International Law and Holocaust

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

A big part of contemporary international law has a direct connection to the Holocaust. This course examines the evolution of international law from World War II on with a particular focus on genocide, and crimes against humanity. Students will learn, examine, and evaluate modern theories of international law and political science. Which theory best explains the evolution of international law? Are post WWII theories - realism, liberalism, constructivism - better able to redefine pre-existing ideas about human behavior in times of conflict? We will examine how the Holocaust and World War II have shaped the need for interstate peace, and how these events became major catalysts for modern international justice. We will also consider the meaning of international justice (empirical and via theoretical lenses), its execution on the international arena, and the way that this concept has evolved in the post-war period. Can inferences about human behavior during Holocaust be generalized to modern incidents of genocide? Can we identify generalizable factors (social, economic, political, etc.) that are linked to violations of international law? Which among the various theoretical and methodological approaches within international relations provide the most useful tools to understand and study Holocaust? What is the value of using in-depth qualitative interviews, field work, and large-N statistical studies to elucidate mechanisms of mass atrocities? This seminar embraces an interdisciplinary approach to teaching: we will study international law through visiting historical landmarks in Poland (Auschwitz concentration camp, Stutthof Museum and Archives, Museum of Polish Jews, the Warsaw Rising Museum, Museum of the Second World War, Westerplatte, Solidarity Museum), focusing on international law/political science theories, in-depth interviews, participants observations, documentary films, and meetings with Polish policymakers. In sum, this course teaches students learn to use empirically-based information (in-depth interviews, memoirs, participant observations) to illuminate theories of international relations and international law.