About POLS 3610 A
Examination of ethnic conflict in post-Soviet states, including Russia, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Estonia, and Kyrgyzstan. Considers the consequences of Soviet federalism and nationalities policy and moves between theories of nationalism and ethnic conflict and case studies to apply theory to empirics. Prerequisites: POLS 1015, POLS 1017, POLS 1500, or POLS 1700; three hours of Political Science at the 2000-level.
Notes
Prereqs enforced by the system: POLS 1015, POLS 1017, POLS 1500, or POLS 1700; three hours of Political Science at the 2000 level. Minimum Junior standing. Catamount Core: S1. Open to Jr/Sr POLS majors only until April 9th. PACE students by permission and override.
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Section Description
In this course, we will examine ethnic conflicts in various post-Soviet states including Russia, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Estonia, and Kyrgyzstan. All of these conflicts are deeply rooted in Soviet era policies, which we will explore together. Beginning with an analysis of conflict between Russians and Estonians/Latvians, we will move between theories of nationalism and ethnic conflict on the one hand and case studies on the other hand in an attempt to apply theory to empirics throughout the semester. We will discuss classic theorists like Ernest Gellner and Elie Kedourie, as well as contemporary theorists like Rogers Brubaker and Roger Peterson. The central theme of this class is consequences of Soviet federalism and nationalities policy, which have contributed to all of the conflicts we will analyze. We will study the Russian minority conflict (Latvia and Estonia), the Transnistrian conflict (Moldova), the Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflicts (Georgia), the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (Azerbaijan and Armenia), and the Chechen conflict (Russia).
Section Expectation
By the end of the course, students will be able to identify key causes of the five conflicts covered in class. Students will also be able to identify arguments made by the theorists covered in class. Finally, students will be able to apply a few of the theories covered in class to a conflict of their choice through the writing of an extensive research paper.
Evaluation
TBD, but reading quizzes (students can use notes they've taken on the readings), a research paper and presentation, and participation are likely to be parts of the assessment.
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