Degree Type

Thesis

Date of Award

2016

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Anthropology

Major

Anthropology

First Advisor

Maximilian S. Viatori

Abstract

In this thesis, I explore ethno-national resistance to reform efforts aimed at strengthening the national government and reintegrating the system of education in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This discussion stems from ethnographic fieldwork conducted during the summer of 2015, in response to an October 2014 Supreme Court ruling in the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina that found the “two schools under one roof” program unconstitutional, and ordered an end to its practice. Fieldwork was conducted primarily in one town in the Central Bosnia Canton, and my goal was to see whether there had been any proposed changes to local schools in response to the 2014 Supreme Court ruling, and if there had not, what local attitudes regarding such a ruling were, along with attitudes about the “two schools under one roof” program, and education in BiH in general. I draw upon discussions concerned with post-conflict reconciliation, ethnic identity, and language ideology to explore the tensions that exist between state-level mandates aimed at reintegration, and the preferences of Bosnia-Herzegovina's ruling elites. I demonstrate that the power-sharing mechanisms established in the Dayton Peace Accords have enabled ethno-national leaders to resist reforms aimed at a centralized state, which has allowed the “two schools under one roof” program to continue. In doing so, I argue that ethno-national resistance to reform and reintegration efforts further encourages spatial divisions, and allows schools to become private spaces that are used for the reproduction of ethno-national identities rather than as forums for cohesion and the interaction of a common citizenry.

Copyright Owner

Drazen Juric

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

File Size

99 pages

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