The U.S. led intervention in 2003 brought dramatic changes to Iraq. It was hoped that free from the oppression of Saddam Hussein, the country would be transformed into a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. Iraq has indeed been transformed, but into a zone of conflict and instability; a quagmire of competing ethno-sectarian political and social forces. This course will articulate debates concerning the "artificiality" of the state, national identity, dictatorship, tribalism and gender relations. Against the backdrop of these debates, we will analyze the sectarian, ethnic and religious tensions, threatening to fragment Iraq today. This course is open to the students in the Honors Program in Peace & Conflict Studies only and to other students by permission.

Discipline: POL