Political Science 367 - Politics of Civil Wars in the Middle East: Conflict, Reconstruction, Justice

Why have states across the Middle East experienced so many civil wars in the past half century? What explains the sources, trajectories, and outcomes of these wars? How have they impacted politics across the region? This seminar will study the civil wars in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. For each case, we will assess competing explanations for the sources, trajectory, and resolution of the war (historical or prospective). We will use our empirical inquiry to consider broader conceptual and theoretical questions about civil wars that hold relevance beyond the region. What features make civil wars a distinctive type of conflict? How should they be differentiated from other types of conflict, like protracted insurgency or rebellions? How do civil wars break out and how do they end? What are the affects of foreign intervention? What forms do peace agreements commonly take, and through what processes do they emerge? Students will write a final research paper in which they dive deeper into analysis of a case from the course, a new case, or a comparative study. 

Recommended Prior Coursework: Any prior international or comparative politics course, or demonstrated familiarity with the modern Middle East from other coursework.

Limited to 18 students. Spring semester. Visiting Assistant Professor Shils.

How to handle overenrollment: Preference to POSC majors

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on close, critical reading of social scientific and historical writing, intensive discussions, small group projects, and written work.