University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: 2-4 Thu

The goal of the module is to familiarise students with different approaches that seek to explain how ethnicity and nationhood are created and maintained, how different forms of ethnic conflict and ethnic violence come about, and what possible mechanisms to contain nationalism and ethnic conflict are. The module takes a comparative and historical perspective and employs a variety of theoretical approaches to tackle the issues at hand, including primordial, constructivist, and instrumental approaches to identity, and rational-choice arguments, Marxism, institutionalism, and culturalist approaches to explain ethnic conflict. Thus, the module aims to support students to become more savvy in understanding, appreciating, and critiquing existing works on the topic, skills that in turn should help them to pursue their own research on nationalism and ethnic conflict, if they so choose.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1-hour lecture and 1-hour seminar (x 11 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours: 22

Guided independent study hours: 269

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 100%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 0%

Re-assessment: No re-assessment available

Personnel