Ethnic Politics and Conflict

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

What is ethnic conflict, why does it exist, what is its relationship to ethnic politics and how can we solve it? Despite decades of research, these questions remain open and will be among those this course addresses. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the existing theories regarding the relationship between ethnic politics and conflict as well as the literature on how to prevent and resolve such conflict. Students will critically evaluate the theories, apply the theories to existing ethnic conflicts and identify gaps in theory and empirical knowledge. The course is divided into three parts: the cannon of theory on ethnicity, group formation and mobilization, causes of ethnic violence and possible solutions; more recent empirical research testing these theories and proposing new ones; and ethnic conflict resolution practices. Molly Inman is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the CR MA program, and her research focuses on ethnic politics and political violence. Her current book project focuses on the incentives that federal systems create for internal ethnic political competition and the effect on violent outcomes. She has worked and conducted research in the former Yugoslavia and Indonesia.