Bachelor 2025/2026

Ethnic Conflicts: Causes and Resolution

Type: Elective course (Political Science and World Politics)

Delivered by: Department of Political Science and International Affairs

When: 4 year, 3 module

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Andrey N. Scherbak

Language: English

Contact hours: 38

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course focuses on recent ethnic conflict across the world – from post-Soviet space and the Yugoslav succession wars – to the genocide in Rwanda and conflicts in the Middle East. The goal of the course is to explore the reasons of ethnic conflicts in the post-Cold war era as well as key approaches to their resolution. Theoretical explanations vary from the classic nationalism theories to “new wars” approaches. Finally, we will examine the role of national governments, civil society, international organizations and military in ethnic conflict resolution.