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Study information

Political Economy of Armed Conflicts

Module titlePolitical Economy of Armed Conflicts
Module codePOL2116
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Weeda Mehran (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

40

Module description

Since the 1980s, there has been a rapid expansion of literature on political economy of armed conflicts, civil wars or humanitarian emergencies. Traditionally, wars were perceived to disrupt conditions under which economic laws apply, however, wars generate new licit and illicit economies that, in turn, contribute to the longevity of armed conflicts.  In this module, you will study about economic networks (international, national and local) that support and feed into armed conflicts e.g. companies benefiting from wars, warlords and war economies, economies of terrorism etc.  The module will explore a range of theories in the field and will explore the applicability of these theories in examples in the Middle East (e.g. Syria and Iraq), South Asia (Afghanistan), & Africa (Sierra Leon, Angola and DRC).  In this module, you will also learn about the challenges of transforming war economies into peace economies. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The overarching objective of the class is for you to develop interdisciplinary and scientific skills critical for understanding the complexity of the politics and economies of armed conflict.  Through a combination of readings, critical discussions, watching documentaries & media analysis, lectures, analysis of current events, and participatory exercises (e.g. group work and presentations), you will develop a core base of knowledge about war economies and resilience of illicit economies of wars.   

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of economic foundations of wars
  • 2. Appreciate economic foundations of inter-state and intra-state armed conflicts through a wide range of examples of current and historical conflicts

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Appreciate the complexities of the topic and the interlinkages between politics, sociology and economics perspectives aimed at providing a wholistic understanding of economic foundations of armed conflicts.
  • 4. Acquire and display a range of conceptual frameworks and theories from various relevant fields.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Demonstrate empathic appreciation of policy decisions.
  • 6. Demonstrate awareness of contingency in decision-making processes.
  • 7. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited timeframe, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.
  • 8. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.
  • 9. Demonstrate critical and analytical skills through tutorial discussions and module assessments
  • 10. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the internet, online journal databases and other IT resources for the purposes of tutorial and assessment preparation.
  • 11. Demonstrate effective applied writing.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Conceptual and theoretical frameworks in studying armed conflicts
  • Historical trends
  • Political economy of natural resources
  • Licit and illicit economic roots of armed conflicts
  • Transformation of war economies into peace economies 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities2211 x 2hr lecture/seminar classes
Guided independent study50Private study – reading and preparing for lectures/seminars
Guided independent study78Preparation for essay and pre-seen exam – including researching and collating relevant sources; planning the structure and argument; writing up the essay

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Reflection paper outline 500 words1-11Peer-assessed

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay501,500 words1-11Written
Essay501,500 words1-11Written
0
0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (1500 words)1-11August/September reassessment period
EssayEssay (1500 words)1-11August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

1)    Stubbs, Richard,2018, “Rethinking Asia’s Economic Miracle: The Political Economy of War, Prosperity and Crisis”, 2nd Edition, US: Palgrave

2)    Berman, Eli, 2009, “Radical, Religious, and Violent: The New Economics of Terrorism”, London: The MIT Press,

3)    Humphreys, Macartan, Jeffrey Sachs, Joseph Stiglitz, 2007, “Escaping the Resource Curse”, New York: Columbia University Press,

4)    Journal articles and research & Policy Reports

Key words search

War & armed conflicts, political economies, resource curse, illicit economies of war machine  

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

none

Module co-requisites

none

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Origin date

12/01/2020

Last revision date

12/01/2020