Theories of The State, Violence, Nationalism, and Social Order

This seminar aims to provide a combination of broad overview and intense engagement with specific texts in theoretical discussions relevant to state formation, empire, war and violence, social control, and related issues. Such a course must by nature be highly selective in topics and readings given the broad historical, theoretical, and interdisciplinary scope of such a combination of topics (or of any one of them). We will read a selection of classical texts in historical sociology, social and legal theory, and anthropology, as well as more recent major contributions on relevant topics. The goal of the course is to engage in discussions and reflection that will stimulate further exploration in contemporary legal, social, and political theory to inform dissertations and other research initiatives.