Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict (MSc)

Birkbeck’s MSc Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict considers how ethnic, national and religious identities intersect and how they cause conflict and violence within and between states. In Western countries, many majority ethnic groups are bemoaning a loss of national identity and sovereignty, while smaller nations and ethnic-national groups press for devolution or independence at the expense of larger nation-state formations. Religiously inspired conflict, especially, but by no means only, in the Muslim world, is a further major source of global insecurity. This programme draws on research in comparative politics, history, sociology, cultural and genetic anthropology, political theory and international relations to offer comprehensive, balanced analyses of contemporary political controversies. The modules cover the concepts of ethnic group and nation, and the range of approaches and analytical models available to explore case studies from different time periods and places. Students will then consider the pressing issue of population change within and between states, and its economic, military, political and international implications. Students can choose option modules from a wide variety of topics including international security, American foreign policy, globalisation, political theory and sociology, war and conflict, nationalism and religion, and international political economy.