Course: Genocide and Group Hostility

Genocide and Group Hostility

In this course we will explore genocide and other mass atrocities, using the Srebrenica genocide as our main case study.

PILOT VERSION – PLEASE DO NOT SHARE

The UN Genocide Convention was negotiated and adopted in 1948 in the aftermath of the Holocaust. In this course, we will explore selected cases from recent decades affecting different ethnic and/or religious groups: Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina (Srebrenica), Tutsis in Rwanda, Bosnian, and Yazidis in Iraq and Syria. When discussing genocide and other mass atrocities, we will also consider more recent cases of mass atrocities that have been reviewed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the obligation of states to prevent genocide.

Course Aims

This course will provide resources that enable you to

  • Recognize shared characteristics and key differences that define genocide and other mass atrocities
  • Understand genocide through the lens of different cases from recent decades
  • Explore the relationship between group hostility, religious identity, gender, and genocide
  • Recognize warning signals that may escalate to genocide or other mass atrocities, and gain insight into preventive mechanisms
  • Learn about different legal and non-legal approaches to restoration after genocide.

Course Modules

This course is divided into four main modules, addressing the following main topics:

Module 1: GENOCIDE

  • the definition of genocide according to the UN Genocide convention; other conceptions of genocide; political use/misuse of the term
  • differences and similarities between genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and other types of mass atrocities

Module 2: GROUP HOSTILITY

  • group hostility and dehumanization as factors leading up to genocide, as well as political/contextual and other factors used to mobilize for genocide

Module 3: PREVENTION

  • recognition of warning signals, possible escalations towards genocide
  • mechanisms for the prevention of genocide

Module 4: RESTORATION

  • the struggle against impunity after genocide
  • models for reconciliation after genocide

Approach / Methodology

This is an interdisciplinary course, which integrates international human rights law with perspectives from other disciplines such as history and political science. The course is also characterized by a comparative and case-based approach.

How to use the course

This course makes use of audio-visual tools such as expert interviews and short documentary films. It also includes some fact boxes and short articles in drop-down menus. At the end of each module, you will find “Questions for reflection” and the section “Additional resources” that contains additional case studies and analyses. The course, whether in full or in parts, can be applied alone or as a basis for group discussions.

If you don’t finish the course in one session, you can continue later from the same computer and browser you are using now.

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