GV537-7-FY: DEVELOPMENT, STATE BUILDING AND TERRORISM
Year: 2013/14
Department: Government
Essex credit: 30
ECTS credit: 15
Available to year(s) of study:
Available to Study Abroad / Exchange Students: No
| Module is taught during the following terms |
| Autumn |  | Spring | | Summer | |
Module Description
The aims of this module are to study the interplay between human rights, state building, economic and political development and conflict. This module explores the aforementioned topics in order to have a better understanding of the dynamics in some of the most conflict prone and unstable areas of the world. To do so, the module explores the following questions: What are the causes of failed state and the spillover effects of failed state in their regions? Why are some states prone to authoritarianism and are some authoritarian regimes more benign in terms of economic development, stability and conflict? What are the effects of stateless groups? How do human rights abuses of stateless groups affect the propensity for conflict? How are economies run in states that are virtually non-existent? How does the possession of certain resources affect economic and political development and conflict? What factors are most conducive to the emergence of powerful non-state actors, acts of terrorism and conflict?
The module will briefly examine the history and circumstances that have created instability, conflict, authoritarianism and/or stagnant economics in Western Asia, most specifically, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Central Asia and the Caucasus. On the basis of the evidence gathered through this work we will evaluate the impact of recent developments on stability in the region.
Learning & Teaching Methods
1 hour lecture and 1 hour class
Assessment
60 per cent Coursework Mark, 40 per cent Exam Mark
Coursework:
60% coursework (10% Presentation,5% Attendance,20% Research paper 3500 words,25% Final Paper 4000 words),40% Final Exam
Exam Duration and Period
3:00 hour exam during Summer Examination period.
Bibliography
- There is no one textbook for the course, but a relatively small number of texts, from which some weekly readings are selected.