Dealing with the Past and Doing Justice in Africa: South Africa, Rwanda, Sierra Leone

3 credits · Undergraduate credit

This course focuses on three transitional societies in Africa emerging from national nightmares and confronting their past: South Africa, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. Considering the political realities in each country, this course explores the opportunities and limitations of the different forums, and the dilemmas they present for enforcement, sovereignty, and justice. The course finally looks at the structure and functions of the controversial International Criminal Court and its potential to be an instrument for ensuring global accountability for the most serious crimes.