PLSC 380TCivil Wars

Catalog

Why are some countries wracked by civil war, while others remain peaceful? What explains why some civil wars are short-lived, while others stretch for decades? What drives armed groups to abuse civilians? How can societies overcome violent pasts to forge durable peace agreements, and what role does the international community play in consolidating peace? These are some of the questions this course will seek to answer. Students will draw on theoretical literature to make sense of empirical patterns, and will apply theories that we study to contemporary civil wars. Open to Political Science, ENVI, Dual Diploma majors. Freshman and others admitted only with permission of instructor.