Since the end of the Cold War, the international community has grappled with the challenge of stabilizing and reconstructing failed states and war-torn societies, from Haiti to Afghanistan, Liberia to Iraq. The record of these efforts has been decidedly mixed. Yet the persistence of state failure, internal violence and human suffering means that the United States and its partners will face continual pressure to intervene in and assist the recovery of conflict prone-societies. This course seeks to provide students with a thorough understanding of the main assumptions, actors, challenges and dilemmas in contemporary "nation-building" exercises. Drawing on the historical record and more recent experiences, we will seek to clarify the nature of the task(s); identify the requirements for sustainable reconstruction and peace-building; examine the evolving roles and approaches of the United States, the United Nations, host governments and other key actors; analyze the determinants of success or failure in recent cases; and develop policy options for contemporary challenges. The course will include simulations, role plays and oral presentations as well as written papers. Please note that in order to accommodate simulations and role plays, five sessions at the beginning of the spring semester will extend until 9pm.