Topics in Politics:

Do you want to understand the causes and consequences of the war in Syria, how it affects neighboring states, great powers as well as ordinary citizens in Middle East and Europe? This course will provide a solid basis for understanding the causes and consequences of violent conflict in world politics with a focus on how war and violent conflict affects states, their leaders and individual citizens. We cover the full spectrum of conflicts in international relations, including: interstate war, civil war, as well as forms of political violence such as terrorism. Each week is centered around a specific substantive question such as: why do states choose to fight rather than negotiate?; why are territorial issues such a consistent driver of militarized conflict and war; what logic is behind the use of terrorism by political actors?; why do states experience civil war?; and how does violent conflict affect public opinion and public health outcomes? On each topic covered in the course we cover cutting edge theoretical and empirical work on the topic, while also delving into material that clarifies the real world meaning of violence for citizens and soldiers. Note: This course counts towards the undergraduate International Politics subfield.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU BA; AS SSC; FA SSC; AR SSC

Topics in Politics:

POLITICAL SCIENCE 335

Section 01