Spring 2008

GOV 360N • War and Territory - W

Course Description

Disputes over territory are often violent and intractable. Why do states and ethnic groups fight over territory? In this course students study the following: the economic, emotional, and political value of territory; the political organization of empires versus modern states; boundaries; the geography of ethnic conflict; and interstate territorial disputes. Readings include literature from political science, history, and sociology. This course will be very demanding both with respect to paper writing and reading. It counts toward the writing component requirement. The course will be conducted as both lecture and seminar. Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings and present their research.

Grading Policy

20% each - 2 short papers 20%  Class participation 40%  Research paper (15-20 pages)

Texts

Michael Hechter. 2001. Containing Nationalism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. James Ron. 2003. Frontiers and Ghettos: State Violence in Serbia and Israel. University of California Press. Janice E. Thomson. 1996. Mercenaries, Pirates and Sovereigns. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Charles Lipson. 2004. Doing Honest Work in College: How to Prepare Citations [&]. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

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