT Press. vol. 50 (4) , pp.653-681
- Douglas Lemke. (2008) 'Power Politics and Wars without States', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 52 (4) , pp.774-786
- Moore, Will H.; Shellman, Stephen M. (2007) 'Whither Will They Go? A Global Study of Refugees' Destinations, 1965-1995', in International Studies Quarterly. vol. 51 (4) , pp.811-834
- James D. Morrow. (1991) 'Alliances and Asymmetry: An Alternative to the Capability Aggregation Model of Alliances', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 35 (4) , pp.904-933
- Caroline Hartzell and Matthew Hoddie. (2003) 'Institutionalizing Peace: Power Sharing and Post-Civil War Conflict Management', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 47 (2) , pp.318-332
- Erik Gartzke. (2007) 'The Capitalist Peace', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 51 (1) , pp.166-191
- Singer, J. David; Bremer, Stuart; Stuckey, John. (c1972) 'Capability Distribution, Uncertainty, and Major Power War', in Peace, war, and numbers, Beverly Hills: Sage., pp.19-48
- Asal, Victor H.; Rethemeyer, R. Karl. (2008) 'The Nature of the Beast: Organizational Structures and the Lethality of Terrorist Attacks', in The Journal of Politics: The University of Chicago Press. vol. 70 (2) , pp.437-449
- Håvard Hegre, Tanja Ellingsen, Scott Gates and Nils Petter Gleditsch. (2001) 'Toward a Democratic Civil Peace? Democracy, Political Change, and Civil War, 1816-1992', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 95 (1) , pp.33-48
- Lars-Erik Cederman; Nils B. Weidmann; Kristian Skrede Gleditsch. (2011) 'Horizontal Inequalities and Ethnonationalist Civil War: A Global Comparison', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 105 (3) , pp.478-495
- Gartzke, E. (2006-03-01) 'Identity and Conflict: Ties that Bind and Differences that Divide', in European Journal of International Relations. vol. 12 (1) , pp.53-87
- James D. Fearon and David D. Laitin. (2003) 'Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War', in The American Political Science Review. vol. 97 (1) , pp.75-90
- Eck, K.; Hultman, L. (2007-03-01) 'One-Sided Violence Against Civilians in War: Insights from New Fatality Data', in Journal of Peace Research. vol. 44 (2) , pp.233-246
- (1999-01-10) 'The Kantian Peace: The Pacific Benefits of Democracy, Interdependence, and International Organizations, 1885-1992', in World Politics: The Johns Hopkins University Press. vol. 52 (1) , pp.1-37
- Michael W. Doyle and Nicholas Sambanis. (2000) 'International Peacebuilding: A Theoretical and Quantitative Analysis', in The American Political Science Review: American Political Science Association. vol. 94 (4) , pp.779-801
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
|
30% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 3 |
|
40% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Martin Steinwand, email: martin.steinwand@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Martin Steinwand
Dr Martin Steinwand: ms17779@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Mohammed Rodwan Abouharb
University College London
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 10 (33.3%) hours available to students:
20 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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