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Ethno-political conflicts are not a phenomenon peculiar to the region of the Caucasus. But they became part of the region’s post-Soviet history following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In this context, this one-semester course sheds light on key aspects of ethno-political conflicts in the region by combining an understanding of major concepts and theories of ethno-political conflict initiation and separatism with an analysis of the case studies of Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The course will also draw attention to latent hotspots of ethno-political tensions across the region. Poslední úprava: Brisku Adrian, doc., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
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The goal of this course is to supply students with the relevant conceptual vocabulary and historical contexts to understand and to analyse the emergence and occassional sparks of ethno-political conflict in the post-Soviet region of the South Caucasus. Poslední úprava: Brisku Adrian, doc., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
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REQUIREMENTS 1) Attendance is mandatory as the course is designed as a seminar where substantial student participation is needed. 2) For every three weeks, a position paper of around 300 words should be prepared, to be submitted in Moodle. Position papers should address reading for particular class. They should be done individually not as a group effort. 3) On week 12, using a ‘workshop’ format students present & get feedback from the lecturer and course mates on their first draft of their final paper. 4) A final paper of around 2500 words will be uploaded on Moodle with an indicated deadline. 5) Active class participation –20%, position papers –30% and final paper draft (for the workshop) – 20%; final paper –30%. EVALUATION A - "výborně - A" - "excellent - A"
See Dean´s provision https://www.fsv.cuni.cz/opatreni-dekanky-c-172018aj Updated, 2.09.2024
Poslední úprava: Brisku Adrian, doc., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
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READING ASSIGNMENTS 1. Introduction to the course · Syllabus
2. Historical Context of the Region · Cornell, Small Nations and Great Empires: A study of ethno-political conflict in the Caucasus <https://is.muni.cz/el/1423/podzim2012/MVZ208/um/35586974/Small_Nations_and_Great_Powers__A_Study_of_Ethnopolitical_Conflict_in_the_Caucasus__.pdf> (Chapters 1 and 2) Further reading(s) · Frederik Coene’s The Caucasus (Introduction chapter, see SIS).
3. Understanding main concepts: identity, ethnicity, nationalism (First Position Paper) · Howard, ‘Social Psychology of Identities’ in Further reading(s) · Eriksen, ‘Ethnicity vs Nationalism’ in < http://www.hyllanderiksen.net/Ethnnat.pdf>
4. Defining ethno-political conflict · Gilley, ‘Against the Concept of Ethnic Conflict’, Further reading(s) · Varshney, ‘Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict’, < http://ashutoshvarshney.net/wp-content/files_mf/varshneyethnicityandethnicconflict.pdf>
5. Theorizing the causes of ethno-political conflicts and separatism · Suleimanov, ‘Understanding ethno-political conflict’ in Further reading(s) · Siroky, ‘Explaining Secession’ in · Brown, G., ‘Development and conflict: theoretical and empirical linkages’, Securing Peace: State-building and Economic Development in post Conflict Countries, (2011), 53-70.
6. Escalation in ethno-political conflict (Second Position Paper) · Carment & James, ‘Escalation in Ethnic Conflict: A Survey & Assessment’ in Further reading(s) · Oliveira, ‘A discussion of Rational and Psychological Decision-making Theories and Models’, in · MIT Security Studies Program, in < http://ssp.mit.edu>
7. Reconciliation in ethno-political conflict · Bloomfield et al (eds.), ‘Reconciliation after violent conflict’, in Further reading(s) · Kaufman, S., ‘Escaping the Symbolic Politics Trap: Reconciliation Initiatives & Conflict Resolution in Ethnic Wars’, Journal of Peace Research, 43/2 (2006), 201-218.
8. Case study I - the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: the causes & escalation · Cornell, Small Nations and Great Empires: A study of ethno-political conflict in the Caucasus <https://is.muni.cz/el/1423/podzim2012/MVZ208/um/35586974/Small_Nations_and_Great_Powers__A_Study_of_Ethnopolitical_Conflict_in_the_Caucasus__.pdf> (Chapter 3) Further reading(s) · Gasparian, Arsen, ‘Understanding the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Domestic politics and twenty-five years of fruitless negotiations 1994-2018’, Caucasus Survey, DOI: 10.1080/23761199.2019.1674114 (2019).
