91295 - Politics, Violence And Crime

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to: • identify and critically analyze the major research traditions and theories in the study of collective violence; • distinguish the major forms of collective violence, identifying the causes and dynamics; • link theory with empirical analysis on the subject of collective violence.

Course contents

The course examines different types of collective violence, including violence occurring in civil wars, instances of state repression, mafia and gang violence. The course is divided in three sections. The first section explores classic types of “political violence” (such as civil wars, revolutions and terrorism) looking at their origins and dynamics. The second section deals with violence perpetrated by states (such as repressions and genocides) and violence that occurs within states that does not challenge their existence or regime (such as that perpetrated by organized crime and gangs). The third section looks at the organizations that “produce” violence, and namely at insurgent and mafia groups, discussing their emergence, their internal functioning, their relations with violence, and their demise.

Readings/Bibliography

The full list of readings for students who regularly attend classes will be circulated on the first day of class and posted on the class website on “Insegnamenti Online”at iol.unibo.it

Students who do not regularly attend classes should read:

• Cederman, L. E., Gleditsch, K. S., & Buhaug, H. (2013). Inequality, grievances, and civil war. Cambridge University Press
• Catino, M. (2019). Mafia Organizations. The visible hand of criminal enterprise. Cambridge University Press
• Mampilly, Z. C. (2012). Rebel rulers: Insurgent governance and civilian life during war. Cornell University Press

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, class presentations

Assessment methods

Students who regularly attend classes will be assessed through a take-home midterm exam and final in-class written exam (1,5 hrs., 2 questions).

Students who DO NOT regularly attend classes will be assessed through a final written exam (2 hrs., 3 questions).

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Niccolò Moro