This course examines genocide in the political, economic, legal and social contexts of the post-World War II era. The origins and nature of genocide need exploring if prevention or intervention strategies are to be developed. A theoretical method of studying genocide is developed through a comparative and multidisciplinary focus on case studies, including Rwanda, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bosnia. Post-genocide initiatives are explored: war crimes tribunals, reconciliation mechanisms, reparations and restitution, memorialisation, combating denialism, the commercialisation of genocide, and the ongoing impacts of trauma on victim groups.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- To understand why the Genocide Convention has had little success in preventing genocide since 1945.
- To understand the socio-political conditions under which systematic mass killings occur.
- To analyze the motives for, and the ideological bases of, such killings
- To observe the techniques & technologies used in genocides
- To pinpoint legal and moral responsibility for their occurrence
- To assess gradations of genocide and the problems linked to debates about definitions of genocide
- To understand the role of bystanders in the genocide process
- To review what structures are in place to punish & prevent genocides & their denial
- To use the knowledge gained in course to critically analyse current developments in international politics with reference to mass killings
- To assess possible future developments
- To reflect on, and critically discuss the key themes of the course.
Indicative Assessment
A case study 1500 words (35%), final essay 3000 words (55%), tutorial participation (10%).
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Workload
1 x two hour lecture and one tutorial per week.Requisite and Incompatibility
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2604 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $3576 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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