GV4B8      Half Unit
Civil Wars: Concepts and Cases

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Bill Kissane

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe, MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Columbia), MSc in Culture and Conflict in a Global Europe (LSE & Sciences Po), MSc in Gender, Peace and Security and MSc in Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.

How to apply: to apply for a place on this course, please write a short statement of 200 words (max) outlining the specific reasons for applying and how the course will benefit your academic/career goals. Priority will be given to students on the programmes listed in the ‘availability’ section of the course guide. You should check that you meet any pre-requisites in the course guide before applying (where applicable). Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.  

Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 26 September 2025. You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 29 September 2025. Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.

For queries contact: gov.msc@lse.ac.uk  

Course content

The course examines social science explanations of the origins, intractability and outcomes of civil wars. It does this through the comparative analysis of various cases. These cases may vary from year to year. Particular stress is on: The concept of civil war. Patterns of civil war since 1945. Decolonization and civil war. Large N approaches. Recurrent civil war. Violence against civilians in civil war. Civil war and insurgency. State collapse and civil war.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

Formative assessment

Essay (1500 words)

All students are expected to submit one non-assessed essay of 1,500 words.

 

Indicative reading

Bill Kissane, Nations Torn Asunder; The Challenge of Civil War, OUP 2016.

Assessment

Essay (100%, 3000 words) in Spring Term Week 1


Key facts

Department: Government

Course Study Period: Winter Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Keywords: Conflict Studies, Civil Wars, Political Science, Comparative Politics

Total students 2024/25: Unavailable

Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Communication