Political Science: Minorities and Ethnic-Sectarian Conflict in the Middle East
Course · 15 credits
Description
The course analyses the historical development of ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East from the downfall of the Ottoman Empire to the present day. The course also draws attention to the unique aspects of different groups in the MENA area, such as the Kurds, Alawites, Maronites, Shiites and Sunnis.
The course also deals with the dominant theories about ethnic and / or sectarian identity (primordialism, constructivism and instrumentalism) and applies the theories to arguments about the role of group identities in politics. The course identifies circumstances under which identity-based conflicts tend to arise, and explains the causes and consequences of identity-based conflicts.
Based on an interdisciplinary approach, the significance of history, culture, religion, inequality, fear and insecurity for ethnic / sectarian conflicts is treated. The importance of geography, environmental issues and competition for natural resources is also highlighted. In this context, three case studies are presented: the civil war in Lebanon, Iraq after Saddam Hussein, and the Kurds in Turkey and northern Iraq.
Course documents
Closed for applications
Application opportunitiesContact
Department of Political Science
Visiting address
Eden, Allhelgona kyrkogata 14, Lund
Postal address
Box 52, 221 00 Lund
Daniel Alfons
Study advisor
+46 46 222 89 50
daniel [dot] alfons [at] svet [dot] lu [dot] se
Mats Janér
Study advisor
+46 46 222 80 48
mats [dot] janer [at] svet [dot] lu [dot] se
Requirements and selection
Entry requirements
Entry to the course requires 1-90 credits in political science or peace and conflict studies, including a bachelor thesis in one of these subjects, and 60 additional credits in completely completed courses, or students in the master's programme Welfare Policies and Management.
Selection criteria
English language requirements
Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.
How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements
Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
Apply
Start Spring Semester 2025
Day-time Lund, full time 100%
In English
Study period
24 March 2025 - 8 June 2025
Application
You can only apply for this course in the 'Swedish student' application round. Find out more: Applying for studies – when to apply
How to apply
Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.
Step 1: Apply online
- Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
- Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website - Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.
Step 2: Submit documents
- Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
- Get all your documents ready:
- official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
- official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
- passport/ID (all applicants) and
- proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
- Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
- Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.
* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below.
* Svensk student?
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se
Tuition fees
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 31 250
First payment: SEK 31 250
Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.
Tuition fees, payments and exemptions
EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Application fee
If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.
- Paying your application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Exemptions from paying the application fee – universityadmissions.se
- Convert currency – xe.com
*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.
Scholarships & funding
Lund University Global Scholarship programme
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.
Swedish Institute Scholarships
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.
Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website
Country-specific scholarships and funding options
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.