| Module Identifier |
IP33920 |
| Module Title |
CIVIL WAR IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE |
| Academic Year |
2003/2004 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Erik Landis |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Other staff |
Dr Erik Landis |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 8 Hours 8 x 1 Hour |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | 16 Hours 8 x 2 Hour |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | 1 x 2 Hour Exam | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 3000 Word Paper | 40% |
|
Learning outcomes
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Demonstrate an understanding of the case studies in civil war covered in the module
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Assess the role of outside intervention on the dynamic of civil wars
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Discuss the role of violence in the mobilization of support for movements in civil war conflicts
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Evaluate the characteristics of civil war conflicts before and after the end of the Cold War
-
Discuss the distinctions between civil wars and wars between states
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Analyze the roles of the community, ethnicity, and nationality in civil war conflicts
-
Discuss the relationship between revolution and civil war
Brief description
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the nature of civil war in modern history by examining in depth case studies of major civil conflicts in the twentieth century. The emphasis is on approaching individual case studies with attention to particular traits of civil conflict, developing as a set of analytical tools for understanding civil wars, past and present, in comparative perspective.
Content
The module will begin by introducing and defining the study of civil wars, looking at theoretical and conceptual aspects as well as presenting an overview of the topic.
The Module will then look at four case studies:
-
The Russian case provides an example of political ideology and nationality in the mobilization of forces.
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The Spanish case, which presents the issues of polarization and the internationalization of civil conflict.
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The Greek case will then be discussed, which illustrates issues such as the instrumentalization of violence and management of revenge.
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Finally the Angolan civil war will be studied, exploring the idea of civil war as an end in itself as well as civil conflict after the Cold War.
The Module will conclude by assessing civil conflict at the micro- and macro- levels.
Reading Lists
Books
** Essential Reading
Paul Preston (1996) A Concise History of the Spanish Civil War
London: Fontana Press
David Close (1995) Origins of the Greek Civil War
London : Longman
Orlando Figes (1996) A People's Tragedy
London: Jonathan Cape
H.M. Enzenberger (1993) Civil War
New York: New Press
Michael E. Brown (ed) ( 2001) Nationalism and Ethic Conflict
London: MIT Press
Mats Berdal, David M. Malone (eds) (2000) Greed & Grievance : economic agendas in civil wars
London: Lynne Rienner Publishers
Charles Tilly (ed) (1996) The Politics of Collective Violence
Cambridge:CUP
Mary Kaldor (ed) (1999) New and Old Wars: Organized Violence in a global era
Cambridge: Polity
Doug McAdam, John D. McCarthy, Mayer N. Zald (eds) (1996) Comparative Perspectives on Social Movements: political opportunities, mobilizing structures, and cultural framings
Cambridge : CUP
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6