Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 228-2"
COURSE NAME: "Genocide"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lyal Sunga
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment on Teams Meetings

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course examines such violent forms of identity politics as ethnic cleansing and genocide in an international and historical perspective. The program covers the genocides in Europe against the Jews and Roma, in Armenia, the Balkans, the Ukraine, Cambodia, Rwanda, and the Darfur region.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course critically examines the definition of genocide, the origins, status and role of international legal norms prohibiting it, genocide in the context of removal of indigenous populations in the Americas, colonial domination, massacres of Armenians in 1915, the Holocaust, the Holodomor, the contribution of Rafael Lemkin and the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the situations in East Pakistan / Bangladesh, Cambodia, Argentina, Guatemala, Iraq, former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, East Timor, Darfur, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Central African Republic, Syria and Myanmar, the role of the Nuremberg and Tokyo International Military Tribunals, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and national courts. Such issues as ‘cultural genocide’, incitement to commit genocide, the role of media, State responsibility for genocide, women and children as victims and perpetrators of genocide, the responsibility to protect doctrine, and the role of the United Nations, International Court of Justice, Governments, non-governmental organizations and media in preventing genocide will also be covered. The course, broadly following the structure below, will be adjusted as the course progresses to fit time constraints.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Solid introductory level knowledge of what is and what is not genocide
Appreciation of social, economic and political root causes of genocide
Enhanced analytical capacity to identify and analyze situations involving genocidal situations
Strengthened research, writing and presentation skills on genocide-related issues

Development of argumentation skills on current genocide issues.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm exam	Exam comprising several essay questions Due Tuesday 5 October 2021	20%
Research Outline	Timely Submission of Topic, Outline and Concept of the Research Paper (2-3 pages) Due Tuesday 12 October 2021 for approval by instructor by e-mail	10%
Research Paper	10 to 12-page paper on a human rights issue of around 4000 words / with clear, accurate and complete footnotes / Due Sunday 21 November 2021	30%
Final Examination	Comprehensive exam essay questions: Exam period 6-10 December 2021	40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE