Unit name | Ethnic Politics: Approaches and Issues |
---|---|
Unit code | POLIM0036 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Paca |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit aims to give students a deeper understanding of ethnicity and the politics of ethnic cleavages in both European and non-European contexts. What is ethnicity and why and how does it matter in determining both the social and political behaviour of individuals, groups, and states? Does ethnic diversity affect the stability and quality of democracy? Does it increase the risk of violent conflict? And how can we manage such conflicts? These questions suggest some of the main themes we will consider in this unit.
To develop answers to these questions, we will begin with a discussion of foundational works on ethnicity and its role in social and political relations, which will enable us to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to understanding ethnic politics. We will then examine ethnic politics in various regions of the world, including countries such as Belgium, Kenya, the Philippines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UK. We will particularly focus on various forms of ethnic conflict, from discrimination and xenophobic parties to civil wars and genocide. We will consider how different actors use ethnicity and how institutions shape ethnic conflict before evaluating policies and practices of conflict management.
On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:
1. define and critically assess concepts used in the discussion of ethnic politics
2. apply the analytical concepts used in the unit across a range of cases
3. explain and evaluate the use of data and methods appropriate to the field
4. critically evaluate measures taken to manage ethnic conflict
The unit will be taught in one two hour seminar each week with a mixed form of delivery (student participation, seminar discussion, tutor lead teaching).
Formative-
Poster on the ethnic politics of a chosen country
15-minute group presentation contrasting two pieces of research on the week’s topic
Summative -
1000 word policy brief on the ethnic politics of a chosen country (25%)
3000 word essay (75%)
The formative poster assignment and summative policy brief will in particular allow for assessment of and feedback on intended learning outcome 2.
The formative group presentation and summative essay will in particular allow for assessment of and feedback on intended learning outcomes 1-4. The summative essay questions will in particular be specifically designed to assess students’ ability to critically engage with and evaluate approaches and issues covered by the unit.