Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2026

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Advisor(s)

Olena Nikolayenko, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Oliver Murphey, Ph.D.

Abstract

This thesis examines how education and media shape the ethnic and national identities of postwar youth in Kosovo and Serbia, and how these identities influence the narratives these youth form of the war and of each other. Although born after the war, youth in both countries inherit divergent narratives of the war through school, traditional media, and social media. Using a qualitative, multi-source methodology, this thesis conducts a comparative analysis of textbooks, reporting and regional survey data on institutional trust. The findings reveal that textbooks in Kosovo and Serbia present accounts of the war that are ethnically biased and selective, often omitting information. These narratives are then reinforced through media outlets and emotionally charged social media content. As a result, youth internalize identities rooted in victimhood and national belonging, perpetuating interethnic mistrust. While moments of empathy can be found on social media, they are rare compare to the dominant divisive narratives spread throughout institutions. The thesis concludes that institutional reform in education and media is crucial for improving future interethnic relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

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