Courses taught by Harry Anastasiou
Fall Courses
International Peace and Conflict Studies: Theory and Practice
From a broad international and interdisciplinary perspective the course examines central issues pertinent to international peace and conflict in the modern and post-modern world. The “causes” of war and the conditions for sustainable peace are examined from multiple vantage points and theoretical approaches with a view to developing relevant, diagnostic conceptual frameworks and instruments for understanding conflict and the challenges of peace in the international setting. Sociological, psychological, political and cultural perspectives are brought to bear in an integrated manner on the central topics of war and peace addressed in the course. Among others, areas of attention include the role of nation-states, terrorism, theories of war, instruments of war, implications of modern weapons technology, nuclear weapons, economy and war, peace movements and peace theories, instruments of conflict resolution and peace building, diplomacy, international law, international organizations, human rights, economic wellbeing and peace, approaches to sustainable peace. The aim is to provide a working framework for analyzing the multidimensional nature of international conflict phenomena and for understanding the multidimensional perspectives and strategy fostering international peace.
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
From a conflict-resolution perspective the course entails an in-depth, interdisciplinary inquiry into leading perspectives and theories of nationalism. From a historical vantage point, nationalism is examined as a determinant factor of international and interethnic conflict. As a potent and prevalent world and life view, nationalism is analyzed through multiple case-specific conflict phenomena. The structure of conflict-prone nationalism in its recurrent and widespread appearance is analyzed and assessed in terms of its historical roots, evolution, structural patterns, mindset, and socio-political antecedents and consequences. The explosive reemergence of nationalism in the post cold-war era is also studied in light of social change under the conditions of globalization. A central area of inquiry is the deconstruction of the nationalist mind and the examination of how it configures identity, historiography, nationhood, democracy, political values, war and violence. The entire course follows a two-pronged approach involving a) a critical diagnosis of the phenomenon of nationalism as a contributor to conflict and b) the development of perspectives, strategies and options for transcending conflict-habituated and conflict-oriented nationalism.
Winter Courses
The European Union as a Peace Building System
This is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on the European Union as an inter- and trans-national system of conflict-resolution and peace building. In the context of globalization, socioeconomic and cultural changes, the European Union is examined by contrasting the nationalist conflicts of old Europe to post-war efforts in building a system of peace and security that transcends belligerent ethnocentric nationalism. The relationship between national interest, peace and security is critically examined in light of the European Union model as a historically novel system of governance. The relationship between peace and democracy in the European Union’s political norms, decision-making institutions, and process of integration is also analyzed. As an inter- and trans-national regime of the rule of law and human rights, the European Union is examined in light of its implication for international peace and democracy. The emerging European Union culture is explored in relation to group identity, ethnicity, nationality and peace. The relevance of the European Union as a peace-building system is also examined in the framework of globalization’s challenges and opportunities.
Neighbors and Enemies: Cyprus, Greece, Turkey
From the perspective of conflict resolution and peace studies, this course focuses on the protracted ethno-nationalist conflict between Greeks and Turks in the context of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. Special attention is given to the Cyprus problem as a case study of a divided society, and to Greek-Turkish relations as a case study of inter-sate conflict. The evolution and structure of the Greek-Turkish conflicts is also analyzed in terms of the role of domestic, foreign and international stakeholders, as well as of competing ideologies. Recent efforts at rapprochement between Turkey and Greece and between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are examined from the perspective of conflict transformation theories and practice. Against the backdrop of improved Greek-Turkish relations, efforts at resolving the Cyprus problem are analyzed in the context of the European Union’s enlargement in the Eastern Mediterranean. Attention is paid to emerging peace-enhancing, post-nationalist trends that may facilitate a new orientation toward reconciliation, peace and the normalization of relations between the Greek and Turkish people in the Eastern Mediterranean.
