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.

• 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.

A case study 1500 words (35%), final essay 3000 words (55%), tutorial participation (10%).

6 units of first year POLS and 6 units of later year POLS, or with the permission of the convenor.