Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46
Scotland’s independence referendum encouraged many people to reflect on the process of state creation, sometimes called secession, for the first time. This course examines the bigger picture of independence and secession processes in a broad sense. We look comparatively at cases such as Kosovo, South Sudan, Chiapas, and Sri Lanka (as well as Scotland). We study the development of secession as a process and political outcome. Students are encouraged to reflect on how secessionist politics challenges or reinforces the role of the state and international organisations.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Second Sub Session | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.
In this course, we study secessionist movements across the world and contextualize them in the global political system. Secessionist movements contest the role of their state and the state as a governing body, more generally. They also challenge international organisations to respond to their demands. Secessionist movements are thus interesting and instructive political forces for thinking about the future of governance locally and globally.
The course begins with an introduction to the history of secession politically and conceptually. We identify different types of secession movements, considering diverse ideological orientations, grievances against the state, and political contexts. We begin to develop knowledge of key empirical cases, including but not limited to Kosovo, South Sudan, Chiapas, Sri Lanka, and Scotland. These ground our analysis throughout the course. Next, we focus on how secessionist demands are mobilized. We look at role of political parties, violent tactics, ethnic conflict, and transnational movements. Finally, we conclude by reflecting on the role of the state and international system in responding to secessionist movements including through processes of accommodation, international recognition, and mediation.
This course introduces students to the wide variety of secessionist movements in the world. Taking these cases, students are encouraged to use comparison in seminars and in assessments as a way of understanding and explaining the politics of secession.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 45 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 30 | Feedback Weeks | 33 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Distinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes. |
| Procedural | Apply | Apply the comparative method to explain secession demands, processes, and outcomes and the differences between them. |
| Reflection | Create | Propose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 39 | Feedback Weeks | 42 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Distinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes. |
| Reflection | Create | Propose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35 | Feedback Weeks | 26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided by e-mail following each presentation. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Distinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes. |
| Procedural | Apply | Apply the comparative method to explain secession demands, processes, and outcomes and the differences between them. |
| Reflection | Create | Propose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 49,50 | Feedback Weeks | 52,53 | |
| Feedback |
Take home exam will give students 4 questions, of which they need to answer 2. Feedback will be provided on MyAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Distinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes. |
| Reflection | Create | Propose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes. |
| Conceptual | Understand | Understand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics. |
| Procedural | Apply | Apply the comparative method to explain secession demands, processes, and outcomes and the differences between them. |
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