(Note: This course is a prerequisite for all graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in accompanying Professor Harry Anastasiou for a two-week, study-abroad program to Cyprus in September of the current year)
Spring Courses
American Nationalism and the World: A Peace and Conflict Studies Perspective
From the perspective of conflict analysis and peace studies this course examines the rise of American nationalism in the aftermath of the terrible attacks of September 11, 2001. Against the historical backdrop of the pre-9/11 era, it explores the particular configuration that American nationalism assumed in confronting the threat of terrorism and how it shaped US foreign policy, including the long-term engagements in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world. From a psychological, political and international vantage point the assertive nationalism of post-9/11 America is deconstructed, analyzed and assessed in relation to the development of policy, the shaping of public opinion, and the taking military option in the fight against Jihadist
militant groups around the world. The global impact of American nationalism and the "war on terror" is also examined and assessed from the perspective of democracy promotion in the international arena. Views of American from western, Arab and Muslim countries are also studied. The overarching perspective of the course is one of conflict analysis, challenges and prospects of ending conflict and attaining security and sustainable peace.
The Ethics of Peace and International Conflict
This interdisciplinary course entails a stepping back from the historical and concrete details of conflict and peace phenomena in an attempt to critically reflect on relevant foundational ethical issues regarding peace and conflict. By drawing from various disciplines, ethical questions are raised regarding violence, neighborliness, war, freedom, power, and peace in relation to the “human condition” in the modern and post-modern world. Phenomena common to the realm of human conflict, such as the reliance on power as a means of securing life and society, the shedding of blood as a means of liberation, justice, democracy etc. are examined in light of the ethics of peace and conflict. The course engages participants in critical reflection on the capacity or weakness of the human spirit to transcend the “tyranny of circumstances.” It also probes the existential realities of conflict and considers as to whether peace constitutes a prerequisite and vital function of human freedom, justice, democracy, hope and meaning.
Summer Courses
Peace Conflict and Globalization
From a conflict resolution and peace studies perspective the course examines how the phenomenon of globalization creates new conditions for understanding conflict as well as new challenges and opportunities for building peace. The factors which create and sustain the conditions for globalization, such as the evolution of technology, modern economies, communication systems, are analyzed from the vantage point of how they impact social, political and human conditions in regard to peace and conflict phenomena. From the perspective of developments in the post-modern era, globalizing conditions are examined to ascertain as to whether they contribute to or deter violent conflicts, or whether they undermine or enhance the quest for peace. By looking at how the phenomenon of globalization has changed the structure and framework of societies, the course addresses new challenges in regard to international peace and conflict issues. It does so from the vantage point of the challenges that globalization poses to traditional democracy and political governance, to culture and belief systems, and to individual and group identity. The study is interdisciplinary in approach and content.
Conflict and Dialogue
The course explores dialogue as a process of conflict resolution against the backdrop of the communication impasse that conflict creates. It examines the impact of conflict on communication processes between rivals, especially focusing on how conflict creates conditions of alienation and estrangement. By looking at different levels of communication (interpersonal, intergroup, international, etc.) the course explores how conflict conditions rival parties to interpret events, behaviors and actions in ways that distorts and blocks communication. In comparative contrast to this, the course also investigates the principles and processes of dialogue as a means of freeing communication from the constraining and skewing effects of protracted conflict. Dialogue is examined as a mode of interaction that may facilitate the resolution of conflict by opening up creative communicative processes between the parties concerned. While focusing on the relevance of dialogue for conflict-resolution and peace-enhancing communication in conflict situations, various theories of dialogue are explored. The course is highly interactive, incorporating the participants’ personal experiences and knowledge. Specific conflicts are selected and experimentally treated through the dialogical mode.
Study Abroad
Cyprus in Transition: Conflict Transformation in Ethically Divided Cyprus
The course offers the unique opportunity for a two-week program of study in the Eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Participants study, observe and experience, on location, the current state of affairs of ethnically divided Cyprus. In parallel with the formal and academic aspects of the program, students have the opportunity to engage in experience-based learning and conduct research on different facets of Cypriot society. Against the backdrop of its long history of interethnic conflict, Cyprus is currently a country in transition. Its struggle for interethnic peace and its recent membership in the European Union render Cyprus a concrete and fascinating case study for understanding the impact of conflict on society and culture, as well as for exploring the various means, strategies and perspectives available, and at work, for building interethnic cooperation, resolving interethnic conflict, and inducing conflict transformation aiming at establishing a sustainable peace-enhancing democracy.
While in Cyprus, direct contact with many of our local associates, non-governmental organizations and universities in Cyprus offer students the opportunity to explore prospects for returning to Cyprus for the purpose of conducting more in-depth research and/or complete internships.
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