This program instructs students through a range of comparative approaches to the study of conflict outcomes and democratic systems of governance. It specifically instructs students on the nature of different forms of conflict including conflict between states, within states, and sub-national conflict.       

Students will learn about the determinants of conflict onset, duration, and resolution. Likewise, they will study the different strategies of collective action that can be observed in contexts featuring both nonviolent dissent and political violence (including civil war and stages of radicalization), along with how these strategic processes influence empirical trends of democratization.       

The Conflict and Democracy Studies concentration draws from scientific literature found in top political science and international relations journals to teach students about the most recent theoretical and empirical trends on democratic backsliding, individual and group based forms of radicalization, and humanitarian intervention, including conflict resolution. Together, these topics will provide students with a thorough overview of the interplay between democratic institutions and conflict.           

Upon completion, our students will acquire an ability to develop logically coherent arguments on conflict and democracy; synthesize different literatures pertaining to specific research questions and outcomes; draw on popularly used data sets to inform their qualitative assessment of single or multi-country cases; understand the trends inherent to the outbreak and duration of different forms of conflict.

Beyond the classroom you can join student clubs like Diplomacy or Model UN, practice your debate skills at a faculty-student debate or discuss current political issues with professors and local experts at an event like ‘Professors in the Pub’.       

AAU’s Career Center also connects students with numerous professional internships in the Czech Republic and abroad every year.           

Learning Outcomes:         

Graduates of the B.A. in Political Science: Conflict and Democracy Studies can expect to:   

• Successfully differentiate between different conflict processes.

• Understand the trends and correlations associated with democracy and conflict.

• Explain why some types of countries are likelier than others to experience civil war.

• Explain the evolution of United Nations peace keeping operations (PKOs).

• Differentiate between varying cleavages of ethnic and religious motivations in conflict.

• Understand the types of political, judicial, and economic constraints that democratic institutions present political actors in conflict settings.           

Career Prospects:              

AAU graduates thrive in multinational environments and are able to communicate professionally in English to international audiences. As a graduate of this degree program, you will be well equipped to continue your studies or pursue a global career in areas such as:           

• Governmental, Foreign Affairs Institutions

• International Organizations

• Think Tanks

• Humanitarian Government or NGO’s

• Pursuing of Advanced/Postgraduate Degree               

Qualification Awarded:                  

The Bachelor’s degree awarded is concurrently recognized as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in the United States, per AAU’s accreditation by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, and as a Bakalář (Bc.) in the Czech Republic, per AAU’s accreditation by the National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education (NABHE). Graduates may select whether to use the U.S. post-nominal or the Czech pre-nominal title.

This concentration is accredited by the National Accrediting Bureau for Higher Education. Its completion will be indicated on the transcript, diploma, and diploma supplement.