Qualitative Methods and The Study of Civil War

The course is about the application of qualitative methods to the study of civil war. It begins with an overview of the cutting edge in qualitative methods. It assess methods inspired by positivism (case studies, process tracing, counterfactual analysis) and methods in more interprative nature (discourse, ethnography, textual analysis). The course also review the promise (and pitfalls) of methodological pluralism.

Knowledge – the student shall: - be able to assess and use different qualitative methods in the study of civil war. - be in command of the area’s scientific theory and methods and be able to contribute to the development of new knowledge in the discipline. Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to: - treat one of the themes which was discussed in instruction in an independent empirical analytical manner which is at a high international level.

Lectures/group discussions. Supervision of term paper. The essay is to be an independent discussion of a topic taught in lectures. Length of paper: 6000-10000 words. The course is given in co-operation with Centre for the Study of Civil War, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). The course is offered when it is available teaching resources at PRIO.