PSCI/INTR 276 The Politics of Insurgency

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  • Spring 2025
    Bethany Lacina
    Spring 2025 ("W" Optional) — T 14:00 - 16:40
    Course Syllabus

    This seminar deals with the logic of asymmetric conflicts between states and non-state actors. We will examine the military, political, and social factors that determine when and where asymmetric warfare is likely to occur. Students will complete short weekly assignments designed to prepare for class discussion. Those enrolled in the writing-intensive version of this seminar will complete a final research paper. Students in the non-writing-intensive version of the course will be given a take-home, open-note essay test as a final exam.

  • Fall 2019
    Bethany Lacina
    Fall 2019 ("W" Optional) — R 11:05 - 13:45
    Course Syllabus

    This seminar deals with the logic of asymmetric conflicts between states and non-state actors. We will examine the military, political, and social factors that determine when and where asymmetric warfare is likely to occur. Students will complete short weekly assignments designed to prepare for class discussion. Those enrolled in the writing-intensive version of this seminar will complete a final research paper. Students in the non-writing-intensive version of the course will be given a take-home, open-note essay test as a final exam.

  • Fall 2016
    Bethany Lacina
    Fall 2016 ("W" Optional) — R 14:00 - 16:40
    Course Syllabus

    This seminar examines the military, political, and social factors that determine how non-state actors can win conflicts against governments and the problems of recruitment, control, and targeting faced by rebel and terrorist groups. The grade in this class is based on attendance, participation, two group presentations, and writing assignments building toward a final, 20-page research paper.

  • Fall 2012
    Bethany Lacina
    Fall 2012 ("W" Optional) — T 14:00 - 16:40
    Course Syllabus

    This seminar examines the military, political, and social factors that determine how non-state actors can win conflicts against governments and the problems of recruitment, control, and targeting faced by rebel and terrorist groups. The grade in this class is based on attendance, participation, two group presentations, and writing assignments building toward a final, 20-page research paper.

  • Fall 2011
    Bethany Lacina
    Fall 2011 ("W" Optional) — T 14:00 - 16:40
    Course Syllabus

    This seminar focuses on the dynamics of violent conflicts between state and non-state actors. The three units of the course will cover strategies of insurgency, organizational problems faced by violent groups, and counter-insurgency. In addition to thematic readings, the class will choose a small set of insurgencies to study in depth. Students will complete 2 short papers and 2 group projects based on research and analysis of those insurgencies. Students taking the class for a W will have to write somewhat longer papers and turn in a final assignment that revises and synthesizes their earlier writing.

  • Fall 2010
    Bethany Lacina
    Fall 2010 ("W" Optional) — T 14:00 - 16:40
    Course Syllabus

    This seminar deals with the logic of asymmetric conflicts between states and non-state actors. We will examine the military, political, and social factors that determine when and where asymmetric warfare is likely to occur. Students will complete short weekly assignments designed to prepare for class discussion. Those enrolled in the writing-intensive version of this seminar will complete a final research paper. Students in the non-writing-intensive version of the course will be given a take-home, open-note essay test as a final exam.