production
Skip to Content

PI3582: THE GLOBAL POLITICS OF SECESSION (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

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.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Judith Sijstermans

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Either International Relations (IR) or Politics (PI)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Programme Level 3

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • PI3082 The Global Politics of Secession (Passed)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

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.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Research Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 45
Assessment Weeks 30 Feedback Weeks 33

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics.
ProceduralAnalyseDistinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes.
ProceduralApplyApply the comparative method to explain secession demands, processes, and outcomes and the differences between them.
ReflectionCreatePropose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes.

Case Study Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 35
Assessment Weeks 39 Feedback Weeks 42

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics.
ProceduralAnalyseDistinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes.
ReflectionCreatePropose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes.

Oral Presentation: Group

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

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Written feedback will be provided by e-mail following each presentation.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics.
ProceduralAnalyseDistinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes.
ProceduralApplyApply the comparative method to explain secession demands, processes, and outcomes and the differences between them.
ReflectionCreatePropose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 49,50 Feedback Weeks 52,53

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Take home exam will give students 4 questions, of which they need to answer 2. Feedback will be provided on MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseDistinguish different types of secessionist movements and different types of responses used by states and international organisations during territorial conflicts and secession processes.
ReflectionCreatePropose political strategies available to secessionist actors, states, and international organisations to de-escalate, mediate and resolve territorial disputes.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstand the process of secession and dynamics of secessionist politics, considering the diversity of these processes and the wider context of international politics.
ProceduralApplyApply the comparative method to explain secession demands, processes, and outcomes and the differences between them.

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.