Genocide & Ethnic Conflict ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course critically examines the social, political, and economic factors contributing to genocide and ethnic conflict in the past and present. Students will study the evolution of genocide as a global issue, analyzing key events such as the Holocaust (Nazi Germany), Khmer Rouge (Cambodia), and ethic genocides (Rwanda). They will also examine ongoing ethnic tensions and mass atrocities affecting Indigenous populations and other vulnerable groups. Through primary and secondary source analysis, students will develop a nuanced understanding of genocide and the international community’s response to these events. The course explores the legacies of nationalism and colonialism, and how economic inequalities perpetuate ethnic conflict. Finally, it considers strategies for genocide prevention.