Conflict, Development, and U.S. Foreign Policy

The course will examine the drivers and consequences of violent intrastate conflict, including civil war, communal conflict, terrorism and cartel/gang violence. It will consider COVID-19 and climate change as threat multipliers. And the course will explore U.S. interests and strategies for preventing or reducing conflicts and promoting development. It will use case studies to illustrate the effectiveness of various policy instruments and the role of local and international actors, structural factors and institutions.