After Atrocities

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This seminar course will take an interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of mass atrocities and genocide, their origins and after-effects. We will focus on understanding atrocities in both political and human terms. We will examine historical cases of atrocities as they unfolded, from the point of view of victims, perpetrators, and outsiders. We will explore the legal and political meaning of genocide and its relation to the broader question of atrocities. We will review efforts to hold perpetrators to account in the aftermath of atrocities through legal and other means, including an examination of the International Criminal Court. We will assess approaches to better understanding and trying to heal the deep psychological wounds of survivors of atrocities. We will examine recent efforts to prevent atrocities, such as the UN adoption of the principle of the “responsibility to protect” and the U.S. government establishment of the Atrocities Prevention Board.