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79422-01 - Seminar: Conflict Systems and Networks in International Politics (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Julián Arévalo (julian.arevalo@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course examines violent conflict as a complex system of actors, where outcomes emerge from their interactive decisions. Building on network theory and research on transnational conflict linkages, it analyzes how ties among states, rebel groups, and external actors shape conflict dynamics. The course integrates insights on rebel fragmentation and alliance formation with recent network perspectives on conflict internationalization. Students will explore how network structures influence diffusion, negotiation, cooperation, and escalation across borders. Overall, the course provides analytical tools to understand conflict as a dynamic, multi-level network. |
| Learning objectives | 1. Analyze violent conflict as a complex system by examining how networks of state and non-state actors shape conflict dynamics across local, regional, and international levels. 2. Apply concepts and methods from network theory to understand patterns of cooperation, negotiation, fragmentation, diffusion, and escalation in civil and internationalized conflicts. 3. Evaluate how relationships among governments, rebel groups, and external actors influence alliance formation, intervention strategies, and the evolution of conflict systems. 4. Become familiar with contemporary research on transnational conflict linkages and conflict internationalization, using network-based perspectives to interpret empirical cases and theoretical debates. |
| Bibliography | Arévalo, J. and Däpp, K. (2026) “Strategic Readiness in Multiparty Conflicts: the case of the US–Taliban Negotiations,” Submitted [Preprint]. Balcells, L., Chen, C. and Pischedda, C. (2022) “Do Birds of a Feather Flock Together? Rebel Constituencies and Civil War Alliances,” International Studies Quarterly, 66(1), p. sqab095. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/isq/sqab095. Bell, A. and Aslam, W. (2025) “Threads of Peace: Leadership and Conflict Resolution in Nested Negotiation Networks,” Negotiation Journal, 41, pp. 128–167. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1162/ngtn_a_00020. Ben Hammou, S. and Powell, J. (2025) “Following the Free Officers: Explaining the Politics of Coup Contagion and Containment,” International Studies Review, 27(4), p. viaf033. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viaf033. Duursma, A. et al. (2026) “The Conflict Network Explorer: a web-based tool for visualizing conflict,” Journal of Peace Research, p. xjag056. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/jopres/xjag056. Gleditsch, K.S. (2007) “Transnational Dimensions of Civil War,” Journal of Peace Research, 44(3), pp. 293–309. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343307076637. Gunitsky, S. (2018) “Democratic Waves in Historical Perspective,” Perspectives on Politics, 16(3), pp. 634–651. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592718001044. Hannigan, C. (2019) “Toward a holistic networks approach to strategic third-party intervention: A literature review,” International Area Studies Review, 22(3), pp. 277–292. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/2233865919833972. Jackson, M.O. (2010) Social and Economic Networks. Illustrated edition. Princeton, N.J. Woodstock: Princeton University Press. Metternich, N.W. et al. (2013) “Antigovernment Networks in Civil Conflicts: How Network Structures Affect Conflictual Behavior,” American Journal of Political Science, 57(4), pp. 892–911. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12039. Miller, M.K., Joseph, M. and Ohl, D. (2018) “Are Coups Really Contagious? An Extreme Bounds Analysis of Political Diffusion,” Journal of Conflict Resolution, 62(2), pp. 410–441. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002716649232. Prell, C., Hubacek, K. and Reed, M. (2009) “Stakeholder Analysis and Social Network Analysis in Natural Resource Management,” Society & Natural Resources, 22(6), pp. 501–518. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920802199202. Schissler, F. et al. (2026) “The internationalization of intrastate conflict: A network perspective on empirical evidence and theoretical explanations,” Cooperation and Conflict [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/00108367251413148. Tønnesson, S., Zaw Oo, M. and Aung, N.L. (2022) “Non-inclusive ceasefires do not bring peace: findings from Myanmar,” Small Wars & Insurgencies, 33(3), pp. 313–349. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09592318.2021.1991141. Turner, C. and Palmiano Federer, J. (2026) “Relationality and ‘peace listening’ in the Maputo Accord process in Mozambique,” Review of International Studies, pp. 1–22. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210526101909. Wilcox, D.J. (2026) “Refocusing the Boundary Spanner: Individuals, Their Activities and the Development of Relations between Conflict Parties,” International Negotiation, 1(aop), pp. 1–32. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1163/15718069-bja10130. |
