Module description
This module interrogates the phenomenon of genocide and atrocity in war. It is a multi-disciplinary study drawing on insights from history, international relations, law, social psychology, sociology, criminology and ethics. The module explores the following questions: What is genocide and atrocity? What is the legal definition of genocide and other atrocity crimes? How is genocide ‘constructed’? What motivates genocidaires? Why is rape and sexual assault so often used in genocidal wars? How are atrocities rationalised in war? What conditions facilitate genocide?We address these questions through a series of historical case studies of twentieth century genocides, from Armenia at the start of the century to Rwanda toward the end. We end the module with a workshop on genocide prevention, protection and response via the Responsibility to Protect.
Assessment details
| Book Review |
700 words |
30% |
| Essay |
1800 words |
70% |
Educational aims & objectives
The aims of this module are to:
- Promote multidisciplinary understanding of concepts, issues and debates regarding War,Genocide and Atrocity.
- Encourage understanding of the interaction between War, Genocide and Atrocity.
- Appreciate the relationship between Genocide/Atrocity and the peace-conflict axis.
- Understand the genesis, development and application of the 1948 United Nations Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect.
- Foster conscious critical reading and discussion of issues of collective identity and its relation to national narratives of grievance, and the consequences for international order and international security.
- Complement core course work on the social dimension of war and international order.
- Provide a curriculum supported by cutting-edge scholarship and a vibrant research culture that promotes depth and breadth of academic inquiry and debate.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module you will have developed:
- Familiarity with key concepts of Genocide, War and Atrocity
- Understanding of the variety of relationship within and between states and social groups
- Understanding of the relationship of Genocide, Atrocity and War to various aspects of security
- Understanding of the legal framework for the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and the Responsibility to Protect.
- Command of key concepts such as Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, ethnicity, nation, state,nationalism, Gender.
- Understanding of the relationship of Genocide to violence, national grievance and nationhood,foreign policy.
- Critical engagement with the literature on different approaches to Genocide in history and the social sciences, as well as international criminal law, where appropriate.
- Knowledge and understanding of Genocide, War and Atrocity in relation to specific empirical cases
- Understanding of the problems and possible solutions to contemporary issues of Genocide, War And Atrocity
- Practice in constructing reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgment.
- Practice in reflection on your learning and seeking and making use of constructive feedback.
- Initiative to manage your own learning and work both independently and in groups to achieve common goals.
Teaching pattern
Seminars/Tutorials: The module is taught in 10 x 2 hour interactive lecture/seminars. Each 2-hour session will open with a brief introduction to the topic, supported by online materials and readings provided on KEATS and on the module reading list, and will include discussion, student presentations,group work and focused activities. There may also be an opportunity for a residential trip related to the module content.