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Course Description

Summary

Civil society or the arena of autonomous associational organization and activity has been credited with promoting various virtuous outcomes, including democratization, development, and social peace. This course critically surveys civil societies’ roles in peacemaking and peace building. It will explore theoretical controversies on the nature and roles of civil society as well as specific examples of conflict interventions by civic associational groups. These examples will draw from case studies and experiences from around the world, including Ashutosh Varshney’s scholarly work on Hindu-Muslim conflict and civic life in India, the practical work of The Imam and the Pastor in Nigeria, and civil society’s role as a potential catalyst for managing Turkish-Armenian conflict over the Armenian genocide. This course is offered during the first seven weeks of the term.