* @return A List of strings, never null
     * @throws IllegalArgumentException if the value is not a String or List
     */
    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
    public static List<String> getStringList(final Map<String, Object> map, final String key) {
        final Object value = map.get(key);
        if (value == null) {
            return new ArrayList<>();
        }