Anthropology of Violence and Conflict
ANT / POL 326 R
3 cr / 45 hrs
Conflict pervades our daily lives, and violence erupts indirectly or directly into our experience. What is the distinction between the two, and what are intelligent and effective ways to deal with them? In this course students apply concepts from anthropology and political science to the dynamics of conflict and violence, of various types and levels, in contemporary society. The course examines major definitions of violence and conflict, exploring classic and notable theories and debates in the social sciences and other disciplines. A basic distinction between interpersonal and group dynamics receives much attention. Most focus will be upon the “macro” level: the ways in which communities, states, and other associations deal with the escalation of conflict and the real or presumed conditions underlying violence (such as exclusion or asymmetries in power structure). Issues addressed include the impact of globalization, cultural differences, identity and constituency, and the processes leading towards conflict transformation, peace, and reconciliation.
International Conflict Resolution
POL 292 R
3 cr / 45 hrs
The course presents concepts and theories related to the peaceful transformation of international violent conflicts, illustrating them with examples taken both by global peace initiatives and Italian experiences in the field. Approaches to International Conflict Resolution have become widely used and discussed in the last decade. New roles and tasks have emerged for international organizations such as the United Nations and the OSCE. At the same time, civil society organizations have increasingly played an important role in conflict resolution, through “second-track” or citizens’ diplomacy, conflict sensitive approaches to development, as well as third party nonviolent intervention. In Italy, several peace organizations have their roots in Christian Catholic values. The strong tradition of self-government has also encouraged municipalities and regions to work on development and peace issues. At the end of the course participants will have a clear understanding of international conflict resolution and will have gained an insight into concrete examples from both global and Italian organizations.
Humanitarian Affairs
POL 297 R
3 cr / 45 hrs
Humanitarian emergencies and international aid are dynamic and increasingly important dimensions of world politics. This introduction to the field focuses on the interaction between international law, politics, and human rights as concerns international relations and peace operations. Students receive a thorough grounding in international humanitarian assistance covering legal aspects and major practical and policy considerations regarding implementation. They also test academic theory against current events in terms of the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. The course briefly retraces and analyzes the concept of “human security” and the highly debated principle of the “right to protect,” both of continuing international relevance. However, the course is practitioner oriented. Students explore primary considerations for implementing humanitarian assistance, including: early warning systems; operational challenges (timely response, unhindered access, etc.); funding; coordination and cooperation; politics; the relationship between humanitarian assistance and longer-term sustainable development. In the process they look at many actors contributing to humanitarian assistance, ranging from the United Nations to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and NGOs. The course outlines the relevant legal framework including international human rights law, international humanitarian law, refugee law, and the international criminal courts. Finally, the course considers categories and persons directly affected by humanitarian crises such as refugees.
Students are required to choose two courses from the following:
Globalization and Social Change
POL 250 R
3 cr / 45 hrs
This course critically examines the subject of globalization from a sociological perspective. Globalization in some fashion has been happening for centuries, but never before has it so strongly reshaped society everywhere as today. Through an interdisciplinary approach that combines perspectives from sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, and philosophy, students attain an understanding of some fundamental features of globalization. Exploration of selected substantive topics (case studies) helps root the general in the particular. The concept of globalization; the central themes of changing communications and social networks; the main economic, political, and ideological dimensions of globalization, are analyzed. Emphasis will be given to a set of interconnected themes: the role of capitalism and other systems; the function and effectiveness of institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank; changes in global governance; the relationship between globalization, inequality, and poverty; the fate of cultural diversity in a globalizing world; issues of gender, ethnicity, environment, social justice, and human rights.
International Terrorism
POL / HIS 380 R
3 cr / 45 hrs
This course examines the phenomenon of terrorism, which may be defined as the calculated use of violence (or threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals related to political or religious ideology. It addresses questions like the following: What is a terrorist and how should terrorism be defined? What are the motivations behind the use of terrorism and political violence? What are the policies that states are adopting to combat terrorist attacks? What is the future of terrorism and counter-terrorism? The course looks briefly at the “terror regimes” of previous centuries, and then studies the different forms of terrorism in the 21st century in terms of their geopolitical areas and their goals of the destabilization of governments and democratic systems and gaining political independence. The course includes analysis of current events and case studies.
Prerequisites: HIS 130 Western Civilization, or POL 150 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalents
International Rome: A UN City
POL 328 R
3 cr / 45 hrs
Treating the United Nations in Rome as a case study, this course explores the purposes, background, and operations of international organizations in an age of globalization, the major challenges they face at the international level, and the responses to them of the international community. Studying in Rome will allow students to integrate class learning with first hand experience of the UN, participating in conferences, meeting UN officials and diplomats and accessing key UN information. Students will discover the policies undertaken by the United Nations and the way they are implemented. The course will survey the UN organizations in Rome: FAO, WFP and IFAD. Students will familiarize themselves with the development priorities of these organizations. They will analyze their work and prepare project drafts that address their assigned issues and goals. Through research, meetings and debate, students will identify strengths and problems of these organizations and develop solutions by evaluating probable consequences of proposed actions.
