POL2106 : Democracy in Deeply Divided Societies
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Professor Ian O'Flynn
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The general aim of this module is to develop, in a structured and interactive manner, a comprehensive understanding of the nature, challenges and prospects for democracy in societies deeply divided along ethnic lines.
Its more particular aim is to gain key analytic skills necessary to:
1. compare and evaluate competing conceptions of ethnicity
2. compare and evaluate competing theories of ethnic conflict
3. compare and evaluate competing institutional solutions (power-sharing, federalism etc.)
4. critically evaluate the role of the international community in negotiating peace agreements and building democracy in deeply divided societies
5. critically evaluate the prospects for democracy in particular countries or cases.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module focuses on the nature, challenges and prospects for democracy in societies deeply divided along ethnic lines. It examines competing theories of ethnicity, ethnic conflict, negotiation, power sharing, federalism, and also considers the role of the international community. While the module is theory driven, it uses a range of illustrative examples or case studies from around the globe (e.g., Belgium, Bosnia, Burundi, Cyprus, Iraq, Lebanon, Myanmar, Northern Ireland, and Sudan).
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 167 | 1:00 | 167:00 | This will cover general reading, assessment preparation, and weakly seminar preparation (the latter via a pre-distributed worksheet). |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present in person |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
• The lectures are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding the different theories involved in the study of democracy and ethnic conflict. The lectures will also enable the students to see how the different theories can be applied to different empirical cases, along with enhancing their own ability to marshal empirical evidence drawn from actual cases for the purposes of critical evaluation.
• Small group teaching/seminars are designed to provide an interactive learning environment in which students can explore the challenges of democracy in deeply divided societies in greater depth. The seminars will enhance students’ ability to listen to others thoughtfully and to challenge their views appropriately through critical discussion.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 15 | 500 word policy report outline |
| Report | 1 | M | 85 | 3000 word policy report |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The 500 word policy report outline is intended to get students thinking about the country study they will focus on in their policy report. It will serve as an early test of their ability to apply theories and concepts discussed in the early parts of the module and, on that basis, their ability to choose a relevant case study.
The 3000 word policy report is designed to test each student’s ability to apply in detail and at length key theories and concepts discussed during the the module. In asking the students to apply these theories and concepts to a case study of their own choice, the report will also test their ability to:
• Justify their choice of case study
• Engage in independent research around that case study
• Highlight a key contemporary problem
• Propose institutional solutions.
The report is also designed to encourage students to engage with policy reports produced by leading NGOs and IGOs (an indicative list is included in the module guide) and hence to enhance their transferable skills.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL2106's Timetable