Development and Conflict
Duration: Three weeks.
Overview
Start of programme: 1 July 2013
The first decade of the twenty-first century has seen a continuation of underdevelopment and violent conflicts. Neoliberal globalisation has increased inequality within and between nations, aggravating tensions and frequent outbreaks of violence and armed conflict. Ongoing conflicts in countries such as Afghanistan, the DRC, Ivory Coast, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Sudan are examples where multiple political and economic interest clashes, with devastating consequences for millions of people. In the past two decades, foreign military interventions have increased significantly on the grounds of protecting people, which raises new questions about notions of humanitarianism, human rights, democracy, and liberal state building.
This course looks at trends in violent conflict in the late 20th and early 21st centuries and asks whether there have been significant changes in the type or ‘technology’ of violent conflicts. It also explores ways in which development processes and policies themselves often generate violent conflicts.
The course will be convened by Dr Neils Hahn, taught alongside Professor Christopher Cramer and Dr Jonathan Goodhand.
Dates
The summer school will run from Monday 1 July - Friday 19 July 2013.
Social Programme
You will also be able to enjoy our social programme, starting with a welcome party and a river cruise on the Thames. A guided tour of historical Bloomsbury where SOAS is situated will help you find your way around the campus area. You will also receive discount codes for day trips and overnight tours with our partner International Friends once you have registered for one of our courses.
Further details: www.internationalfriends.co.uk.
Fees
Tuition
A tuition fee of £1250 will be charged per 3 week programme. This figure does not include accommodation fees.
Accommodation
A limited number of rooms will be available at International Hall which is located in the heart of Bloomsbury. You will be able to request a place once your application has been approved. Please note that the deadline for confirmation and payment of accommodation will be 17th May 2013, however you are advised to request a room as early as possible to avoid disappointment. The cost for 20 nights from 30 June - 19 July (inclusive) is £800, which includes breakfast every day. Please email sophie.dilley@soas.ac.uk to reserve place.
Application fee
A one-off, non-refundable application fee of £55 will be charged to cover administration costs.
Credits
If you intend to claim credits from your home institution, please check the requirements with them before you enrol. We will be happy to assist you in any way we can, however please be aware that the decision to award credits rests with your home institution.
Courses do not bear any UK credits but they will provide you with between 40–50 hours of face-to-face contact time, which includes lectures and tutorials, during the 3-week period. Assessment will be optional and will vary for each course. Participants will be provided with a certificate of attendance. Transcripts will be available on request.
Contacts
For more information, please email Sophie Dilley at summerschool@soas.ac.uk
Structure
Poverty and development challenges, as well as armed conflicts and broader high levels of societal violence, have continued into the twenty-first century. In the past two decades, foreign military interventions have increased significantly on the grounds of protecting people, but these interventions have raised new questions about humanitarianism, human rights, democracy, and liberal state building. This course introduces these and related issues and the contending frameworks for making sense of them.
Assessment is optional and will be in the form of a 2000-2500 words essay, to be returned by Friday the 2nd of August at the latest.
Topics:
Introduction:
1. Trends and debates
2. Concepts, data, and definitions
Part I: Theory
3. Capitalism and Class
4. Barbarism, Greed, and Grievance
5. Democracy, Human Rights and Free Trade
Part II: Intervening in Conflict:
6. Prevention and Intervention
7. Humanitarianism
8. Reconstruction
9. Case studies and reflection I
10. Case studies and reflection II
Structure: The course will run from Monday - Thursday and consist of 30 hours of lectures and seminars, plus around 14 hours of extra activities such as study skills, trips and films throughout the three weeks.
Teaching & Learning
Teaching & Learning
At the end of a course, a student should be able to demonstrate:
- An understanding of how wars and conflicts affect development processes and vice versa
- An understanding of the major contrasting conflict and development theories and how they relate to practice
How to Apply
In order to join our Summer School, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:
- Have undertaken a year’s university level study
- A minimum English language requirement if English is not your first language:
- IELTS (www.ielts.org), 7 overall or higher, with at least 6.5 in all subscores.
- iBT 105+ with 22 in all subscores or 100 overall with no less than 25 in writing and no less than 22 in any other subscores.
- Or equivalent.
