Since the end of the Cold War there has been increased focus on the
problem of ethnic conflict.  These conflicts have claimed thousands
of lives and inflicted serious wounds in countries as diverse as
Sudan, the former Yugoslavia and Indonesia.  What makes ethnic
identity such a catalyst for violent conflict?  Do ethnic differences
necessarily translate into violence between groups?  If not, why do
some countries experience such conflicts while others experience
relative peace between different ethnic groups?   This course will
explore questions like these by first discussing different ideas
about the nature of ethnicity and the ways that countries try to
minimize the chance of violent outbreaks between different groups.
Next, we will look at several cases of ethnically mixed countries in
order to better grasp the fundamental ideas explored in the class.
Possible cases to be explored may include some of the following:
South Africa, Northern Ireland, Canada/Quebec, Sudan, United States,
Malaysia, Afghanistan or Israel/Palestine.