This course introduces you to research on intra-state conflict,
conflict resolution and state-building. Intra-state conflicts include
civil wars, wars of liberation, secession, revolutions and ethnic
conflicts. Topics addressed include: Where do conflicts erupt? How do
they evolve? How long do they last? Who wins? How & where could
negotiated settlements be reached? What type of polity will result
from the conflict? Which conflicts justify outside intervention? Does
outside intervention work? Can outsiders build a resilient state? The
readings for the course consist of studies that try to answer those
questions broadly, policy papers, and case studies written by both
scholars and practitioners. The course will particularly address
conflicts from the Middle East and North Africa, including the
current confrontations and “state building” ventures in Iraq and
Afghanistan. You are expected to contribute to the discussion, submit
a guided research report and a paper proposal, and write a term paper
that evaluates some of the theories you will learn in the context of
a specific conflict.