The world is riven with conflicts between people. This course will look at the ways that people create solidarities with one another and through which they oppose other groups. Religion, nationality and ethnicity, race, and class all create powerful loyalties. Sometimes these loyalties crosscut one another; sometimes they converge.

We will look at four specific issues or “trouble spots,” in order to understand how these calls to solidarity operate. We will first take up the divide between “red” and “blue” states, seeking to understand some of the elements that bring together and separate U.S. citizens from one another.

Then we will look at the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, where ethnic and religious differences contributed to the complete breakdown of civil society.

Next we will look at Bolivia, where an indigenous movement has gained considerable power in recent years.

Finally, we will look at Iraq, trying to understand the complex social landscape there -- conflicts that are based partly on religion, partly on region, partly on the specific history and geopolitics of that country.

Organization:

This course requires students to become active researchers, as well as studying assigned materials with the rest of the class. For each unit you will:

*	read at least one common paper all members of the class, then do research on the area.
*	send me the urls for good sites and articles weekly, which I will post on the course web site.
*	do a 5-8 page (1250-2000 word, exclusive of bibliography) report on each country that describes the key aspects of the country, including

o	class,
o	religion,
o	ethnic, national, racial, and/or tribal groups, as well as
	other elements you see as important in fueling solidarities and conflicts.

Sources to draw on: EBSCO, google, other search engines you like.

Topics:

U.S. The problem: To understand the nature of the “red/blue divide”.

The former Yugoslavia. The problem: To understand the reasons for the dissolution of the country. Key issues I anticipate: nationalist identities, religion, historical experiences.

Bolivia. The problem: To understand the current indigenous mobilization. Key issues I anticipate: class, ethnicity.

Iraq. The problem: To understand the nature of the divisions within the state. Key issues I anticipate: religion, tribes, and ethnicity.

Grading:

1) Attendance: The content of this course requires student participation. Attendance is therefore critical. Students are required to attend all classes. You are allowed three (3) absences without penalty. YOU WILL LOSE 1/2 (ONE-HALF) LETTER GRADE FOR EACH CLASS YOU MISS IN EXCESS OF THREE ABSENCES.

2) Reading: You will read assigned articles and readings you discover.

3) Response papers. You will write a short (1 page, 250 words) response piece to each reading, as assigned. These response pieces will be due in class the on the day assigned.

4) Research papers/reports. You will write a four (4) short research papers or reports, one on each topic.

A)	Papers must be a minimum of 5 pages (1250 words) exclusive of bibliography. You will probably want to write more; please try to not go above 8 pages (2000 words).
B)	Papers will describe the major groupings and the historical and structural bases of conflict within each country studied.
C)	Papers must conform to standard academic standards regarding spelling, syntax, punctuation, citation, and bibliography (see “Statement on Academic Honesty” below regarding citations). If you are unclear about proper form, please ask me. Papers that do not meet minimum standards will be returned ungraded. You will be able to revise and resubmit the first paper; thereafter you will receive a zero for papers that do not meet these standards. I will be glad to review papers before the deadline so that you can make needed revisions.
D)	Papers are due on the last day of the unit, as indicated on the Syllabus. LATE PAPERS WILL BE DOCKED ONE (1) LETTER GRADE FOR EACH DAY (INCLUDING SAT. AND SUN.) THEY ARE LATE. If you have a legitimate emergency that prevents you from meeting the deadline, let me know BEFORE the deadline if possible.
E)	You may use a non-traditional format such as a web page, a short story, or other non-social science format. If you want to take this option, consult with me so we can specify the standards you need to meet.

5) Exams. There will be a midterm and a final exam. Exams will test for knowledge of material covered in class, so take good notes on classroom lectures and discussion.

6) Grading:

Midterm	20%
Final	30%
Papers 4 @ 10% each	40%
Summaries	...10%
.	100%

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Academic Dishonesty: We welcome you to this classroom community with the assumption that the work you do will be your own. However, distinguishing your work from the work of another can be tricky at times, for both you and your instructor. Presenting another’s work as your own, even if by accident, is a serious violation of the Student Conduct Code.

The Student Conduct Code identifies the following as acts of academic dishonesty: Plagiarism, representing the work of another as ones own work; preparing work for another that is to be used as that persons own work; cheating by any method or means; &soliciting, aiding, abetting, concealing, or attempting conduct in violation of this code (p. 18).

Whether quoting or paraphrasing (or even summarizing) someone else’s work, you should cite your sources; failure to do so constitutes an act of plagiarism. This policy applies to papers and speeches.

Buying a paper online, copying text from several web sites, and turning in someone else’s paper (even with a few words changed) are all examples of plagiarism when you claim such work as your own.

Note: As services selling such papers have increased in number, so have services that track plagiarism using sources from the internet.

Suspected cases of plagiarism will be investigated following Article V of the Student Conduct Code. If plagiarism is substantiated, the perpetrator may face failing the assignment, failing the course, disciplinary censure, and/or suspension from the university, depending on the details of the case (see Article III of the Student Conduct Code).

Rule of thumb: when in doubt, cite where the information is coming from. If you are uncertain whether you are citing sources sufficiently and appropriately enough to avoid plagiarism, please consult your instructor or a tutor at the Writing Center.

SPRING BREAK WEEK 9 -- March 12-20

Final Exam -Thursday, May 12 10:10a.m.-12:10p.m.