Document Type

Graduate Syllabus

Date

Spring 2022

School

Diplomacy

Course Number

DIPL 6001 WB

Course Description

Current challenges to multiculturalism and to the peaceful coexistence of various ethnic and cultural groups in the US and beyond challenge us to re-examine various models of dealing with cultural and ethnic diversity at the level of states, societies, and local communities. This course examines these issues through a focus on the 'organization of diversity'. After an examination of the development of the concept of 'nation' and its political uses, it proceeds to an analysis of different models of recognizing (or not) this diversity and organizing it as part of the institutional setup of the state and its policies. Three models (more accurately, families of models) are analyzed: territorial autonomy, non-territorial autonomy, and denial of autonomy, rights, and even citizenship. Among the case studies to be examined in the course are those of the former Soviet states, the Middle East, Western Europe, Latin America and South East Asia. The last part of the course will be devoted to conducting, sharing and discussing original research by the students; each student will complete an original research paper on a relevant topic. In these research projects, the concepts and methods learned from the other cases will be applied to additional case studies. Having completed the course, students should be able to apply the concepts, skills and competencies acquired to analyze more effectively the variety of cases they will encounter on over the course of their career.

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