Course Catalogue

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You will engage with interdisciplinary contributions to the study of genocide and related mass atrocities in the 20th century; and explore case studies of internationally recognized examples of genocide, such as the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Europe from 1939-1945, and the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as well as examples that have been subject to debate, such as the Khmer Rouge-perpetrated 'auto-genocide' in modern-day Cambodia from 1975-1979, and the Canadian residential school system for indigenous children that existed from 1867 to 1996. Historical case studies will provide a foundation for evaluating the strengths and limitations of the legal definitions of genocide and related mass atrocities, international efforts to prevent and punish genocide, and the importance of recognition and reparations in the aftermath of genocide, among other key themes.

Ten 2-hour workshops over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus. This is one of the Honours options in History and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into History, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes.

HIST4263: Genocide in the Modern World (SS)

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Research essay (2,500 words) - 60%

■ Reading Responses - (4x250 words) - 40%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the assessments, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Engage with case studies of genocide across the 20th century, with attention to theoretical and disciplinary approaches.

■ Consider changing legal definitions of genocide and mass human rights violations;

■ Develop professional skills in close reading, collaborative discussion, independent research and persuasive written argument.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss in a critical manner key theoretical and historiographic issues concerning the study of genocide and related mass atrocities in the 20th century;

2. Critically evaluate and interpret primary sources related to genocide, and bring them into conversation with relevant secondary literature to produce informed conclusions on a case study;

3. Evaluate controversies that surround policy, academic, and public discourses related to genocide and related mass atrocities and communicate effectively about these controversies in class discussions;

4. Draw informed conclusions about how genocide and related mass atrocities take shape within a community, and the long-term legacies of such violence for surviving communities.