| Comments | All Seminars will be graded in the Department of Political Science. Grading scale 6.0 to 1.0, whereupon 4.0 is a pass. The number of participants will be limited. The places are assigned according to date of enrollment and subject of study. Priority will be given to students of Political Science. |
| Admission requirements | • Each student or group of students will co-lead with the instructor the discussion of one of the sessions, which includes reading the article(s) for the class, preparing and delivering an oral presentation. • Each student or group of students will work on a research project in which they apply the concepts studied in the course for a conflict of their interest. • There will be a written exam (without computer or other resources) at the end of the semester. Grades - Oral presentation: 30% - Research project: 35% - Final exam: 35% Expectations for each of the graded components Oral Presentation • Each student or group will co-lead one class session together with the instructor. Students are expected to have carefully read and engaged with the assigned article(s) and other materials for that session. • The presentation should identify and explain the main arguments, concepts, and findings of the assigned reading(s), while connecting them to the broader themes of the course. • Students should present rather than read a prepared text aloud. The objective is to explain the topic clearly in their own words and demonstrate their understanding of the material. • An important part of the assignment is to lead and stimulate class discussion. Presenters should prepare questions, examples, or other activities that encourage participation and engagement with the topic. • Presentations may include additional examples, cases, data, or other material that helps illustrate or critically assess the arguments in the readings. • Students should prepare a PowerPoint presentation and send the final slides to the instructor. The slides will be made available to the other students as part of the course materials. IA used must be declared if used. • Presentations work on a “first come, first served” basis upon registration in this link. Research project (35%) • Each student or group (of maximum 3 students) will develop a research project applying concepts, theories, or methods discussed in the course to a conflict or international political issue of their choice. • Students are encouraged to develop an innovative application of the material covered in class. Projects may also build on topics, cases, research questions, or professional interests that students are already working on, provided that they establish a clear connection with the themes of the course. • Students will meet with the instructor during the semester (see dates below) to discuss and develop their project idea. At this stage, they should propose a preliminary research question, case or topic, and explain how they intend to use concepts or approaches from the course. • Projects should demonstrate an ability to move beyond description and use a systems and/or network perspective to analyze the selected problem. Depending on the topic, this may involve concepts such as interdependence, feedback, adaptation, emergence, network structures, diffusion, or relationships among actors. • The final project should clearly explain the research question or problem, the analytical approach adopted, the relevant evidence or material, and the conclusions that can be drawn from the analysis. • The extension of the final document should be of a maximum of 8000 words. Final exam (35%) • The final exam (see date below) will consist of open-ended questions addressing the main topics, concepts, theories, and approaches covered during the course. • Students will be expected not only to define or describe concepts but also to explain, compare, and apply them, including through examples or conflict cases where appropriate. • Questions may ask students to establish connections between different parts of the course and to discuss how systems and network approaches contribute to understanding conflict and international politics. • The exam will be completed without computers, notes, readings, or other external resources. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 16.15-17.45 | Bernoullistrasse 14/16, Seminarraum 02.004 |
Dates
| Modules |
Module: Conflicts and Peacebuilding (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Module: Extension Social Sciences (Master's degree subject: Political Science – Inequality, Power, Conflict) Module: Inequality, Power, Conflict (Master's degree subject: Political Science – Inequality, Power, Conflict) Module: Sustainable Societies: Inequality, Power, Conflict (Master's degree program: Changing Societies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | • Each student or group of students will co-lead with the instructor the discussion of one of the sessions, which includes reading the article(s) for the class, preparing and delivering an oral presentation. • Each student or group of students will work on a project in which they apply the concepts studied in the course for a conflict of their interest. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Politikwissenschaft |