INT2120 - After war: justice, memory, reconciliation

Leader(s): Mark Baker

Offered

Not offered in 2009

Synopsis

This unit addresses the contemporary histories of post-genocide and post-conflict societies, through three specific cases: European Jews after the Holocaust; the South African approach after apartheid; and local and global responses to the Rwandan genocide. A focus of the unit will explore the manifold social relations between perpetrators, victims and bystanders in an age of 'neighbour killing' and the public debates on memory and justice. Topics include: retribution at Nuremberg; Nazi reparations; trauma and testimony; the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commissions; the Rwandan 'Gacaca' courts; cultural losses; familial and communal relations after massive social upheaval.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will have:

1. an understanding of the human impact of genocide and conflict on the communities that survive it
2. an understanding of the modern historical contexts in which these conflicts emerged
3. an appreciation of the issues and the agencies involved in rebuilding states and societies after genocide and conflict
4. In addition, third-year students will develop the capacity to describe and analyse questions of memory and justice using historical examples.

Assessment

Major essay (2500 words): 50%
Short writing exercise or text analysis (1000 words): 20%
Exam (1000 words equivalent): 30%

Contact hours

One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prohibitions

INT3120, INT3140, INT4140, ITM4140