9. Case study II - the South Ossetia conflict: the causes & escalation (Third Position Paper) · Cornell, Small Nations and Great Empires: A study of ethno-political conflict in the Caucasus <https://is.muni.cz/el/1423/podzim2012/MVZ208/um/35586974/Small_Nations_and_Great_Powers__A_Study_of_Ethnopolitical_Conflict_in_the_Caucasus__.pdf> (Chapter 4) Further reading(s) · Vincent M. Artman, ‘Documenting Territory: Passportisation, Territory, and Exception in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Geopolitics’, 18:3, (2013), 682-704, DOI:10.1080/14650045.2013.769963
10. Case study III - the Abkhazia conflict: the causes & escalation · Cornell, Small Nations and Great Empires: A study of ethno-political conflict in the Caucasus <https://is.muni.cz/el/1423/podzim2012/MVZ208/um/35586974/Small_Nations_and_Great_Powers__A_Study_of_Ethnopolitical_Conflict_in_the_Caucasus__.pdf> (Chapter 4) Further reading(s) · Gerrits, A., Bader, M., ‘Russian Patronage over Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Implication for Conflict Resolution’, East European Politics, 32/3 (2016), 297-313.
11. Cases of latent ethnic conflict in the region · Azerbaijani & Armenian minorities in Georgia, in < https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/caucasus/georgia/georgia-s-armenian-and-azeri-minorities > · Avar, Lezghin and Talysh minorities in Azerbaijan, in · Yazidis, Russian & other minorities in Armenia, in · Ingush Ossetian Conflict, in · Matevosyan, V., Currie, B., ‘A conflict that did not happen: visiting the Javakhk affair in Georgia’, Nation and Nationalism(2018), 1-21.
12. Workshop Poslední úprava: Brisku Adrian, doc., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
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The course is seminar-based and will take place offline, which means that the lecturer will open up the discussion on the reading material of the week by laying out the main concepts and questions which will be followed by students' interventions and analytical discussions. The reading material will be accessable in Moodle.
Poslední úprava: Brisku Adrian, doc., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
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Ethno-political Conflicts in the Caucasus (JMM 130) Associate Professor Adrian Brisku, PhD Doctoral Student, Lamiya Panahova Department of Russian & East European Studies, Charles University https://cuni.academia.edu/adrianBrisku adrian.brisku@fsv.cuni.cz lamiya.panahova@fsv.cuni.cz
COURSE DESCRIPTION Ethno-political conflicts are not a phenomenon peculiar to the region of the Caucasus. But they became part of the region’s post-Soviet history following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In this context, this one-semester course sheds light on key aspects of ethno-political conflict in the region by combining an understanding of major concepts and theories of ethno-political conflict initiation and separatism with an analysis of the case studies of Nagorno-Karabakh, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The course will also draw attention to latent hotspots of ethno-political tensions across the region.
A. COURSE DESIGN 1. Introduction to the course (Brisku) 2. Historical Context of the Region (Panahova) 3. Understanding the main concepts: identity, ethnicity, nationalism (Brisku) 4. Defining ethno-political conflict (Brisku) 5. Theorizing the causes of ethno-political conflict and separatism (Brisku) 6. Escalation of ethno-political conflict (Panahova) 7. Reconciliation in ethnic conflict (Brisku) 8. Case study I – the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: causes & escalation (Panahova) 9. Case study II – the South-Ossetia conflict: the causes & escalation (Panahova) 10. Case study III – the Abkhazia conflict: the causes & escalation (Panahova) 11. Cases of latent ethnic conflict in the region (Panahova) 12. Workshop (Brisku) Updated, 2.9.2024 Poslední úprava: Brisku Adrian, doc., Ph.D. (02.09.2024)
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