CONF 735: GLOBAL CONTEXT OF CONFLICT
Professor Ho-Won Jeong
George Mason University
Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Course Syllabus
Requirements
Though the instructor offers basic concepts and theoretical approaches, all students are expected to read class assignments and contribute to class discussion. Discussion is designed to explore some of the main issues covered in the lecture at a deeper level. Reading assignments encompass primary issues and problems that have been discussed in the field. Book chapters and journal articles assigned for this class are included in a binder placed at the ICAR resource room.
There are some short essays and one research paper as well as a class project. The essays may cover major themes learned in class, but it will be more oriented toward reflecting students' ability to synthesize their knowledge and integrate different conceptual issues. The topics for a research paper should be compatible with the general orientation of the class. They may include different types of conflicts which arise from social oppression, economic exploitation and other forms of marginalization. Class discussion will help students develop policy perspectives and will be encouraged to make reports on the ongoing events.
Grading
The essays will count for 35 percent of the course grade. The term paper will constitute 45 percent of the final grade. 15 percent will be based on a class project. The remaining 5 percent of the grade will be assigned to class participation.
Schedule and Reading Assignments
Week 1 Introduction and Overview
Week 2 An Analytical Framework
Charles Lerche, 'The Conflicts of Globalization', in International Journal
of Peace Studies, December 1997
http://www.larksongs.net/ConGlob.html
Alan Tidwell, 'Ruminating on a Big Mac: Globalization and Conflict Resolution', International Journal of Peace Studies, forthcoming
Suggested reading
Jan Nederveen Pieterse, 'War on Terrorism,' International Journal of Peace Studies, spring/summer 2003
Week 3 Transition to Globalization
Jan Aart Scholte, Globalization, St. Martins, 2000, pp. 13-61; 62-108.
Suggested Reading
Human Development Report 1999, Oxford University Press, pp. 1-44.
Week 4 Change and Conflict in a Globalization Context
Jan Aart Scholte, Globalization, pp. 111-131; 159-204;
pp. 207-260
'Global Culture' National Geographic, August 1999 (Suggested)
Week 5 Globalization and Social Change
The future of the indigenous world
Week 6 Challenges and Response
Discussion: The impact of globalization on the marginalized groups and social movements
Class web site (http://classweb.gmu.edu/hwjeong/)
The World Social Forum
http://www.forumsocialmundial.org.br/eng/index.asp
Week 7 Crisis of Development
V. Shiva, 'Political and Cultural Costs' in Shiva, The Violence of the Green Revolution: Third World Agriculture, Ecology and Politics, Zed Books, London, 1991
V. Shiva, 'The Seeds and the Spinning Wheel', in Shiva, The Violence of the Green Revolution
Week 8 Sustainable Development
Schumacher, Small is Beautiful, 1989
Week 9 Environmental Conflict
B. Weinberg, 'Ecological Destruction as the Roots of War,' in War on the Land, Zed Books, London, 1991.
P. Brecke, 'The Pathways from Environmental Change to Conflict', Paper presented at ISA Convention, 1997
V. Percival and T. Homer-Dixon, 'Environmental Scarcity', Occasion Paper, University of Toronto.
M. Zebich-Knos, 'Global Environmental Conflict,' Peace and Conflict Studies, July 1998
T. Homer-Dixon, Environmental Conflict, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000
Week 10 Ecological Concerns: Global and Local Dimensions
R. Carson, Silent Spring, 1962
C. Soccbret, 'Eco-centric Identity and Environmental Politics', International
Journal of Peace Studies
http://www.worldecology.com/
Week 11 Political Boundaries and Conflict
J. Friedman, 'Culture, Identity, and World Process' , in Cultural Identity and Global Process, Sage Publications, 1994
B. Jorgenson, 'Ethnic Boundaries and the Margins' Peace and Conflict Studies, July 1996
F. Wilmer, 'Domination and Resistance' Peace and Conflict Studies, January 1996
S. Amin, 'Social Movements at Periphery,' in P. Wignaraja (ed.), New Social Movements in the South, Zed Books, 1993
Week 12 Identity Politics, Security and Conflict
K. Friis, 'From liminars to Others' Peace and Conflict Studies, 2000
E. Stamnes, 'Brundi: a Critical Security Perspective' in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2000
O. Jaeger, 'Securitising Russia' in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2000
M. Stern-Petterson, 'Reading Mayan Women's In/Security', International Journal of Peace Studies, July 1998
M. Albert, 'Security as a Boundary Function', International Journal of Peace Studies, January 1998
Week 13 Ethnicity, Nationalism and Political Transition
P. Pamir, 'Nationalism, Ethnicity and Democracy', International Journal of Peace Studies, July 1997
C. Leeds, 'Managing Conflicts across Cultures', International Journal of Peace Studies, July 1997
H. van der Merwe, 'Restitution in South Africa: The Accommodation of An Afrikaner Ethnic Minority,' International Journal of Peace Studies, July 1997
H. Birckenbach, 'The Role of Fact-Finding in Preventive Diplomacy', International Journal of Peace Studies, July 1997
Affan Seljuq, 'Cultural Conflicts: North African Immigrants in France', International Journal of Peace Studies, July 1997
R. Ragionieri, 'The Peace Process in the Middle East', International Journal of Peace Studies, July 1997
Week 14 Class Presentations
Week 15 Developing an Analytical Framework