Chip's courses

Chip Gagnon
Associate Professor
Department of Politics
Ithaca College
e-mail: vgagnon@ithaca.edu
(607) 274-1103

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Spring 2008

Seminar: Nationalism and Violent Conflict - (310-40100-02)
From Rwanda to western Europe, from Bosnia to the US, many of the violent conflicts taking place in the world today are framed in cultural terms, as ethnic, nationalist, or religious. Some argue that the major cause of violent conflict in the post-cold war era will be clashes between cultures or culturally-defined civilizations. In this scenario, cultural difference itself is the cause of violence. But i
s cultural diversity itself enough to explain hatred and killing? Will the wars of the future be fought over culture? What is the relationship between nationalism, cultural identity, violence, and state power? Is there a link between globalization and culturally-framed conflict? Is US foreign policy driven by culture? These are among the questions we'll be thinking about this semester.
Syllabus and required readings

 

Fall 2007

Introduction to International Relations - 310-12800-01, 02
An introductory level course meant to introduce students to the major schools of thought in the field of international relations, as well as some of the basic issues facing the global community. Requires students to understand and analyze events from different perspectives. Discussion and lecture.
Syllabus | Required readings schedule

 

Whiteness and Multiculturalism - 310-33600-01
What does it mean to be white in the US today? In the world? This course explores this under-studied aspect of race, examining various ways in which "white" as a racial category has been and is currently defined. Focus ranges from the personal to the global, including societies around the world. Enrollment limited to 20; seminar format (discussion).
Syllabus | Required readings schedule


Previously taught courses

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