Overview

    Comparative consideration of sources, dynamics, and implications of regional conflicts, for example in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Exploration of interactions of local and international politics in regional crises.

    Considers the origins, evolutions and outcomes of major regional conflicts in a comparative context. The lecturer will concentrate on cases in the Balkans and Eurasia for illustration of more general themes. For your own projects and seminar presentations you will examine specific aspects of these cases or cases in other regions. We will apply comparative politics, nationalism and international relations theories to these conflicts, while exploring the practical working-out of such concepts as ‘new wars’, ‘proxy wars’, and ‘failed states’.

    About this paper

    Paper title Comparative Regional Conflicts
    Subject Politics
    EFTS 0.25
    Points 30 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,810.00
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Limited to
    MPols
    Contact
    politics@otago.ac.nz
    Teaching staff

    Associate Professor James Headley

    Textbooks
    No required textbook or course reader.
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to:

    • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual approaches to studying comparative regional conflicts
    • Show knowledge of issues and themes in contemporary regional conflicts
    • Identify relevant sources for analysing regional conflicts
    • Apply their understanding and knowledge in written analysis and through oral presentation

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Thursday 14:00-15:50 28-34, 36-41

    Overview

    Comparative consideration of sources, dynamics, and implications of regional conflicts, for example in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Exploration of interactions of local and international politics in regional crises.

    Considers the origins, evolutions and outcomes of contemporary crises and conflicts in the Balkans, Eurasia and the Middle East. The first part of the paper will analyse the break-up of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia and the consequences, followed by the ongoing/unresolved conflicts in Ukraine, Bosnia, and Kosovo. The second part of the paper will explore the causes, impacts and ongoing fallout of the Israel-Palestine and Syrian conflicts and their regional extensions. Across these cases various thematic lenses will be adopted including: nations, minorities and the ethno-sectarian security dilemma; ethnic cleansing, genocide, Nakba (humanitarian catastrophe and refugees) and international responses; secession and recognition; tyranny; climate change; and the impact of neoliberal economics. 

    About this paper

    Paper title Comparative Regional Conflicts
    Subject Politics
    EFTS 0.25
    Points 30 points
    Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2024 have not yet been set
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Limited to
    MPols
    Contact
    politics@otago.ac.nz
    Teaching staff

    Associate Professor James Headley / Dr Leon Goldsmith

    Textbooks
    No required textbook or course reader.
    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Students who successfully complete this paper will be able to:

    • Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual approaches to studying comparative regional conflicts
    • Show knowledge of issues and themes in contemporary regional conflicts
    • Identify relevant sources for analysing regional conflicts
    • Apply their understanding and knowledge in written analysis and through oral presentation

    Timetable

    Semester 2

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard

    Lecture

    Stream Days Times Weeks
    Attend
    A1 Monday 14:00-15:50 29-35, 37-42
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