POL321Y1F L0101
Ethnic Politics in Comparative Perspective
Themes
This course considers the sources of ethnic politics and reflects on why some attempts to manage ethnic differences succeed while others fail. We begin by analyzing ethnicity and nationhood conceptually and go on to explore why and how liberal-democratic states’ approaches toward the management of ethnic and national differences changed after the Second World War. We then examine multiculturalism, probing its theoretical foundations, practical manifestations, and limits. The second half of the course examines diasporas and transnationalism; citizenship in a world on the move; indigenous people’s politics; language politics; sub-state nationalism; federalism and consociationalism; secession; ethnic cleansing; and genocide. Cases span a broad range of geographic regions and historical periods.
Texts
A variety of readings, most, if not all of which will be made available electronically.
Format and Requirements
Four two-hour lectures per week. Final grade will be based on attendance, midterm test, essay, and a final examination.
Prerequisites
1.0 POL credit