IR462 Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Political Science and International Relations
Mirsad Karić
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course introduces students to key concepts and theoretical approaches related to ethnicity, identity and ethnic conflict, while familiarizing them with the levels of analysis framework and its relevance for understanding such conflicts. It aims to develop students’ ability to apply theoretical frameworks to empirical cases, examine how historical narratives, collective identities and political structures shape conflict dynamics and strengthen their analytical and research skills through the critical use of primary and secondary data.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Neal G. Jesse and Kristen P. Williams, Ethnic Conflict: A Systematic Approach to Cases of Conflict, Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2011.
Additional Literature
Muli wa Kyendo (ed.), Fundamental Theories of Ethnic Conflict: Explaining the Root Causes of Ethnic and Racial Hate, Nairobi: Syokimau cultural center, 2019.Teaching Methods
Lecturing
Class discussions and presentations
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | No reading |
| 2 | Ethnic Conflict and Approaches to Understanding It | Jesse and Williams, pp. 13-30. |
| 3 | The Roots of Ethnic Conflict: An Evolutionary Perspective | Muli Wa Kyendo, pp.1-33. |
| 4 | Levels of Analysis and Ethnic Conflict | Jesse and Williams, pp. 32-70. |
| 5 | Case Study: Northern Ireland | Jesse and Williams, pp. 72-103. |
| 6 | Case Study: Northern Ireland_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 72-103. |
| 7 | Mid-term week | No reading |
| 8 | Case Study: Bosnia and Herzegovina | Jesse and Williams, pp. 105-136. |
| 9 | Case Study: Bosnia and Herzegovina_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 105-136. |
| 10 | Case Study: Sudan | Jesse and Williams, pp. 138-165. |
| 11 | Case Study: Sudan_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 138-165. |
| 12 | Case Study: Israel and Palestine | Jesse and Williams, pp. 203-241. |
| 13 | Case Study: Israel and Palestine_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 203-241. |
| 14 | Final Paper Presentation | No reading |
| 15 | Final Paper Presentation | No reading |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 14:00 - 17:00 | A F1.7 | |
| Tuesday | 12:00 - 13:00 | A F1.7 | |
| Thursday | 12:00 - 13:00 | A F1.7 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Paper and Presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Interm papers and presentation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
42 hours ⏳ (14 week × 3 h)
Individual Learning and Reading
52 hours ⏳ (13 week × 4 h)
Class Discussion
24 hours ⏳ (12 week × 2 h)
Final Paper
32 hours ⏳ (4 week × 8 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [IR462] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| IR462 | Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflicts | 3 | 0 | 6 | Monday 09:00-10:50 and Wednesday 11:00-11:50 | |||||
| Prerequisite | Junior Standing | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Mirsad Karić | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 14:00-17:00 Tuesday: 12:00-13:00 Thursday: 12:00-13:00 |
|||||||
| mkaric@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course introduces students to key concepts and theoretical approaches related to ethnicity, identity and ethnic conflict, while familiarizing them with the levels of analysis framework and its relevance for understanding such conflicts. It aims to develop students’ ability to apply theoretical frameworks to empirical cases, examine how historical narratives, collective identities and political structures shape conflict dynamics and strengthen their analytical and research skills through the critical use of primary and secondary data. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Neal G. Jesse and Kristen P. Williams, Ethnic Conflict: A Systematic Approach to Cases of Conflict, Washington, DC: CQ Press, 2011. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lecturing, class discussions and presentations | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction | No reading | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Ethnic Conflict and Approaches to Understanding It | Jesse and Williams, pp. 13-30. | ||||||||
| Week 3 | The Roots of Ethnic Conflict: An Evolutionary Perspective | Muli Wa Kyendo, pp.1-33. | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Levels of Analysis and Ethnic Conflict | Jesse and Williams, pp. 32-70. | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Case Study: Northern Ireland | Jesse and Williams, pp. 72-103. | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Case Study: Northern Ireland_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 72-103. | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Mid-term week | No reading | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Case Study: Bosnia and Herzegovina | Jesse and Williams, pp. 105-136. | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Case Study: Bosnia and Herzegovina_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 105-136. | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Case Study: Sudan | Jesse and Williams, pp. 138-165. | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Case Study: Sudan_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 138-165. | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Case Study: Israel and Palestine | Jesse and Williams, pp. 203-241. | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Case Study: Israel and Palestine_cont. | Jesse and Williams, pp. 203-241. | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Final Paper Presentation | No reading | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Final Paper Presentation | No reading | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Paper and Presentation | 1 | 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Interm papers and presentation | 3 | 60 | 1,2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 3 | 14 | 42 | Individual Learning and Reading | 4 | 13 | 52 | |||
| Class Discussion | 2 | 12 | 24 | Final Paper | 8 | 4 | 32 | |||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 31/03/2026 | |||||||||