SOC6053 - Genocide Studies

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

This module provides students with a critical introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Genocide Studies. Students will be introduced to foundational theories within the field. They will explore case studies relating to historical and contemporary instances of genocide, and interrogate the memorialisation of genocide across a range of contexts. They will also evaluate international legal mechanisms of genocide prevention.

Some of the themes the module will address include: the relationship of genocide to cognate categories in international legal discourse (e.g. crimes against humanity, war crimes, ‘ethnic cleansing’); sociological, criminological and social-psychological approaches to perpetration; the ‘aftermath’ of genocide; and the emerging concept of ecocide.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: 20

Workshop
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: 20

Guided independent study
Hours: 260

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 – Case study report – The first assessment will identify a case study from a list provided by the module lead. The student will present an account of the historical context of their chosen case, the various social and political forces which led to genocide in the particular instance of their case, and an account of the issues surrounding the memorialisation of their chosen case. The report is a practical document with a clear purpose/objective(s) and written for a specific audience. It involves presenting and analysing information and evidence applied to a particular issue or problem with the aim of disseminating knowledge. The report therefore offers students an opportunity to engage with their chosen case or issue in-depth and to practise their research, analytical and writing skills, all of which have a professional relevance to a range of work contexts.

Assessment 2 - Negotiated essay – the second assessment will take the form of an extended essay. The topic and themes of the essay will be negotiated in dialogue with the module leader. The student will be required to focus on a topic of their choosing in relation to the module content that critically examines an issue related to genocide. Students will demonstrate their engagement with the material of the module by examining the historical, cultural, political, and ethical debates and implications of their chosen issue. They are expected to draw on case studies, as well as theoretical frameworks introduced during the module.

Assessment:

001 Case study report; 2,500 words; end of semester 1 50%
002 Negotiated essay; 2,500 words; end of semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Thomas Naden
Level - 6
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6YL

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